SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesSourcingOct 07, 2025
Columbia Gem House Announces ‘Opals for Outback Heroes’ Fundraiser
Proceeds from its jewelry raffle will go to a volunteer-run fire and rescue group in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.
Columbia Gem House has announced its fifth annual online fundraising raffle, “Opals for Outback Heroes.”
Vancouver, Wash.—Columbia Gem House (CGH) has announced its fifth annual online fundraising raffle, “Opals for Outback Heroes.”
Like in years past, the miner is hosting the event in conjunction with the 2025 MJSA Responsibly Sourced Design Challenge, an annual contest in which designers are given a fictional story to integrate into a custom jewelry design.
CGH donated opals sourced from the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia, for participating designers to utilize in their creations.
The designers, in turn, donated their finished pieces to be raffled off in the fundraiser.
The raffle and design challenge unite around the shared values of responsible sourcing, inspired design, and supporting the communities that bring these “extraordinary gems” to life, the companies said.
This year’s fundraiser recipient is the Lightning Ridge Rural Fire Brigade, a volunteer group that responds to bushfires, structure fires, land searches, hazard-reduction burns, and motor vehicle accidents, protecting the people, wildlife, and landscape surrounding the Lightning Ridge opal mines.
Like in years past, the miner is hosting the event in conjunction with the 2025 MJSA Responsibly Sourced Design Challenge, an annual contest in which designers are given a fictional story to integrate into a custom jewelry design.
CGH donated opals sourced from the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia, for participating designers to utilize in their creations.
The designers, in turn, donated their finished pieces to be raffled off in the fundraiser.
The raffle and design challenge unite around the shared values of responsible sourcing, inspired design, and supporting the communities that bring these “extraordinary gems” to life, the companies said.
This year’s fundraiser recipient is the Lightning Ridge Rural Fire Brigade, a volunteer group that responds to bushfires, structure fires, land searches, hazard-reduction burns, and motor vehicle accidents, protecting the people, wildlife, and landscape surrounding the Lightning Ridge opal mines.
The money fundraised through the raffle will fund vital upgrades such as refitting the meeting and training room with new tables, chairs, computers, lamps, and office supplies and acquiring a thermal imaging camera essential for detecting heat during structure fires.
If funds allow, it will also be allocated to repainting the training space, adding a pressure cleaner for equipment maintenance, and installing lockers to properly store gear.
CGH, in collaboration with its sourcing partner Cheal Opal, selected the Brigade to give back to the community that “makes these stones possible.”
Nine jewelry pieces will be featured in the raffle and can be previewed here.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased through CGH's website. There are 100 tickets available per piece.
The raffle is open online now through Oct. 31.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
