CollectionsFeb 17, 2023
Piece of the Week: NeverNot’s ‘Beach Escape’ NecklaceCollectionsFeb 24, 2023
Piece of the Week: A Pair of Cufflinks Jimmy Carter Wore
The 39th president and longtime humanitarian donned these Oscar Heyman-made American flags when he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
New York—On Feb. 18, The Carter Center announced that Jimmy Carter, the longest-living president in U.S. history, had entered hospice care.
Born and raised in the small town of Plains, Georgia, the 98-year-old Carter served as a Georgia state senator and governor before winning the Democratic Party’s nomination for president in 1976 and, ultimately, defeating incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford.
He served a single term, from 1977 to 1981, but lost his bid for re-election to Ronald Reagan.
In 1982, Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, opened The Carter Center in Atlanta in partnership with Emory University.
The center works to prevent and resolve conflicts, improve health, and enhance democracy worldwide, with the Carters personally dedicating years to flying around the globe to monitor elections, fight tropical diseases, and promote progress in developing countries.
The former president and first lady also have worked as Habitat for Humanity volunteers for more than three decades.
Born and raised in the small town of Plains, Georgia, the 98-year-old Carter served as a Georgia state senator and governor before winning the Democratic Party’s nomination for president in 1976 and, ultimately, defeating incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford.
He served a single term, from 1977 to 1981, but lost his bid for re-election to Ronald Reagan.
In 1982, Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, opened The Carter Center in Atlanta in partnership with Emory University.
The center works to prevent and resolve conflicts, improve health, and enhance democracy worldwide, with the Carters personally dedicating years to flying around the globe to monitor elections, fight tropical diseases, and promote progress in developing countries.
The former president and first lady also have worked as Habitat for Humanity volunteers for more than three decades.
For what The Norwegian Nobel Committee described as his “decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development,” Carter was granted the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
He wore these Oscar Heyman cufflinks when accepting the award in Oslo, Norway.
First designed around 1940, Oscar Heyman’s American flag cufflinks feature 56 square rubies totaling 1.98 carats, 26 baguette-cut diamonds (0.96 carats), 10 square sapphires (0.79 carats), and 10 round diamonds (0.12 carats).
The jewelry house said it sold this particular pair to a store in 1994, and they subsequently were gifted to Carter.
It got the cufflinks back, along with the note for authenticity (both pictured above in a post from the @oscarheyman Instagram account), around the time the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston published a book on the company’s history. “Oscar Heyman: The Jewelers’ Jeweler,” came out in April 2017.
Oscar Heyman said it was told Carter had written the note so the cufflinks could be auctioned off one day.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Collections
The Latest
CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
MajorsFeb 13, 2026
JFC Announces New BeneficiariesThe nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
MajorsFeb 12, 2026
These 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Stores Are ClosingParent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.
Weekly QuizFeb 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingFeb 12, 2026
‘Cotton Candy’ Necklace, 35-Carat Kunzite Win 2025 ‘Buyer’s Choice’ AwardsThe AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge “Buyer’s Choice” award winners were announced at the Spectrum Awards Gala last week.
Events & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused AwardThe “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilThe event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
Events & AwardsFeb 11, 2026
TJS Announces Roundtable, Launches New AppRegistration is now open for The Jewelry Symposium, set to take place in Detroit from May 16-19.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
At Meeting in South Africa, Support for Natural Diamonds Picks Up Steam Namibia has formally signed the Luanda Accord, while two key industry organizations pledged to join the Natural Diamond Council.
TrendsFeb 10, 2026
Bad Bunny Wears Football-Shaped ‘Desert Diamond’ for Halftime PerformanceLady Gaga, Cardi B, and Karol G also went with diamond jewelry for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show honoring Puerto Rico.
SurveysFeb 10, 2026
Shoppers to Spend Big on Jewelry This Valentine’s Day, Says NRFJewelry is expected to be the No. 1 gift this year in terms of dollars spent.
FinancialsFeb 10, 2026
Kering Plans Transformation as 2025 Sales Sink 13%As star brand Gucci continues to struggle, the luxury titan plans to announce a new roadmap to return to growth.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
AGTA To Debut ‘Stuller Color of the Year’ Spectrum Awards CategoryThe new category asks entrants for “exceptional” interpretations of the supplier’s 2026 color of the year, which is “Signature Red.”
Policies & IssuesFeb 09, 2026
U.S., India Trade Deal One Step Closer to Being FinalizedThe White House issued an official statement on the deal, which will eliminate tariffs on loose natural diamonds and gemstones from India.
Events & AwardsFeb 09, 2026
JA Now Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsEntries for the jewelry design competition will be accepted through March 20.
IndependentsFeb 09, 2026
James Free Jewelers Unveils Revamped FlagshipThe Ohio jeweler’s new layout features a curated collection of brand boutiques to promote storytelling and host in-store events.
TrendsFeb 09, 2026
These 14 Jewels Will Melt Your Heart This Valentine’s DayFrom heart motifs to pink pearls, Valentine’s Day is filled with jewelry imbued with love.
CrimeFeb 06, 2026
Florida Man Sentenced After Selling Fake Native American Jewelry for a Decade Prosecutors say the man attended arts and craft fairs claiming he was a third-generation jeweler who was a member of the Pueblo tribe.
FinancialsFeb 06, 2026
Pandora’s North America GM Departs Amid Executive ChangesNew CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier shared her priorities for the Danish jewelry company this year as part of its fourth-quarter results.
TrendsFeb 06, 2026
Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi Wear Matching Cece Jewellery Signet RingsOur Piece of the Week picks are these bespoke rings the “Wuthering Heights” stars have been spotted wearing during the film’s press tour.
MajorsFeb 05, 2026
Pandora to Begin Selling Platinum-Plated JewelryThe introduction of platinum plating will reduce its reliance on silver amid volatile price swings, said Pandora.
SourcingFeb 05, 2026
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2026, Anglo Mulls Another WritedownIt would be the third impairment charge in three years on De Beers Group, which continues to grapple with a “challenging” diamond market.
