Events & AwardsOct 14, 2025
Here Are the Winners of the BIJC, JA ‘Emerging Jewelers’ Grant Events & AwardsOct 22, 2025
JFC Kicks Off Halloween Costume Challenge
Five dollars buys one vote toward an industry professional you want to see dressed up as a hero, or a villain, this Halloween.
Voting for the Jewelers for Children’s 2025 Halloween costume fundraiser, the “Heroes Vs. Villains Challenge,” closes on Oct. 27.
New York—Jewelers for Children’s Halloween costume challenge has returned and this year, it’s heroes versus villains.
The challenge, which opened Tuesday, asks members of the industry to buy votes for the individual they would most like to see in a costume this Oct. 31, with all the money raised going toward different children’s charities.
Supporters can put votes toward their choice of 10 industry “champions,” including Jewelers of America’s Amanda Gizzi, Alexis Padis of Padis Jewelry, and Brecken and Jonathan Farnsworth of Parle Gems.
The industry professional who has the most votes on Oct. 27 has to dress up as a hero or villain for Halloween; the winner (loser?) decides which costume they will wear.
Each vote is $5, and there is no limit to how many votes can be purchased.
“Buy votes for people you want to see in costume, or to keep friends from spending October 31st in Spandex,” the JFC website states.
The money raised will go to support a variety of causes.
For 100 votes ($500), JFC said it can send two HIV-positive children to Ariel Camps, where they discuss how to disclose their HIV status to their peers, and learn healthy life skills and important lessons about HIV care, support, and treatment.
Related stories will be right here …
The challenge, which opened Tuesday, asks members of the industry to buy votes for the individual they would most like to see in a costume this Oct. 31, with all the money raised going toward different children’s charities.
Supporters can put votes toward their choice of 10 industry “champions,” including Jewelers of America’s Amanda Gizzi, Alexis Padis of Padis Jewelry, and Brecken and Jonathan Farnsworth of Parle Gems.
The industry professional who has the most votes on Oct. 27 has to dress up as a hero or villain for Halloween; the winner (loser?) decides which costume they will wear.
Each vote is $5, and there is no limit to how many votes can be purchased.
“Buy votes for people you want to see in costume, or to keep friends from spending October 31st in Spandex,” the JFC website states.
The money raised will go to support a variety of causes.
For 100 votes ($500), JFC said it can send two HIV-positive children to Ariel Camps, where they discuss how to disclose their HIV status to their peers, and learn healthy life skills and important lessons about HIV care, support, and treatment.
Other causes include providing an HIV test for a pregnant woman ($5), gifting a duffle bag for a child in foster care ($20), or fulfilling a wish through Make-A-Wish America ($15,000).
“The JFC Halloween Challenge is an important way for us to give the jewelry community the opportunity to support kids in need no matter where they are,” Jewelers for Children Executive Director Sara Murphy told National Jeweler.
“We get to do this really fun thing, and anyone can be a part of it for less than the cost of a cup of coffee. I hope that people join us in supporting the kids and also having a great time together while we do it.”
To view participating industry professionals and to place votes, visit the JFC website. Credit cards are accepted.
Voting closes Oct. 27 at 9 p.m. EST.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
PodcastsMay 20, 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.
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Medal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
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.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
