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.

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.
The Latest

Stores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.

The charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.

The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.

Experience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.

The watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.


This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.

It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

The trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.

The live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.

Sponsored by Overnight Mountings

The supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.

Blue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.

“Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.

As part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.

Participants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.

The alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.

Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.

In the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.

FGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.

It is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.

These jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.

The fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.

The AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.

The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.

The new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.

The special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.























