CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsOct 20, 2017
Retailer’s Granddaughter Raises $100K+ for Puerto Rico
Rosana Guernica, granddaughter of Reinhold Jewelers’ Marie Helene Morrow, has been delivering supplies and bringing back evacuees from her homeland.
Rosana Guernica, pictured third from the left, is the granddaughter of Reinhold Jewelers’ Marie Helene Morrow. On her second trip to Puerto Rico, she took more than 2,000 pounds of supplies and volunteers from her school, Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. (Image source: Carnegie Mellon University Twitter)
Pittsburgh--Well-known jeweler Marie Helene Morrow has been speaking out a lot about what’s needed in her homeland of Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria, and it seems that her concern for others and her desire to help runs in the family.
Weeks after Hurricane Maria ravished the country, leaving it in terrible condition under which many are still suffering, Rosana Guernica, a junior at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, has raised more than $100,000 to help aid her homeland.
Guernica is Morrow’s granddaughter, and made national news for her efforts.
Through crowdfunding, she raised the funds to buy thousands of pounds of supplies and reserve planes to deliver them after being in touch with doctors and first responders on the ground there to get a better sense of what was needed.
According to the YouCaring page, they were asking for supplies like baby formula, water, batteries and medicine.
Guernica could not be reached for comment by press time but the crowdfunding page she started states: “It has been an incredibly difficult and emotionally weighted time for all of us. We are desperate to help the island and don’t seem to know how.”
Within just 24 hours of launching the page, she had raised $7,000, according to the Associated Press. By the next day, it had grown to $11,000.
As of Friday morning, the page indicated she had raised just over $105,000. It also has been shared more than 2,000 times on social media.
Guernica states on the page: “No one person can solve these issues. No one government can help the island. There is money being raised that won’t keep people from dying, that won’t get people the help that they need in time. The supplies being collected are being held in inventory throughout the U.S. and in the ports of San Juan. By the time normal distribution channels open, it will be too late for the people who needed it the most.”
On Oct. 4, she used $20,000 of the funds to buy and transport more than 1,000 pounds of supplies to the country, and returned with six evacuees.
Then last week, she took a second trip, along with 2,000 pounds of supplies and six volunteers from Carnegie Mellon, according to the university’s Twitter account.
A Carnegie Mellon story posted online said she’s raising an additional $35,000 to try to charter a 70-passenger plane that could
carry 18,000 pounds for a third relief trip later this month.
According to a Thursday story from ABC News, roughly 80 percent of power customers still are in the dark, and another 30 percent are without water.
Additionally, less than half of the country’s cellphone towers are operating and only 64 percent of bank branches have reopened, and while many grocery stores have reopened, they’re rarely stocked with much food.
According to a Thursday story from ABC News, roughly 80 percent of power customers still are in the dark, and another 30 percent are without water.
Additionally, less than half of the country’s cellphone towers are operating and only 64 percent of bank branches have reopened, and while many grocery stores have reopened, they’re rarely stocked with much food.
More on Independents
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerThe author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
Weekly QuizMay 28, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
GradingMay 28, 2026
GCAL By Sarine Launches 8X Cushion CutThe lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
