MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
EditorsDec 19, 2008
Stumped for holiday gift ideas?
A recent survey from the NRF indicated that, as of the second week of December, 41 million people had not yet started their holiday shopping, and 47.1 percent didn’t have it all done. If you are among those still searching...
A recent survey from the NRF
indicated that, as of the second week of December, 41 million people had not yet started their holiday shopping, and 47.1 percent didn’t have it all done.
If you are among those still
searching for suitable holiday gifts, than this blog is for you.
Remember that during tough economic times, nonprofit organizations and charities tend to struggle along with
everyone else, perhaps even more, and, in turn, so do the people in need they
work to support.
Donating to one will not only
potentially help out somebody in great need, but it will make you feel good as
well.
Below are a few charities I feel are worth supporting.
Happy holidays to
everyone!
— The Diamond Empowerment
Fund (DEF). I think this charity,
co-founded by music mogul Russell Simmons, is a great cause. Founded in 2007, the DEF is a nonprofit international organization established by individuals in the
diamond and jewelry industry, including Simmons.
The DEF’s mission is to raise
money for education for economically disadvantaged nations in Africa where
diamonds are a natural resource.
The DEF’s first beneficiary is
CIDA City Campus, an institution of higher learning in Johannesburg, South
Africa, that offers scholarships for economically disadvantaged students. I can personally attest to
the validity of CIDA, which I visited during a trip to Africa this past May.
The DEF already has donated
nearly $10 million to the school and is looking to do more.
Both individuals and
businesses can donate to the DEF.
To learn more, visit DiamondEmpowerment.org.
— Star of Africa. Last month, the Royal Asscher Diamond Co. held an
event to launch “Star of Africa,” its new charity program focused on helping
the people
of Sierra Leone.
Civil war once raged in this
nation, noted for being the center of the trade in blood diamonds (it was, in
fact, the setting for the 2006 film Blood Diamond).
Today, civil war has left the
country rife with poverty, but Royal Asscher, a diamond company with a history
dating back to 1854, wants to help change that.
The goal of Star of Africa is
to raise money to work with various charities to help the people of Sierra
Leone rebuild the cornerstones of their society: health care, education,
economic stability and societal relationships.
The first stage of the program
is a partnership with nonprofit World Vision that aims to get the children of
Sierra Leone out of the country’s diamond mines and into school.
Africa’s effort with World Vision, download the form at left and fax it to (646) 861-4975.
For more information about
Star of Africa, contact Rebecca Smith with Royal Asscher, (212) 922-1908 or
rebecca@royalasscher.com.
attended a benefit for Love Heals on Dec. 10 at Kwiat’s beautiful flagship
store in Manhattan.
But I think lack of education
is at the core of so many societal ills that you can never go wrong when you
empower people with knowledge.
The event, sponsored by Kwiat
and Gotham magazine, featured
actress Julianna Margulies (nurse Carol Hathaway for you ER fans, pictured above, fourth from left, in the black dress), who was
decked out in Kwiat diamond earrings and bracelet.
The mission of Love Heals
(officially called “Love Heals, the Alison Gertz Foundation for AIDS
Education”) is to educate young people about HIV/AIDS so they can make informed
choices as they mature.
Since
1992, New York-based Love Heals’ HIV-positive speakers and trained health
educators have reached more than 300,000 young people, parents, educators and
community leaders.
For more information, visit LoveHeals.org.
— Treatment Action Group
(TAG). The Diamond Information
Center’s Sally Morrison recently was honored by this organization for her years
of work in the fight against AIDS (congratulations again Sally!).
The group
fights for better treatments, a vaccine and a cure for AIDS.
For more information, visit TreatmentActionGroup.org.
More on Editors
The Latest
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum 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).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
