Independents

Funds Being Raised for Houston Jewelers Affected by Hurricane

IndependentsAug 31, 2017

Funds Being Raised for Houston Jewelers Affected by Hurricane

Jewelers of America, the Diamond Council of America and National Jeweler have launched a GoFundMe page to collect donations for independent jewelers in the area hit by Hurricane Harvey.

20170831_HH-relief-fund.jpg

New York--Jewelers of America, the Diamond Council of America and National Jeweler are raising money to be help jewelers in Houston who were affected by Hurricane Harvey.

According to CNN, the hurricane had dumped 51 inches of rain as of Wednesday afternoon, the highest amount on record from a tropical cyclone in the continental U.S. Losses are estimated to be somewhere around $75 billion, with an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 homes destroyed in the Houston area and 33 counties in Texas declared federal disaster areas.

Now, a GoFundMe page has been created to raise funds to go to independents retailers most affected by Hurricane Harvey.

All funds will be given out equally and directly to independent jewelry stores, regardless of affiliation.

To help organizers begin to compile a list of jewelers in need, jewelry owners affected by Hurricane Harvey can submit their details on Jewelers.org.

As of right now, a deadline for fundraising or timeline for distributing funds hasn’t yet been established as Jewelers of America determines the full impact of the destruction.

“Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by Hurricane Harvey,” said JA President & CEO David J. Bonaparte. “Jewelers of America was founded by jewelers to help jewelers, and it’s in times like these that we are so clearly reminded of the importance of that mission. With our partners Diamond Council of America and National Jeweler, we hope the Hurricane Harvey Jewelers Support Fund gives the jewelry community a way to support the jewelers most impacted. Any support is welcome; there is no donation too small to help reach our goal.”

National Jeweler is a for-profit subsidiary of Jewelers of America, though the organizations act independently of one another. JA also inked an agreement in June with the DCA to align the two organizations.

Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Jewelers Relief Fund logo
Policies & IssuesJan 10, 2025
Jewelers Relief Fund Reopened to Aid Victims of LA Fires

Created by JA and DCA, the fund is collecting money for jewelry businesses damaged by the wildfires in Los Angeles County.

Harwell Godfrey heart pendant
Policies & IssuesJan 10, 2025
Harwell Godfrey, Stephanie Gottlieb Are Raising Money for LA Wildfire Relief

Several jewelry designers are lending a helping hand to charities in Los Angeles amid the raging wildfires.

Elsa Jin Mozi Brooch
TrendsJan 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Elsa Jin’s ‘Mozi’ Brooch

Adrien Brody received his first Golden Globe while wearing the “Mozi” brooch, which depicts a spill of traditional Chinese calligraphy ink.

ride_or_die_1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday Campaign

A Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’

Paul Rowley, Sandrine Conseiller, Vipul Shah, and Kirit Bhansali
SourcingJan 10, 2025
De Beers, GJEPC Partner to Promote Natural Diamonds

The pair will work together to support independent retailers in India with marketing assets, training materials, and other tools.

Weekly QuizJan 09, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Counterfeit Tiffany & Co. jewelry near U.S. Customs and Border Protection logo
CrimeJan 09, 2025
US Customs Seizes Counterfeit Tiffany & Co. Jewels

Officers in Champlain, New York valued the jewels, if genuine, at nearly $30,000.

Karma El Khalil Meteor Necklace
CollectionsJan 09, 2025
Karma El Khalil’s New Collection is an Ode to the Moon

The “Moonlight Rhapsody” collection is overflowing with gemstones, from raw opal to morganite and spessartite.

me_myself_and_I_1872x1052 .jpg
Brought to you by
De Beers Group Launches Holiday Campaign for Natural Diamonds

‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.

AGTA Seminar Series
Events & AwardsJan 09, 2025
Here Is the 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson Educational Lineup

The seminar series covers topics from market trends and colored stone terminology to working with museums and growing an Instagram profile.

Diamond Trails Reena Ahluwalia
SourcingJan 09, 2025
Reena Ahluwalia Unveils New Works in ‘Diamond Trails’ Anthology

The artist collaborated with industry creatives on the project, which features five fictional stories and five corresponding paintings.

Miss Piggy taking a selfie
WatchesJan 08, 2025
Oris Debuts Hot Pink Miss Piggy Watch

Miss Piggy shared her thoughts on being fabulous, the importance of accessories, and how to be your own cheerleader.

Rings in the Promise by Effy lab-grown diamond jewelry collection
Lab-GrownJan 08, 2025
Effy Introduces Brand Dedicated to Lab-Grown Diamonds

“Promise by Effy” includes fashion jewelry and engagement rings.

Zendaya and Engagement Ring at 2025 Golden Globes
TrendsJan 08, 2025
Zendaya’s Engagement Ring Combines Vintage and Modern Elements

Zendaya’s ring, featuring an east-west set elongated cushion-cut diamond, is said to be from British designer Jessica McCormack.

National Jeweler columnist Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJan 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: The Hottest Digital Marketing Trends For 2025

Micro-influencers, customer reviews, and shoppable videos are going to be key to getting customers’ attention, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Lindsey Scoggins Studio Gypsy Link Ring
TrendsJan 07, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: January Is for Garnet

Garnet is comprised of a group of minerals, giving those with a birthday in January options when it comes to their birthstone.

Huan Tain and staff of Quest Fine Jewelers in Fairfax, Virginia
IndependentsJan 07, 2025
Edge Retail Academy Names 2024 ‘Wag’ Award Winner

The annual award, created in memory of business coach William “Wag” Wagner, went to a retailer in Fairfax, Virginia.

Jewelers for Children round up program on a point of sale machine
MajorsJan 07, 2025
Jewelers for Children Promotes Round-Up Fundraising Program

Retailers and vendors can ask customers to make a donation by rounding up to the next dollar at checkout.

calibrated Lightning Ridge opals
SourcingJan 07, 2025
Columbia Gem House To Debut Lightning Ridge Opal Collection

The wholesaler is partnering with Australian brand Cheal Opal on a new offering of calibrated stones.

Zendaya and Cynthia Erivo
EditorsJan 06, 2025
White Hot: 8 Glamorous Jewelry Looks From the Golden Globes

From Zendaya to Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña, many stars at the 82nd Golden Globes were wearing white gold or platinum jewelry.

Stock image of hands with handcuffs on them
CrimeJan 06, 2025
FBI Adds 2 Suspected Jewelry Thieves to Its Wanted List

Described by JSA as being “habitual offenders,” Vasile Sava and Onita Rostas have federal warrants out for their arrest in Kansas.

PDPaola New York store
MajorsJan 06, 2025
PDPaola Opens First U.S. Store

The Barcelona-based brand’s flagship boutique is located in New York City’s West Village neighborhood.

Facets of Fire bridal display
IndependentsJan 06, 2025
Facets of Fire Debuts New Jewelry Displays

A solar-powered loose diamond holder rotates the stones to show off how they catch the light.

Arkansas jeweler Kelly Newton receiving Shipley Award
IndependentsJan 03, 2025
Kelly Newton, Shipley Award Winner and Devoted Family Man, Dies at 74

Newton owned and operated Newton’s Jewelers in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and is remembered for being positive, honest, and loving.

Peles Mist
Events & AwardsJan 03, 2025
12 Works by Glenn Lehrer, Paula Crevoshay on Display at Lapidary Museum

“Synergy & Symbiosis” is open now through late April at the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art in Oak Brook, Illinois.

Renna Butterfly Caspian Necklace
CollectionsJan 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renna’s ‘Butterfly Caspian’ Necklace

Begin 2025 with a butterfly intaglio symbolizing change and transformation.

Nenad Milosevich
CrimeJan 02, 2025
Rolex Sale That Went South Led to Murder of Florida Jeweler, Report Says

Jeweler Anthony D’Amore was found dead inside his office Dec. 23, marking the fourth jeweler killed on the job in 2024, according to JSA.

Tudor storefront Honolulu Hawaii
WatchesJan 02, 2025
Ben Bridge Opens Tudor Boutique in Honolulu

The opening marks Tudor’s first location in Hawaii.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy