ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
SourcingMay 18, 2016
Mark Patterson Wins Contest to Redesign DEF Bracelet
The California-based jewelry designer has created a new look for the Diamond Empowerment Fund’s Green Bracelet.
The Diamond Empowerment Fund’s Green Bracelet, as reimagined by Mark Patterson. DEF is the global nonprofit co-founded by music mogul Russell Simmons in 2007 that works to empower diamond-producing communities worldwide.
New York--California-based jewelry designer Mark Patterson has been named the winner of the Diamond Empowerment Fund’s bracelet redesign contest.
The original DEF bracelet, known as the Green Bracelet, was comprised of malachite beads with a small piece of rough suspended in a diamond-shaped, gold-plated charm.
On Tuesday, DEF announced the winner: Mark Patterson, the Newport Beach, Calif.-based jewelry designer who started his eponymous brand in 1985.
Patterson made his bracelet in two sizes on an adjustable braided leather cord with a gold-plated diamond-shaped charm.
The charm is reversible; on one side is DEF’s tagline, Diamonds Do Good, while the other is set with a polished white diamond that is Kimberley Process certified.
Patterson said he and his wife Josette collaborated on the design, as always.
“We knew that a key element that we wanted to incorporate was making it reversible so that the inspiration message could be either a private reminder to the wearer or a public statement to ‘do good,’” he said.
He added that he designed the “do good” message to look like graffiti in order to give it a “young, hip feel.”
Patterson slipped a slice of chrysoprase into the charm, fulfilling the need for the bracelet to have a green element while also paying homage to the land where the bracelet is being manufactured, China.
He said he and his wife, who is a sculptor and ceramic artist, used the slice, or “shard,” of chrysoprase as a nod specifically to Jingdizhen, China, the town where porcelain was first fired some 2,000 years ago.
Hong Kong-based retailer and manufacturer Chow Tai Fook will make the new Green Bracelet, which will be available on DiamondsDo.Good.com for a “suggested donation” of $125 beginning in September. The bracelets will be available for retailers in the fall.
As part of his prize, Patterson will receive a trip to China to meet Chow Tai Fook’s managing director, Kent Wong, and visit jewelry stores in Hong Kong and mainland China.
Other Couture designers who submitted notable designs for the new Green Bracelet were
Julie Romanenko of Just Jules and Bibi Van der Velden, DEF said.
Design entries had to be unisex, include at least one Kimberley Process-compliant diamond, contain the color green and be able to be priced at $125 retail.
Design entries had to be unisex, include at least one Kimberley Process-compliant diamond, contain the color green and be able to be priced at $125 retail.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
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 & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
