Policies & IssuesNov 07, 2024
Diamonds Do Good To Distribute $250K+ In Grants Next YearPolicies & IssuesNov 20, 2024
Columbia Gem House Raises $10K for Reforestation Efforts
The money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.
Above is a photo from a site visit Columbia Gem House took last year to Lolo National Forest’s Rice Ridge in Montana, one of the states whose forests will benefit from funds raised through the company’s recent “Pebbles to Pines” fundraiser.
Vancouver, Wash.—Columbia Gem House announced its “Pebbles to Pines” fundraiser raised $10,000 for the National Forest Foundation’s (NFF) Reforestation Program, which focuses on reforesting critical-need regions of America’s national forests.
The gemstone wholesaler conducted the fundraiser through a raffle, through which it sold 300 raffle tickets, raising $7,750.
Falling short of its original goal to sell 400 tickets, the company made an additional contribution.
“While we are thrilled to have raised $7,750, our original goal of planting 10,000 trees requires a total of $10,000. To ensure we reached that target and continue supporting the work of the National Forest Foundation, Columbia Gem House has decided to contribute an additional $2,250,” said Natasha Braunwart, the company’s brand and corporate social responsibility manager.
“This means that, together, we are fully funding the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and beyond.”
The raffle was again hosted in conjunction with the 2024 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 participated, each donating a piece of jewelry featuring gems provided by CGH from Oregon, Arizona, and Montana, the states whose critical need forest areas will be targeted with the money raised.
The fundraiser garnered support from participants in three countries and over 25 states across the U.S.
More information on Columbia Gem House and its annual fundraising series is available here.
Related stories will be right here …
The gemstone wholesaler conducted the fundraiser through a raffle, through which it sold 300 raffle tickets, raising $7,750.
Falling short of its original goal to sell 400 tickets, the company made an additional contribution.
“While we are thrilled to have raised $7,750, our original goal of planting 10,000 trees requires a total of $10,000. To ensure we reached that target and continue supporting the work of the National Forest Foundation, Columbia Gem House has decided to contribute an additional $2,250,” said Natasha Braunwart, the company’s brand and corporate social responsibility manager.
“This means that, together, we are fully funding the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and beyond.”
The raffle was again hosted in conjunction with the 2024 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 participated, each donating a piece of jewelry featuring gems provided by CGH from Oregon, Arizona, and Montana, the states whose critical need forest areas will be targeted with the money raised.
The fundraiser garnered support from participants in three countries and over 25 states across the U.S.
More information on Columbia Gem House and its annual fundraising series is available here.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
EditorsJul 29, 2026
Q&A: The Past and Future of Angola’s Diamond Industry Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.
MajorsJul 29, 2026
Kevin Reilly Retires After 39 Years in the Jewelry Industry Reilly has been with PGI USA for the last 20 years, leading partnership development and professional education.
FinancialsJul 29, 2026
Kering’s H1 Jewelry Sales Up 14%Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2026
Lauren Harwell Godfrey Designs a Flag for ArkansasShe was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
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.
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
