CollectionsFeb 16, 2024
Piece of the Week: Jade Ruzzo’s Tribute to TennesseeCollectionsFeb 23, 2024
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.
Saturday will mark two years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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.
Related stories will be right here …
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.
Valeriya Guzema, founder of jewelry brand Guzema, wearing the “Freedom” pendant
“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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Collections
The Latest
SourcingJul 15, 2026
1,305-Carat Diamond Recovered from Mine in BotswanaThe yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.
IndependentsJul 15, 2026
New Jersey Jeweler Barry Berman Dies at 81The founder of Fords Jewelers, Berman is remembered for his love of connecting with his community.
FinancialsJul 15, 2026
Watches of Switzerland’s US Sales Jump 18%, Declines to Comment on Sale Report The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
Weekly QuizJul 09, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsJul 14, 2026
Foundrae Opens First Standalone Store Outside USThe New York-based jewelry brand has expanded overseas, opening a store in London’s Mayfair district.
ColumnistsJul 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: What Today’s Jewelry Consumer Is Telling Us Rising revenue does not automatically mean a healthy business, particularly in the current economic landscape, Smith writes.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
TrendsJul 14, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Shoulder Dusters These long, fluid drop earrings are sure to catch the eye.
CrimeJul 14, 2026
Man Charged in $1M Jewelry Store Heist Lands on FBI Most Wanted ListAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged with robbing a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and is the only one still at large.
Events & AwardsJul 14, 2026
Conference on Mining, Sustainability Kicks Off in NYCInitiatives in Art and Culture is hosting its 16th annual Gold and Diamond Conference, with the theme of “Resilience.”
Lab-GrownJul 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Changes Her Mind on Lab-Grown DiamondsThe designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.
SourcingJul 13, 2026
De Beers Announces Potential Layoffs, 2-Year Production Pause at VenetiaThe diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
Registration Opens for JIS Fall 2026 ShowThe annual trade-only buying event is slated for Oct. 16-19 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026AGTA also has announced the lineup of judges for the colored gemstone cutting and jewelry design contest’s various categories.
TechnologyJul 10, 2026
There’s a New Blind Box for Luxury Watches Collectibles platform Arena Club’s new Time Boxes could contain a Rolex or Patek Philippe watch.
TrendsJul 10, 2026
Jade Trau Creates a Constellation of DiamondsThe “Constellation Plié” collar, our Piece of the Week, features diamonds arranged in a constellation of shining stars.
SourcingJul 10, 2026
CFO of De Beers’ Consumer-Facing Division Leaves Company Shaun Wills joined the company in 2024 and was chief financial officer of the De Beers Brands and Consumer Markets division.
WatchesJul 10, 2026
Brilliant Earth Expands Into WatchesIn honor of its 20th anniversary, the jewelry brand has released a limited-edition collection of Swiss-made timepieces.
WatchesJul 09, 2026
Damiani Group Finalizes Acquisition of Baume & MercierRichemont will continue to provide operational services for the watch brand for a period while the group prepares to integrate it.
AuctionsJul 09, 2026
Pharrell Williams’ Joopiter Hires Former Bonhams Exec to Head New Watch DivisionNate Borgelt will lead the digital auction house and content platform’s new division as head of watches.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
Halstead Names 2026 Grant WinnerEnoch Platero, founder and designer behind Enoch Michael, is the first Native American jeweler to win the award.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
AGS, GIA Name 2026 Beatrice Shipley Scholarship WinnerAGS also announced the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Kendra Scott Joins ‘Shark Tank’ As Permanent Investor The founder of the billion-dollar jewelry and lifestyle brand will debut as a full-time “Shark” on the upcoming season of the show.
SurveysJul 08, 2026
Signet Jewelers Falls 5 Spots on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListPlus, why retailers should be ready to adjust as the U.S. population may decline this year for the first time since the Great Depression.
CrimeJul 08, 2026
Here’s What Thieves Stole From the Lalique Museum René Lalique’s “Woman Dragonfly With Open Wings” pendant, the first piece the museum acquired, was one of the jewels taken.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Richline Group Promotes 2 ExecsArien Gessner and Moss Makhoulian have been elevated into newly created roles.
