Piece of the Week: Guzema’s ‘Freedom’ for Ukraine Pendant
Ukrainian jewelry designer Valeriya Guzema’s charitable “Freedom” collection is inspired by hope for the country’s future.

UNICEF offered a painful-to-read description of what life has been like for the people there since Feb. 24, 2022.
“The children and families of Ukraine have endured almost two years of escalating violence, trauma, destruction, and displacement. Children continue to be killed, wounded, and deeply traumatized by violence that has sparked displacement on a scale and speed not seen since World War II,” it said.
A total of 3.7 million Ukrainians have been displaced internally due to the fighting, as per a joint study by the World Bank, United Nations, European Commission and the Ukrainian government, while another 5.9 million Ukrainians have left the country.
Families have been separated and lives lost while civilian infrastructure, like schools and hospitals, continue to be destroyed, said UNICEF.
For jewelry designer Valeriya Guzema, founder of Ukrainian brand Guzema, hope remains.

“Since the beginning of the full-scale war that Russia has unleashed on our native land, we Ukrainians have been giving our souls every day to fight for freedom,” she said.
“For us, freedom has two colors—yellow and blue, the colors of our national flag.”
Guzema set up a charitable foundation, the Guzema Foundation, to support the people of Ukraine.
All proceeds from sales of jewels in her “Freedom” collection are donated to the cause.
This week’s Piece of the Week pick is Guzema’s “Freedom” heart-shaped pendant, available in 14-karat yellow or white gold on blue and yellow silk strings, a nod to Ukraine’s flag.
The heart shape is “a tangible expression of gratitude for every contributor,” said Guzema.
The pendant can be worn as a necklace or a bracelet, depending on how the wearer ties the silk cords.
The collection, said Guzema, was inspired by her “unwavering hope” for Ukraine’s future.
Available online, the large version of the pendant retails for $700 while the smaller version is $320.
The Latest

The highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.

CEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.

Sponsored by Clientbook

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.


President Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.

Former Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

The jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.

The singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.

Dubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.

Plans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.

Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.

The Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.

The family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.

In his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.

The new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.

The Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.

Wrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.

The three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.

The one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.

Three C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”

The retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.

Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.

The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.

The pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.