Gretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
Feeling generous?
I have blogged before about the importance of giving in tough times, and I stick by my belief that donating to charitable causes becomes even more important in a bad economy. I signed up here at work today to take...
I have blogged before about the importance of giving in tough times, and I stick by my belief that donating to charitable causes becomes even more important in a bad economy.
I signed up here at work today to take part in "Skip Lunch Fight Hunger," an initiative of New York food bank City Harvest.
Basically, I'll be donating what I would normally spend on lunch in a day to City Harvest so they, in turn, can make sure people don’t go hungry.
On that note, if this blog has you feeling charitable, here are a few ways to give back that have popped up lately:
The Legacy Group. This is a new organization involving three extraordinary women that launched on Tuesday here in New York.
Headed by jewelry industry veteran Ralph Destino Sr., the organization has partnered with eighth-generation Vanderbilt Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin; Kick Kennedy, granddaughter of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and daughter of environmental activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; and Sara Delano Roosevelt, great-granddaughter of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
What these women want to do is put their legendary family names to good use.
They are seeking to partner with manufacturers and retailers to develop and endorse consumer products, including jewelry, and then donate the proceeds to their respective charities.
Costin’s supports the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (she sadly lost her mother to the disease), while Kennedy backs the Waterkeeper Alliance, and Roosevelt is an advocate of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
For more information, visit the group’s Web site.
Heart U Back. This is a really cute collection of fine fashion jewelry from family-owned manufacturer IBB International created in conjunction with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
The pieces are for both pets and people, are relatively inexpensive and, best of all, a portion of the proceeds go to the ASPCA.
For more information about the jewelry, visit HeartUBack.com. To learn more about the ASPCA’s mission, visit its Web site.
Diamonds for a Cure. This one got lost in the sea of paperwork on my desk, but is no less worthy.
Renowned jewelry designer and breast cancer survivor Neda Behnam has created four lines of diamond jewelry—“Hope,” “Faith,” “Charity,” and “Love”—to benefit Stand Up to Cancer.
Flipping through the photos, the collection, which has a Web site, looks like it has a little something for everyone.
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Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

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Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 13.

The auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.

Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.

The British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.

The “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.

Nelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.

Cat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.

Arnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.

The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.

The stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.

Engagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Former Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.

The veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.

Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).

The labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.

“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.

This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.

The former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
























