SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
TrendsOct 17, 2016
Designer to Create Collection for Fallen Female Soldiers
Tara Hutchinson, founder of Tara Hutch Fine Jewelry and an Iraq veteran, is trying to raise $12,000 on a crowdfunding site to produce a 10-piece line.
Tara Hutchinson is the designer behind Tara Hutch Fine Jewelry and winner of the WJA 2016 Female Veteran Grant. She now is trying to raise $12,000 to fund a 10-piece collection to honor fallen female soldiers.
San Antonio--One jewelry designer and Iraq veteran aims to honor fallen female soldiers with a brand-new jewelry collection.
Tara Hutchinson, founder of Tara Hutch Fine Jewelry and winner of the Women’s Jewelry Association’s 2016 Female Veteran Grant, wants to give back to the mourning families of the women veterans who lost their lives by creating jewelry that tells their stories.
As of 2015, more than 160 female U.S. military members had been killed in post-9/11 conflict, either in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom campaigns, according to The Washington Post.
“That’s 160 moms, daughters, sisters, and wives who will never come home to their families,” Hutchinson said. “That’s 160 empty seats at the dinner table, and countless memories and moments that stopped being made the moments their loved ones stopped living. These jarring statistics inspired me to create something that will ensure these women will never be forgotten, and their sacrifices were not made in vain.”
“In Memoriam” will be a 10-piece collection, with each piece honoring one woman. To create the jewelry, Hutchinson will reach out to families of the fallen through the organizations like Fallen Female Warriors and Women Killed in Action from Post 9/11 Combat.
She will use information, like their birthstones, favorite colors and the types of jewelry they wore to create 10 pieces of jewelry that represent the lives and memories of women soldiers.”
“I want each piece to be distinctive to the extent it seems as if it was created for her by her,” she said.
To fund the line, Hutchinson has a page on crowdfunding site Hatchfund, where she aims to raise $12,000 to cover raw materials and costs for the labor and expenses related to producing and promoting the collection.
She has until Dec. 2 to raise at least $8,000 for the project to be funded.
Ten percent of the proceeds of each piece sold will go to one of two options. If the family has a memorial website for the fallen soldier, the money will be donated there. If not, the funds will be donated to a nonprofit organization of the family’s choice.
Hutchinson also told National Jeweler that she will replicate the piece if it is sold, and after Memorial Day 2017 that piece will be donated to the family as a piece with which they can remember their loved one.
After the collection is created, Hutchinson said she
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
would like to take the pieces on a tour to jewelry stores and galleries across the country, culminating in an exhibition at San Antonio’s Witte Museum for Veterans Day (November) 2017.
Hutchinson is an Iraq veteran and wounded warrior herself. While she was deployed to Iraq in 2006 as a military police officer for the Army, an explosive device severed her right leg, causing significant blood loss that led to severe limb movement disorder, third-degree burns, permanent back injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Hutchinson started making jewelry after an occupational therapist suggested trying a hobby that might help her regain control in her hands.
Hutchinson is an Iraq veteran and wounded warrior herself. While she was deployed to Iraq in 2006 as a military police officer for the Army, an explosive device severed her right leg, causing significant blood loss that led to severe limb movement disorder, third-degree burns, permanent back injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Hutchinson started making jewelry after an occupational therapist suggested trying a hobby that might help her regain control in her hands.
More on Trends
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
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.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
