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 jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.

Sotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.

As gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.

A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.


From Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.

The revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

The miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.

The “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.

This year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.

Three-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.

Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.

These up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.

The lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.

This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.

High-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

The designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

The trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.

The Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.

Bring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.

The deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.

The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.

The “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.

The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.

Everett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.




























