Events & AwardsAug 21, 2023
MJSA Education Foundation Awards $10,000 in Scholarships Policies & IssuesAug 22, 2023
Columbia Gem House To Hold Wildlife Fundraiser
Donations will benefit nonprofit CRRIFS, which supports the protection and conservation of native wildlife in Mexico.
Columbia Gem House will be donating gems to participants of this year’s MJSA design challenge. The winning pieces will be auctioned off at the fundraiser to benefit CRRIFS, a nonprofit that supports the protection and conservation of native wildlife in Mexico.
Vancouver, Wash.—Mining company Columbia Gem House has partnered with nonprofit CRRIFS for a fundraiser supporting wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and research along the Sonoran Coast of Mexico.
Based in Mexico, CRRIFS’ mission is to support the protection and conservation of the country’s native wildlife.
The “Jewelry for Wildlife” fundraiser will be hosted in conjunction with the 2023 MJSA Responsibly Sourced Design Challenge, an annual contest in which designers are provided with a fictional story they must integrate into a custom jewelry design. This year’s story features a newly divorced mother of two starting a new chapter in her life.
As it has for the past two years, Columbia Gem House will donate the gemstones.
The following designers were selected to participate:
Amelia Mickelsen of Amelia Ray Jewelry;
Andres Cardenas-Whorton of Nobles Metales;
Claudia Gutsch of Goldammer Jewelry;
Hannah Smythe of Toast Fine Jewelry;
Kindred Lubeck of Jewels by Lubeck;
Liz Stefany of Carrabassett Valley Jewelry;
Megan Cochran of Megan Cochran Jewelry;
Olivia Shih of Olivia Shih Designs; and
Stephanie Maslow Blackman of Metalicious Jewelry
Voting for the challenge opens Oct. 1.
Winning pieces will be raffled off with 100 percent of sales donated to CRRIFS in support of its 2024 goal of building a saltwater tank for sea turtle rehabilitation. Its goal is to sell 500 tickets.
Along with sea turtle conservation, CRRIFS’ various programs help support the native wildlife that relies on the same ecosystem as Cortez Pearl oysters, which produce Cortez Pearls — one of the featured gems in this year's project. Other gems include “grape” garnet, neon green beryl, and tourmaline.
Tulsa, Oklahoma-based designer Cady Carlson Dill won last year’s design contest. The 2022 fundraiser raised $7,000 for New York–based nonprofit Nest and its Makers United program.
Related stories will be right here …
Based in Mexico, CRRIFS’ mission is to support the protection and conservation of the country’s native wildlife.
The “Jewelry for Wildlife” fundraiser will be hosted in conjunction with the 2023 MJSA Responsibly Sourced Design Challenge, an annual contest in which designers are provided with a fictional story they must integrate into a custom jewelry design. This year’s story features a newly divorced mother of two starting a new chapter in her life.
As it has for the past two years, Columbia Gem House will donate the gemstones.
The following designers were selected to participate:
Amelia Mickelsen of Amelia Ray Jewelry;
Andres Cardenas-Whorton of Nobles Metales;
Claudia Gutsch of Goldammer Jewelry;
Hannah Smythe of Toast Fine Jewelry;
Kindred Lubeck of Jewels by Lubeck;
Liz Stefany of Carrabassett Valley Jewelry;
Megan Cochran of Megan Cochran Jewelry;
Olivia Shih of Olivia Shih Designs; and
Stephanie Maslow Blackman of Metalicious Jewelry
Voting for the challenge opens Oct. 1.
Winning pieces will be raffled off with 100 percent of sales donated to CRRIFS in support of its 2024 goal of building a saltwater tank for sea turtle rehabilitation. Its goal is to sell 500 tickets.
Along with sea turtle conservation, CRRIFS’ various programs help support the native wildlife that relies on the same ecosystem as Cortez Pearl oysters, which produce Cortez Pearls — one of the featured gems in this year's project. Other gems include “grape” garnet, neon green beryl, and tourmaline.
Tulsa, Oklahoma-based designer Cady Carlson Dill won last year’s design contest. The 2022 fundraiser raised $7,000 for New York–based nonprofit Nest and its Makers United program.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Weekly QuizFeb 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
SourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing WorkersOwners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.
MajorsFeb 27, 2026
Jewelers Mutual to Donate $10M to Savannah College of Art and DesignA 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.
CollectionsFeb 27, 2026
Renato Cipullo Turns Gold into HardstonesThe “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”
AuctionsFeb 26, 2026
Noonans to Auction Lady Wardington’s JewelryThe jewelry collection belonged to “one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century,” said the auction house.
SourcingFeb 26, 2026
Anglo American CEO Gives Insight Into De Beers SaleThe update came as Anglo took its third write-down on the diamond miner and marketer, which lost more than $500 million in 2025.
ColumnistsFeb 26, 2026
Practical Ways Jewelers Can Leverage AI in 2026Emmanuel Raheb discusses the rise of “GEO” and the importance of having well-written, quality content on your website.
CrimeFeb 26, 2026
Three Sentenced in California Jewelry HeistEach received around four years for burglarizing a jewelry store and a coffee shop in Simi Valley, California, last May.
Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2026
GIA Names 2026 Jewelry Design Contest Winner, Retires Annual AwardCatherine Aulick, a GIA graduate, received the ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
TrendsFeb 25, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
EditorsFeb 25, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
PodcastsFeb 25, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
WatchesFeb 25, 2026
Private Equity Firms Write Down Value of Breitling, Report SaysThe Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2026
Rahaminov Diamonds’ New Campaign Honors Its MatriarchThe campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.
IndependentsFeb 25, 2026
Borsheims Names 2025 ‘Ike-It’ Award WinnerRachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Sherry Smith Now Principal Partner at The Retail SmithsThe industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.
