WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
SourcingSep 21, 2020
Gem Legacy Celebrates 2 Years with Benefit Auction
Funds raised from bids and donations will go to its new initiative—a miner toolkit.
This Madagascar green sapphire from Michael Couch & Associates is one of several gemstones being auctioned off this week to benefit Gem Legacy’s new program creating and distributing miner toolkits.
Royal Oak, Mich.—Nonprofit Gem Legacy is turning two this week, and it’s celebrating by doing what it does best: raising funds to provide needed materials to African gemstone miners.
This week, from Sept. 22 to 26, it will hold an auction to raise funds for its latest project—a miner toolkit.
“Tools are absolutely essential to small gem miners’ success,” said Rachel Dery, director of communication and outreach for Gem Legacy.
Dery spent five months in East Africa recently, distributing more than 100,000 meals and critical disease prevention supplies on behalf of Gem Legacy to 43 miner communities hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis.
While she was doing that she also had the chance to observe how the miners work.
“We know that over 90 percent of East African miners are, or were, farmers first. Once they found gems on their property, they began gem mining, but most of them simply use farming implements to mine, which are mostly ineffective,” Dery explained.
“The Gem Legacy Miner Toolkit will provide them with more efficient set-ups that will allow them to be more productive in their mining.”
Created in partnership with local governments, which surveyed miners to ensure the kit met the greatest needs, the Gem Legacy Miner Toolkit includes a shovel, chisel, hammer, pickaxe, hand drill, blasting tools, helmet, head light, gloves and a sieve.
It also will be adjusted based on the needs of each mine supported.
Gem Legacy will start giving the toolkits in Tanzania and Kenya but noted it plans to expand the program to other countries with gemstone mining communities.
To raise money for the kits, it will hold an online auction tomorrow through Saturday. One hundred percent of bids and donations will go directly to purchasing items for the toolkits as Gem Legacy’s Advisory Board underwrites all administrative fees for the nonprofit.
The companies donating jewelry and loose gems to the auction include Anza Gems, Caleb B. Quashen International, Dan Lynch Gems, Enji Jewelry Studio, Michael Couch & Associates, Parlè Jewelry Designs, Roger Dery Gem Design and Stauer.
Items include Enji Jewelry Studio’s 14-karat recycled gold earrings featuring Arkansas quartz crystal dangles and flush-set Montana sapphires; a Madagascar green sapphire from Michael Couch & Associates; a rhodolite garnet from Parlè Jewelry Designs and an aquamarine from Dan Lynch Gems.
For more information about the nonprofit or the auction, or to donate or bid, email info@gemlegacy.org or visit it online, on Instagram or on Facebook.
The family team behind Roger Dery Gem Design launched Gem Legacy in 2018 to support education, vocational training and local economies in small, artisanal gem mining communities in Africa.
Concurrent with the news about the anniversary auction, Gem Legacy said it has appointed Bjorn Merisheki as its East African initiatives director to help with the new project and other ventures on the ground.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Weekly QuizMar 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, WomenMovado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
TrendsMar 23, 2026
Marco Bicego’s New Campaign Showcases ‘The Art of Craft’After celebrating 25 years in 2025, the campaign marks a new chapter for the jewelry brand with the message that “Identity Creates Value.”
Events & AwardsMar 23, 2026
These Watch Brands Are Heading to Couture This YearCouture and Time to Watches announced the watch brands, from big names to independents, attendees will see at the show.
FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
Events & AwardsMar 19, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach in Las Vegas on May 31.
AuctionsMar 18, 2026
Collection of the ‘Severely Beautiful’ Lady Wardington Fetches $161KThe model and fashion editor’s gold evening bags were the top lots at the London sale, going for more than $25,000 each.
PodcastsMar 18, 2026
Episode 3: An Interview With Jewelry Designer Johnny NelsonFresh off winning the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, Nelson discusses the ring that launched his career and his plans for the future.
SourcingMar 18, 2026
Lucara Recovers Nearly 37-Carat Blue DiamondThe “stunning” Type IIb stone was found via x-ray technology at its Karowe mine in Botswana.
