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Columbia Gem House Opens ‘Cutting Toward Change’ Fundraiser
Proceeds from its jewelry raffle will benefit an organization working in India to combat silicosis, a lung disease affecting stone cutters.
Columbia Gem House’s online fundraising raffle, “Cutting Toward Change,” features eight one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry. Ticket sales are open now through Oct. 31.
Vancouver, Wash.—Columbia Gem House (CGH) has announced its sixth annual online fundraising raffle, “Cutting Toward Change.”
CGH is raising money for the Peoples Training & Research Centre’s (PTRC) initiatives to raise awareness about silicosis in Gujarat, India.
PTRC seeks to address critical gaps in occupational safety and health through training, awareness, documentation, research, and advocacy for workers’ rights.
One of its initiatives is to raise awareness of silicosis, improve working conditions, and support workers and communities affected by occupational exposure.
Silicosis is an incurable lung disease caused by prolonged exposure to respirable silica dust and often affects gemstone cutters and other jewelry industry workers.
“Silicosis is a critically important issue that does not receive enough attention, including within the gemstone and jewelry industry,” said CGH.
“Through ‘Cutting Toward Change,’ [we] hope to help bring greater awareness to the issue among consumers and industry peers and encourage more conversation about occupational health and the people behind the materials that become the products we wear.”
Like in years past, the miner is hosting the event in conjunction with the 2026 MJSA Responsibly Sourced Design Challenge, an annual contest in which designers are given a fictional story to integrate into a custom jewelry design.
CGH is raising money for the Peoples Training & Research Centre’s (PTRC) initiatives to raise awareness about silicosis in Gujarat, India.
PTRC seeks to address critical gaps in occupational safety and health through training, awareness, documentation, research, and advocacy for workers’ rights.
One of its initiatives is to raise awareness of silicosis, improve working conditions, and support workers and communities affected by occupational exposure.
Silicosis is an incurable lung disease caused by prolonged exposure to respirable silica dust and often affects gemstone cutters and other jewelry industry workers.
“Silicosis is a critically important issue that does not receive enough attention, including within the gemstone and jewelry industry,” said CGH.
“Through ‘Cutting Toward Change,’ [we] hope to help bring greater awareness to the issue among consumers and industry peers and encourage more conversation about occupational health and the people behind the materials that become the products we wear.”
Like in years past, the miner is hosting the event in conjunction with the 2026 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 silver and gemstones, including moss agate sourced from India, for participating designers to utilize in their creations.
The moss agate was cut entirely by CGH, rather than passing through a commercial cutting operation in India where silica exposure remains a concern, the company said.
The designers donated their finished pieces to be raffled off in the fundraiser.
The eight one-of-a-kind pieces can be previewed here.
Raffle tickets are $25 and can be purchased through CGH's website now through Oct. 31. There are 100 tickets available per piece.
Each additional ticket provides another entry for a chance to win, and 100 percent of the ticket sales will support PTRC’s efforts in Gujarat.
The raffle is open to participants worldwide.
Related stories will be right here …
The moss agate was cut entirely by CGH, rather than passing through a commercial cutting operation in India where silica exposure remains a concern, the company said.
The designers donated their finished pieces to be raffled off in the fundraiser.
The eight one-of-a-kind pieces can be previewed here.
Raffle tickets are $25 and can be purchased through CGH's website now through Oct. 31. There are 100 tickets available per piece.
Each additional ticket provides another entry for a chance to win, and 100 percent of the ticket sales will support PTRC’s efforts in Gujarat.
The raffle is open to participants worldwide.
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