CollectionsJun 09, 2023
Piece of the Week: Mateo ‘After the Storm’ EarringsCollectionsJun 16, 2023
Piece of the Week: An Opal Pendant Honoring the ‘Grandmother’ of Juneteenth
Zales and Kay Jewelers created a pendant inspired by Opal Lee, an activist who advocated for Juneteenth to become a federal holiday.
Zales and Kay Jewelers are joining in on Juneteenth celebrations with the debut of a special pendant.
Parent company Signet Jewelers teamed up with the Black Employee Network BRG to honor Opal Lee, known as the “grandmother” of Juneteenth.
The day commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, celebrating the day in 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger freed the slaves in Texas.
Lee, a retired teacher, was a vocal activist in the movement to make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday, which came to fruition in 2021.
Lee, now 96, and her supporters still take an annual 2.5-mile walk, called Opal’s Walk for Freedom, in honor of the two-and-a-half years it took for news of freedom to reach enslaved people in Texas.
The sterling silver sunburst pendant is set with a lab-grown black opal cabochon, surrounded by a 10-karat yellow gold band and a halo of lab-grown white sapphires.
The opal is said to represent “vibrant light and color emerging from darkness.” A star-shaped backplate, a nod to Texas, reads “1865” with a “Juneteenth” tag by the clasp.
The pendant retails for $149 and is available online on Zales and Kay Jewelers’ websites.
From June 1 through July 31, a percentage of sales from the pendant, $30 per necklace, will be donated to the Black in Jewelry Coalition, an organization that promotes the advancement of Black professionals in the gem, jewelry, and watch industries.
Related stories will be right here …
Parent company Signet Jewelers teamed up with the Black Employee Network BRG to honor Opal Lee, known as the “grandmother” of Juneteenth.
The day commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, celebrating the day in 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger freed the slaves in Texas.
Lee, a retired teacher, was a vocal activist in the movement to make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday, which came to fruition in 2021.
Lee, now 96, and her supporters still take an annual 2.5-mile walk, called Opal’s Walk for Freedom, in honor of the two-and-a-half years it took for news of freedom to reach enslaved people in Texas.
Opal Lee, a retired teacher, was a vital voice in the movement to honor Juneteenth as a federally recognized holiday. (Image courtesy of Opal’s Walk for Freedom)
The sterling silver sunburst pendant is set with a lab-grown black opal cabochon, surrounded by a 10-karat yellow gold band and a halo of lab-grown white sapphires.
The opal is said to represent “vibrant light and color emerging from darkness.” A star-shaped backplate, a nod to Texas, reads “1865” with a “Juneteenth” tag by the clasp.
The pendant retails for $149 and is available online on Zales and Kay Jewelers’ websites.
From June 1 through July 31, a percentage of sales from the pendant, $30 per necklace, will be donated to the Black in Jewelry Coalition, an organization that promotes the advancement of Black professionals in the gem, jewelry, and watch industries.
More on Collections
The Latest
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Gesswein Hires Longtime Bench Jeweler, Educator Ann CahoonCahoon was appointed strategic account and educational program manager at Gesswein, which recently joined Continental Buying Group.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Amanda Seyfried Stars In Tiffany & Co.’s Holiday CampaignTiffany & Co.’s latest ambassador makes her debut in its “Love Is a Gift” holiday campaign.
Weekly QuizOct 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsOct 28, 2026
These Wicked Jewels Will Cast a Spell on YouFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow highlights bewitching jewels fit for a witch that go from day to unholy night.
CrimeOct 28, 2026
Man In Florida Who Swallowed Tiffany & Co. Earrings ConvictedJaythan Gilder was found guilty of robbery and grand theft after stealing and then ingesting nearly $800,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
SurveysOct 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Up in October as Gas Prices EaseConsumer confidence remains on the long-term downward trend that’s persisted over the past few years, said a Conference Board economist.
MajorsOct 28, 2026
Stuller’s Holiday Campaign Lets the ‘Magic of the Moment’ ShineThe holiday campaign includes key jewelry trends, a curated holiday gift guide, and resources to help jewelers prepare for holiday shoppers.
SourcingOct 27, 2026
De Beers Celebrates the Holidays With New ‘Desert Diamonds’ CampaignThe “Icons” holiday campaign spotlights four classic diamond jewelry styles reimagined in “Desert Diamond” tones.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Solomon Brothers Acquires Mervis Diamond ImportersSolomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Gabriel & Co. Supports Charity Partner DKMS With Gala, New JewelsThe fine jewelry brand raised $2.3 million at its annual gala that supports the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2026
JFC Announces 2027 ‘Facets’ HonoreesThe annual fundraising event is slated for June 6, 2027, at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.
MajorsOct 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Takes Consumers Behind the ScenesThe jeweler gave the public backstage tours of its flagship store and its design and innovation workshop as part of LVMH’s open house.
Events & AwardsOct 26, 2026
Support JFC’s ‘Monster Mash Challenge,’ If You DareVote for which jewelry professional should dress up as a monster to support Jewelers for Children’s annual Halloween fundraiser.
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
