IndependentsNov 09, 2022
Relief Fund Reopened for Jewelers Impacted by Hurricane IanSourcingOct 24, 2022
This Jewelry Auction Is Raising Money for BIPOC Makers
It features the jewels submitted to MJSA’s Responsibly Sourced Design Challenge.
This pendant from Sandrine Valentine of Sandrine B. Jewelry is one of the pieces up for bidding in Columbia Gem House’s fundraising auction with nonprofit Nest to support emerging BIPOC jewelry makers.
New York—Colored stone supplier Columbia Gem House has launched its annual fundraising auction, with this year’s benefitting emerging BIPOC jewelry makers.
The colored stone company is partnering with nonprofit organization Nest, which supports the growth and engagement of the artisan and makers market economy to build greater gender equity and economic inclusion.
One hundred percent of proceeds from the auction will go toward Nest’s Jewelers United program, part of its Makers United initiative, which is focused on elevating BIPOC artisans and providing market access to ensure the maker movement in the United States is open to everyone regardless of gender, race, means, or ability.
The auction is comprised of the jewels submitted to MJSA’s Responsibly Sourced Design Challenge.
The challenge asks jewelers to design a piece based on a fictional scenario they’ve been given. This year’s prompt was to create a piece for a woman who had been adopted and wants to learn more about her background.
David Thorp of Mercurius Jewelry created this bracelet available for purchase through Columbia Gem House's auction.
Participating designers used seven gemstones donated by Columbia Gem House in their pieces. The company donated Oregon sunstone, Montana sapphire, Australian sapphire, and Brazilian citrine.
The designers who participated in the challenge and donated their work are as follows.
--Nashira Arnó, designer and owner of Nashira Arnó Studio in New York City and a previous Jewelers United award recipient;
--Kaelin Cordis, owner of Kaelin Design in Rogers, Arkansas;
--Lauren Davidson, owner of Ellie Air Jewellery in Dorset, United Kingdom;
--Cady Carlson Dill, owner of Cady Carlson Designs in Tulsa, Oklahoma;
--Jamie Hollier, owner of Balefire Goods in Arvada, Colorado;
--Kimi Kaplowitz, owner of Theeth Jewelry in Portland, Oregon;
--David Thorp, co-owner of Mercurius Jewelry in Oakland, California; and
--Sandrine Valentine, owner of Sandrine B. Jewelry in New York City.
--Nashira Arnó, designer and owner of Nashira Arnó Studio in New York City and a previous Jewelers United award recipient;
--Kaelin Cordis, owner of Kaelin Design in Rogers, Arkansas;
--Lauren Davidson, owner of Ellie Air Jewellery in Dorset, United Kingdom;
--Cady Carlson Dill, owner of Cady Carlson Designs in Tulsa, Oklahoma;
--Jamie Hollier, owner of Balefire Goods in Arvada, Colorado;
--Kimi Kaplowitz, owner of Theeth Jewelry in Portland, Oregon;
--David Thorp, co-owner of Mercurius Jewelry in Oakland, California; and
--Sandrine Valentine, owner of Sandrine B. Jewelry in New York City.
Auction pieces are available to for bidding now through Nov. 8 on the Columbia Gem House website.
Winning bidders will receive a book celebrating the designers and sharing the stories behind each piece.
Voting for the MJSA Design Challenge winner is also still open on its website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
PodcastsMay 20, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Medal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
