MajorsNov 20, 2023
JFC’s 2023 ‘Hope for the Holidays’ Cards Are HerePolicies & IssuesNov 22, 2023
Columbia Gem House Raises $12K for Wildlife
The money will help a nonprofit rehabilitate sea turtles.
In its recent “Jewelry for Wildlife” fundraiser, Columbia Gem House raised more than $12,000 to support CRRIFS, a nonprofit in Mexico focused on conservation, research, and rehabilitation along the Sonoran Coast.
Vancouver, Wash.—Columbia Gem House announced its “Jewelry for Wildlife” fundraiser made more than $12,000 for Centro de Rescate, Rehabilitacion e Investigacion de Fauna Silvestre A.C. (CRRIFS), a nonprofit that works closely with the company’s partners at the Cortez Pearl Farm in Mexico.
Columbia Gem House conducted the fundraiser through a raffle this year. It was hosted 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.
Nine designers donated pieces of jewelry, each valued at $2,500, for the event.
Columbia Gem House said it sold a total of 481 raffle tickets, resulting in a “remarkable” donation of $12,025 to CRRIFS.
“We had the highest participation we have ever seen, and in the end, nearly doubled [the amount raised in] previous fundraisers,” said Natasha Braunwart, the company’s brand and corporate social responsibility manager.
Columbia Gem House said the donations will support CRRIFS’s 2024 goal of building a saltwater tank for sea turtle rehabilitation.
Columbia Gem House conducted the fundraiser through a raffle this year. It was hosted 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.
Nine designers donated pieces of jewelry, each valued at $2,500, for the event.
Columbia Gem House said it sold a total of 481 raffle tickets, resulting in a “remarkable” donation of $12,025 to CRRIFS.
“We had the highest participation we have ever seen, and in the end, nearly doubled [the amount raised in] previous fundraisers,” said Natasha Braunwart, the company’s brand and corporate social responsibility manager.
Columbia Gem House said the donations will support CRRIFS’s 2024 goal of building a saltwater tank for sea turtle rehabilitation.
Raffle participation was widespread, with individuals from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Ireland, and other countries taking part in the fundraiser.
Columbia Gem House said the overwhelming response reflects a global community’s commitment to responsible supply chains and showcases how the gemstone industry can support the environment and wildlife.
Conducting a raffle for the first time in the fundraiser’s history also allowed for more participation, as the company typically has held an auction with opening bids of about $500.
Related stories will be right here …
Columbia Gem House said the overwhelming response reflects a global community’s commitment to responsible supply chains and showcases how the gemstone industry can support the environment and wildlife.
Conducting a raffle for the first time in the fundraiser’s history also allowed for more participation, as the company typically has held an auction with opening bids of about $500.
“We wanted this project to reach those who might consider themselves excluded from responsibly sourced jewelry simply due to price,” Braunwart said.
“We wanted to offer a space for anyone to enter this conversation and recognize they too can be involved in making responsibly sourced gems and jewelry the rule, not the exception.”
She added that Columbia Gem House is “immensely grateful” for the overwhelming support it received for this year’s fundraiser.
“The enthusiasm from participants around the world has allowed us to make a significant contribution to CRRIFS, supporting their vital efforts in conservation, research, and rehabilitation, all of which support the health of the ecosystem that Cortez Pearl oysters rely on.”
More about the project is available on Columbia Gem House’s official blog.
The brand will announce information on next year’s project via its Instagram page.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizFeb 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
SourcingFeb 25, 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.
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.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Yafa Signed Jewels to Open Store in MiamiThe vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.
WatchesFeb 24, 2026
Chrono24 Names New VP, U.S. General ManagerFormer Flight Club executive Jin Lee will bring his experience from the sneaker world to the pre-owned watch marketplace.
SourcingFeb 23, 2026
Designer Eddie Sakamoto, a Humble Artist, Dies at 72Sakamoto, who died in mid-January following a sudden illness, is remembered for his humility and his masterful, architectural designs.
Events & AwardsFeb 23, 2026
NYCJAOS Announces Four-Day Spring ShowThe April event will feature a new VIP shopping day requiring a special ticket.
TrendsFeb 23, 2026
Dua Lipa Is Bulgari’s New AmbassadorBulgari chose the British-Albanian singer-songwriter for her powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture, the jeweler said.
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
MajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board ChairJVC also announced the election of five new board members.
CollectionsFeb 20, 2026
Boucheron’s ‘Faisceaux’ Brooch Heads to V&A MuseumThe brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
Events & AwardsFeb 19, 2026
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Returns in MarchThe show will be held March 26-30 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
