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.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
AuctionsSep 17, 2025
Mythical Set of Patek Philippe Pocket Watches Expected to Sell for $10M+A set of four Patek Philippe “Star Caliber 2000” pocket watches is part of Sotheby’s upcoming auction in Abu Dhabi.
TrendsSep 17, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s Book Tells the ‘Journey of a Jeweler’The Brazilian jeweler’s latest book marks her namesake brand’s 25th anniversary and tells the tale of her worldwide collaborations.
WatchesSep 17, 2025
Bob’s Watches Acquires Vintage Rolex Won on ‘The Price is Right’ The Submariner Ref. 1680 with a Tiffany & Co. dial came from the original owner, who won it as a prize on the game show in the 1970s.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
TechnologySep 17, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Launches Shipping Solution App for Shopify The new integration allows users to manage shipments directly from the Shopify dashboard.
Weekly QuizSep 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsSep 16, 2025
Out & About: 7 Great Quotes From Converge in CarlsbadAt Converge 2025, Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff attended sessions on DEI, tariffs, security, and more. Here are her top takeaways.
CrimeSep 16, 2025
2 Robbery Suspects Killed in California Pawn Shop ShootoutSix people were shot last week at an Oakland cash-for-gold shop as employees exchanged gunfire with individuals trying to rob the store.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
CollectionsSep 16, 2025
Chopard Adds New Designs to Its ‘Ice Cube’ Capsule CollectionThe jeweler has expanded its high jewelry offering, which launched last year, with new pieces featuring its cube motif that debuted in 1999.
EditorsSep 15, 2025
Skipping the Necklace, Embracing Snakes: The Best Jewelry From the 2025 Emmy AwardsAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco shares eight of her favorite jewelry looks from the 77th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, held Sunday night.
SurveysSep 15, 2025
Resilient Shoppers to Boost Holiday Retail Sales, Says DeloitteIt’s predicting a rise in retail sales this holiday season despite economic uncertainty and elevated inflation.
SourcingSep 15, 2025
AGTA Elects 8 Members to Board of Directors The newly elected directors will officially take office in February 2026 and will be introduced at the organization’s membership meeting.
EditorsSep 12, 2025
Out & About: Mining Sapphires in Rock Creek, MontanaAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore headed out West for a visit to Potentate Mining’s operation hosted by gemstone wholesaler Parlé Gems.
TrendsSep 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Arunashi’s Fordite and Rhodolite EarringsFordite is a man-made material created from the layers of dried enamel paint that dripped onto the floors of automotive factories.
Events & AwardsSep 12, 2025
Al Gilbertson Wins 2025 Robert M. Shipley AwardGilbertson has worked as a researcher, jeweler, lapidary artist, appraiser, and business owner throughout his decades in the industry.
Policies & IssuesSep 11, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case in November A decision likely won’t come until January 2026 at the earliest, and the tariffs remain in effect until then.
MajorsSep 11, 2025
Tabayer Opens Nordstrom Shop-In-ShopLocated in the revamped jewelry hall at the retailer’s New York City flagship, this opening is Tabayer’s first shop-in-shop.
SourcingSep 11, 2025
Need to Sell More Natural Diamonds? De Beers Has an App for ThatThe new, free app offers accessible educational content, like games and podcasts, for U.S. retailers.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
Stuller to Swap Gold Scrap for Full Credit to AccountAs the gold price rises, the manufacturer is offering a 100 percent payout through Sept. 30 for gold clean scrap.
SourcingSep 10, 2025
Tech Meets Style in the New Loewe x Jacob & Co. HeadphonesJacob & Co. partnered with the German technology company on two pairs of headphones, one set with diamonds and the other with sapphires.
TrendsSep 10, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Archival Jewels Bring Life to ‘Frankenstein’Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 “Frankenstein” will feature 27 jewels and objects from the storied brand, including pieces from its archives.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe Waldorf Astoria New York’s grand reopening this past summer means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event.
SourcingSep 09, 2025
Anglo American to Merge With Canadian Copper Miner Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
‘The Mellon Blue’ to Return to Auction, This Time at Christie’s The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
Phillips Names Dianne Batista Head of Jewels, New YorkThe industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.
MajorsSep 09, 2025
MJSA Education Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersThe nonprofit awarded four students pursuing a professional career in jewelry making and design with $2,250 each.
IndependentsSep 08, 2025
Take a Look Inside the New Korman Store in AustinThe Texas-based jeweler has also undergone a brand refresh, debuting a new website and logo.
