SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
SourcingSep 05, 2013
Designer with a heart raising funds for Zimbabwe
San Diego-based jewelry designer Alexandra Hart has a special connection to this nation, all because of meeting one extraordinary local woman.
San Diego--For many in the jewelry industry, mentions of Zimbabwe do not stir pleasant associations.
Suspended from the Kimberley Process for a period several years ago, the nation, and the issues in its diamond fields, nearly tore apart the process. It remains a source of controversy within the KP today; just consider the current debate in the European Union regarding sanctions on the state-run Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation.
But in San Diego, one jewelry designer has a connection to the country that exists outside the controversy, a passion ignited by meeting one very special local woman.
A few years ago, Alexandra Hart, also known as Alix, met a fellow San Diegoan named Tsitsi Mutseta.
A native of a small Zimbabwean village called Rundongo, Mutseta came to the United States as a result of human trafficking.
Hart says though Mutseta shares few details from this period of her life, she does know that Mutseta was told she was coming to the U.S. for a better life, only to be forced into unpaid labor, working in a basement daycare in California before she was able to leave.
Mutseta eventually put herself through school and was studying nursing at San Diego State University in 2007 when she started a campus organization called Compassion for African Villages (CAV), which raises money to send back to Rundongo.
Shortly before her graduation from SDSU, Mutseta was dealt another blow: she was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Though it has been nearly seven years since her diagnosis, Hart said Mutseta is still alive today but is not expected to make it much longer.
There is not much that can be done to save her, but Hart wants to make sure CAV lives on, “so something she started doesn’t have to die when she does.”
A native of Boston, Hart has a master’s in metalsmithing from the Rochester Institute of Technology and apprenticed for a few years in the studio of Barbara Heinrich, picking up German jewelry-making techniques. In 1995, Hart moved to San Diego and opened her own business.
She works in 18-karat gold, palladium and sterling silver. Hart was one of the designers who created a collection called Pure Flight, which is part of Rio Tinto’s “Diamonds with a Story” initiative, in the Cutting Impact collection. The silver-and-diamonds designs, one of which is pictured here, debuted at the JCK Las Vegas show this past June.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The work Hart does in the studio, though, is not the only thing that keeps the designer busy. She also is active in the community, and keeping CAV alive is one of her current causes.
This Sunday, she has organized an authentic African dinner with Zimbabwean music fundraiser to benefit CAV in the event space at Vantage Pointe, an apartment building in downtown San Diego. The event is scheduled to take place from 4 to 7 p.m. and the cost is $5 at the door.
Hart admits that the area where Mutseta grew up, where agriculture is the main source of income, has little to do with the diamond industry.
Still, she wants to eventually involve the jewelry industry in CAV in some way, in the hopes that people will be drawn to the organization’s mission in the same way she was drawn to Mutseta’s magnetic personality.
“We were attracted to help her out,” she said.
This Sunday, she has organized an authentic African dinner with Zimbabwean music fundraiser to benefit CAV in the event space at Vantage Pointe, an apartment building in downtown San Diego. The event is scheduled to take place from 4 to 7 p.m. and the cost is $5 at the door.
Hart admits that the area where Mutseta grew up, where agriculture is the main source of income, has little to do with the diamond industry.
Still, she wants to eventually involve the jewelry industry in CAV in some way, in the hopes that people will be drawn to the organization’s mission in the same way she was drawn to Mutseta’s magnetic personality.
“We were attracted to help her out,” she said.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
