Policies & Issues

Columbia Gem House Opens Jewelry Raffle for Wildlife Fundraiser

Policies & IssuesOct 04, 2023

Columbia Gem House Opens Jewelry Raffle for Wildlife Fundraiser

Tickets are on sale now and all proceeds go to sea turtle rehabilitation.

CRRIFS nonprofit
For its 2023 “Jewelry for Wildlife” fundraiser, Columbia Gem House is raising money for Mexico-based wildlife nonprofit CRRIFS.
Vancouver, Wash.—Columbia Gem House’s “Jewelry for Wildlife” fundraiser is taking the form of a raffle this year. Nine designers have donated jewelry, each valued at $2,500, for the event. 

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. 

 Related stories will be right here … 

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

Diamonds Direct Atlanta store
MajorsJul 26, 2024
Diamonds Direct Opens Store in Atlanta

It’s the Signet-owned banner’s first location in Georgia.

Bea Bongiasca’s Double Loop Earrings
TrendsJul 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Double Loop’ Earrings

Commemorate “brat summer” with these green hoops.

Stock image of Providence, Rhode Island, skyline
EditorsJul 26, 2024
Out & About: A Dispatch from the Nation’s Smallest State

Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff returns from Rhode Island with thoughts about in-store shopping and a trends report.

Untitled design.jpg
Brought to you by
The End of an Era? Lab-Grown Diamonds' Journey Towards Price Stability

As the demand for lab-grown diamond jewelry may still be increasing, the most notable change we are likely to see is price stabilization.

Supplier BulletinJul 25, 2024
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional Edition

Sponsored by Gemological Institute of America

Weekly QuizJul 25, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Amazon package outside door
TechnologyJul 25, 2024
Amazon, BBB Sue Website Allegedly Peddling Fake Reviews

They claim ReviewServiceUSA.com was selling both positive and negative reviews of products and businesses.

De Beers’ Venetia diamond mine
SourcingJul 25, 2024
De Beers’ H1 Revenue Falls 21% in ‘Weak’ Market

Lab-grown diamond sales in the United States and ongoing economic challenges in China are impacting natural diamond demand.

1872 x 1052 Gemolite.jpg
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional Edition

GIA®’s most advanced microscope has new features to optimize greater precision and comfort.

IndependentsJul 25, 2024
Store Designer Ruth Mellergaard Dies

A longtime member of IJO, she’s remembered for her passion for design, learning, and environmentalism.

Pomellato Malachite Pom Pom Dot bracelet
FinancialsJul 25, 2024
Boucheron, Pomellato Post Double-Digit Growth in Q2

The gains come amid a tough time for parent company Kering, which saw sales slide 11 percent in the first half of the year.

Shane Co. and the Kids in Need foundation logo
MajorsJul 25, 2024
Shane Co. Partners With Kids In Need Foundation to Donate 7,200 Backpacks

The fine jewelry retailer filled backpacks with back-to-school essentials for students in 13 states.

Bulgari high jewelry campaign
FinancialsJul 24, 2024
LVMH’s First-Half Jewelry, Watch Sales Dip 5%

Tiffany & Co. is focusing on its “iconic” collections while the company has made changes at the top at TAG Heuer and Hublot.

Chaumet Paris 2024 Olympics medals
MajorsJul 24, 2024
See Chaumet’s Paris Olympic Medals Inspired by its High Jewelry

The Parisian brand is the first jewelry company in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to design the medals.

Jewelers Mutual and Union Life and Casualty logos
MajorsJul 24, 2024
Jewelers Mutual Acquires Pawnbroker Insurance Provider

Union Life & Casualty will join JM Insurance Agency Partners, expanding the provider’s pawnbroker coverage.

Bradlei Smith
MajorsJul 24, 2024
Ben Bridge Announces 2024 Lonia Tate Scholarship Winner

Los Angeles-based Bradlei Smith was selected for this year’s award.

National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsJul 23, 2024
Peter Smith: The Case for Optimism in Sales

In his latest column, Smith shares multiple reasons why people who look at the glass as being hall full often make better salespeople.

De Beers rough diamond display
SourcingJul 23, 2024
De Beers’ Production Drops 15% in Q2

The company also reported the $150 million sale of an iron ore royalty right, part of its ongoing effort to divest “non-core” assets.

Long’s Jewelers giveaway promo
IndependentsJul 23, 2024
Long’s Jewelers Is Giving Away a Luxury Cape Cod Vacation

The giveaway is part of the New England jeweler’s summer bridal event.

Sophia Moreno-Bunge of Isa Isa modeling Guzema’s Hidden Beauty collection
CollectionsJul 23, 2024
Guzema Debuts ‘Flower Power’ Campaign

The ad features three celebrity florists creating floral sculptures while wearing jewelry by Guzema.

Ghazi “Gus” Michel Osta
CrimeJul 22, 2024
Florida Jeweler Shot, Killed Following Argument With Customer

Ghazi Michel Osta, or “Gus,” was killed Friday by an 83-year-old man said to be a frequent customer at his store, Volusia Gold & Diamond.

Karen Rentmeesters
SourcingJul 22, 2024
AWDC Names Karen Rentmeesters as CEO

Rentmeesters has served as interim CEO since April following former CEO Ari Epstein’s resignation.

Brian and Jessie Mann
IndependentsJul 19, 2024
Longtime D.C. Jeweler Brian Mann Dies at 70

Mann, whose family’s jewelry store was located inside the Pentagon, is remembered for being a thoughtful champion of the industry.

Tudor store in Denver
IndependentsJul 19, 2024
The 1916 Company Opens New Tudor Boutique

The 500-square-foot boutique is located in Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center.

Messika’s So Move Max Necklace
CollectionsJul 19, 2024
Piece of the Week: Messika’s ‘So Move Max’ Necklace

Dance all night long with the “So Move Max” set’s necklace.

Julien Tornare and Antoine Pin
WatchesJul 18, 2024
TAG Heuer, Hublot Will Have New CEOs

Luxury giant LVMH is reshuffling the leadership in its watches division.

Etsy billboard rendering in NYC
MajorsJul 18, 2024
New Etsy Campaign Prioritizes Creators Amid Backlash

Sellers and shoppers have spoken out against a rise in mass-produced merchandise on the platform meant to highlight handmade goods.

Ariana Grande Modeling in Swarovski Jewelry
MajorsJul 18, 2024
Swarovski Names Ariana Grande as Its New Brand Ambassador

The celebrity will star in Swarovski’s holiday campaign.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy