To Celebrate 110 Years, Ben Bridge Donates $110K
The organization awarded grants to 11 programs in Washington State and California.

The Seattle, Washington-headquartered fine jeweler has awarded $10,000 grants to 11 programs operating throughout the Pacific Northwest and California.
The common thread among them is that each program focuses on education and leadership.
A special panel convened to choose the 11 grant recipients from a pool of 40 applicants, selecting a diverse pool of leadership development initiatives.
“Ben Bridge has always been about diversity,” said Ben Bridge President and CEO Lisa Bridge.
“For our 110th anniversary, we wanted to celebrate by investing in the next generation of diverse leaders. We are proud of the communities we serve and want to ensure a strong, vibrant, and equitable next 110 years.”
The 11 grant recipients are as follows.
Athletes for Kids in Bellevue, Washington partners high school athletes with children who have disabilities and special needs. The program promotes acceptance and inclusion through mentorship.
Also located in Bellevue, the Bellevue Schools Foundation supports K-12 initiatives throughout Washington State. The organization has funded more than $25 million of programming that local, state, and federal funding doesn’t provide.
Based in the Seattle area, Black Coffee Northwest Grounded is a youth leadership program that supports middle and high school students, providing safe spaces to study after school and academic tutoring. Services are free for students.
The Black in Jewelry Coalition has partnered with the North Seattle College Watch Technology Program. The two organizations are aiming to create a more diverse next generation of watchmakers.
In Los Angeles, Homeboy Industries is billed as the world’s most extensive gang rehabilitation and re-entry programs. Founded more than 30 years ago, the organization helps former gang members and previously incarcerated people become contributing members of their communities.
Impact Public School prepares students to succeed in college. Based in the south Puget Sound area in Washington, the organization also advocates for public polices that will close the opportunity gap, allowing all students to succeed regardless of their backgrounds.
Also in Puget Sound, the Journeyman Institute of Puget Sound mentors boys through nature-based activities and community engagement to create a more caring and healthy community.
The Tacoma Urban League has existed since the civil rights movement. Today, it is still dedicated to assisting African Americans, other ethnic minorities and economically disadvantaged people reach economic independence and social equality.
Team Read aims to empower youth through reading and leadership development skills. The organization wants to create educational equity and is implementing anti-racist practices.
Red Tail Hawks Flying Club of the Pacific Northwest introduces youths to aviation, teaching practical applications of STEM skills and promoting diversity in the aviation world. The organization is headquartered in Washington State.
YMCA Seattle of King and Snohomish Counties focuses on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
The Latest

The stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.

The 22.09-carat fancy yellow “Pragnell Kimberley Sunshine Diamond” is part of the fall jewelry sale at Heritage Auctions.

“Adornos: Jewelry, Memory & What We Pass Down” honors the jewelry’s importance to New York City’s Latine communities.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

The company’s managing director of sales said the results demonstrate “continued strong demand for commercial-quality emeralds.”


The nonprofit awarded a grant to the Gift of Sight initiative spearheaded by South African musician Black Coffee.

The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

The jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.

Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.

Alberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.

The “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.

Four directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.

Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.

The jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.

The Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.

The auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.

Fine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.

Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.

Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.

With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.

Laughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.

Gretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.

The California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.

A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.

The auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.

Zaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.

























