CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
IndependentsAug 18, 2017
Feel-Good Friday: A Passion Turned Passion Project
Adwar Casting’s Keith Adwar started cycling after being diagnosed with diabetes but has since turned it into an opportunity to raise money to find a cure.
Team Adwar-Newman at a 2014 biking event to raise money for diabetes research
Southampton, N.Y.--It started as a way to stay healthy after a diabetes diagnosis and has turned into an event that raises thousands to find a cure for the disease.
In 2009, just as he was celebrating his 44th birthday, Adwar Casting Chief Financial Officer Keith Adwar was diagnosed with Type II diabetes. His doctor recommended finding a workout routine that would help him keep his blood sugar level down while also taking medication.
Enter two of Adwar’s close friends--David Newman and Steven Garten, cyclists who talked him into taking up their hobby and buying a road bike.
The friends’ shared passion soon led them to the realization that they should ride to help raise money for a good cause; he and his friends first decided to bike around Manhattan to raise money for multiple sclerosis research.
After raising about $6,000 that first year without too much effort, Adwar said, they decided to ride for something a little more personal. In 2011, they switched to raising money for diabetes research, and Team Adwar was born.
Acting as co-chair for the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure Bike ride in Long Island, Adwar, through all teams, helped raise more than $1.2 million dollars between 2011 and 2014.
His team’s name became Team Adwar-Newman when Newman’s son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 15.
Over the years, Adwar-Newman has grown to include neighbors, customers, family and friends, and has included more than 100 different bikers who have raised some $225,000 for diabetes research.
“Cycling has helped a lot in my fight to stay healthy, and I’m really grateful for it,” Adwar said. “I’m happy to be able to raise money to find a cure through that.”
But Adwar grew unhappy with the way funds were being spent by the ADA, and he left in search of another way to help raise money for the cause.
He came upon the Diabetes Research Institute at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami. (Adwar and his brother, Gregg, are University of Miami alumni.) The institute’s foundation raises funds that go toward finding a cure for diabetes, with a very small percentage going to administrative costs, Adwar said. 
He approached the institute about holding a ride to raise money for them, a first of its kind, in Long Island.
Last year
was the first official Empire Ride for the DRI, raising about $22,000 by riding time.
The second Empire Ride is scheduled to take place next month.
Adwar said he doesn’t have a specific monetary goal in mind for the event this year, as they’re still working on building it and adding riders. Ideally, though, he’d like to have the event be a million-dollar ride within the next four to five years.
And though he says he’s generally hesitant to ask people for money, they have run radio ads and social media posts to garner attention for it and raise funds. The DRI also has created a video for the efforts.
For Adwar, it’s not about his name or the company’s name, it’s about raising the money and also advocating for the healthy lifestyle he has adopted.
“I’ve motivated a lot of people. That’s where I’m proud,” he said.
The 2017 Empire Ride will take place on Sept. 24, offering riders four route options: 25 miles, 50 miles, 70 miles and 100 miles.
Anyone interested in donating or starting their own team can reach out to Adwar at kadwar@adwar.com or visit the Empire Ride’s website.
The second Empire Ride is scheduled to take place next month.
Adwar said he doesn’t have a specific monetary goal in mind for the event this year, as they’re still working on building it and adding riders. Ideally, though, he’d like to have the event be a million-dollar ride within the next four to five years.
And though he says he’s generally hesitant to ask people for money, they have run radio ads and social media posts to garner attention for it and raise funds. The DRI also has created a video for the efforts.
For Adwar, it’s not about his name or the company’s name, it’s about raising the money and also advocating for the healthy lifestyle he has adopted.
“I’ve motivated a lot of people. That’s where I’m proud,” he said.
The 2017 Empire Ride will take place on Sept. 24, offering riders four route options: 25 miles, 50 miles, 70 miles and 100 miles.
Anyone interested in donating or starting their own team can reach out to Adwar at kadwar@adwar.com or visit the Empire Ride’s website.
More on Independents
The Latest
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week PicksAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
Weekly QuizDec 11, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More GemstonesStarting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.
MajorsDec 11, 2025
Americas Gold Releases New Gold Chain CatalogThe new catalog features its most popular chains as well as new styles.
AuctionsDec 10, 2025
Francis Ford Coppola’s Watch Sells for $10.8MThe filmmaker’s personal F.P. Journe “FFC” prototype was the star of Phillips’ recent record-setting watch auction in New York.
WatchesDec 10, 2025
There’s A New Rolex Boutique in MiamiThe new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.
SurveysDec 10, 2025
Consumer Confidence Drops in November Inflations, tariffs, and politics—including the government shutdown—were among consumers’ top concerns last month.
SourcingDec 10, 2025
NAJA Announces Details for 2026 ‘Ace It’ Winter Conference“Longtime favorite” presenters, as well as first-time speakers, will lead talks and workshops at the annual event in Tucson next year.
Events & AwardsDec 10, 2025
MJSA Names 2025 Responsible Design Challenge WinnerSilas Smith of Meridian Metalworks won the challenge with his pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes.
AuctionsDec 09, 2025
‘Desert Rose’ Diamond Sells for $8.8M in Abu DhabiThe sale of the 31.68-carat, sunset-hued stone was part of Sotheby’s first series of events and auctions in Abu Dhabi.
ColumnistsDec 09, 2025
Holiday Sales Happen in December, Most Decisions Don’tMost customers who walk into your store this month have made up their minds. Your job is to validate their choice, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
