Columbia Gem House Opens Jewelry Raffle for Wildlife Fundraiser
Tickets are on sale now and all proceeds go to sea turtle rehabilitation.

The mining company is raising money for CRRIFS, a nonprofit that supports wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and research along the Sonoran Coast of Mexico. Its mission is to support the protection and conservation of the country’s native wildlife.
All raffle ticket sales will be donated to support CRRIFS in its 2024 goal of building a saltwater tank for sea turtle rehabilitation.
Like the year before, the miner is hosting its fundraiser in conjunction with the 2023 MJSA Responsibly Sourced Design Challenge, an annual contest in which designers are given a fictional story to integrate into a custom jewelry design.
The jewelry in this year’s raffle was designed by the following contest participants:
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
Columbia Gem House donated the gemstones used in the designs.
This year’s offerings include “grape” garnet, neon green beryl, tourmaline, and Cortez Pearls—a special addition, because CRRIFS’ programs help support the native wildlife that relies on the same ecosystem as Cortez Pearl oysters.
Only 100 raffle tickets are available for each piece of jewelry. Tickets are $25, and there is no purchase limit. Shoppers can view the jewelry and purchase tickets on Columbia Gem House’s website.
Ticket sales began on Sunday and will run through Oct. 31, or until all tickets are sold.
The raffle is open to shoppers worldwide, but some exclusions apply based on shipping restrictions.
Winners will be randomly selected and notified via email by Nov. 7. Winners will be required to respond within 48 hours with a shipping address or the item will default to the next randomly selected winner.
The Latest

The singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.

The bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.

The heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.


The Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.

The historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

To mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.

The gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.

Founder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.

If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.

The top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.

Gizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.

Luca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.

Following visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.

The “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.

The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.

The New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.

Take a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.

The one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.

The California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.

Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.

The foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.

Assimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.

The De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”