CollectionsApr 25, 2025
Sylvie Looks to Water in New Sculptural Bridal Collection“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.
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
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
FinancialsApr 25, 2025
Kering’s Jewelry Brands Persevere as Q1 Sales Sink 14%Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.
EditorsApr 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Deborah Meyers Experience’s ‘The Birds’ EarringsDesigner Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.
Brought to you by
Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program Announces Second Cohort of Aspiring Jewelry Entrepreneurs Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.
SourcingApr 25, 2025
De Beers Sales, Production Fall in Q1 Amid UncertaintyThe company said it expects sightholders to remain “cautious” with their purchasing due to all the unknowns around the U.S. tariffs.
Weekly QuizApr 24, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
EditorsApr 24, 2025
Q&A: Wolf’s CEO Talks U.S. ExpansionSimon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessThe risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.
IndependentsApr 24, 2025
Longtime Iowa Jeweler Herman Ginsberg Dies at 99 A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.
FinancialsApr 24, 2025
Charles & Colvard Delisted From Nasdaq Due to NoncomplianceThe company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.
SourcingApr 24, 2025
Young Diamantaires Transition to NonprofitThe organization also announced its board of directors.
MajorsApr 23, 2025
Bulgari Doubles Size of Jewelry Factory in ItalyLocated in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.
Events & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ AwardPaola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to AuctionA platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.
MajorsApr 23, 2025
David Yurman’s New Campaign Stars Carmelo Anthony, Jaylen BrownThe basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine JewelryThe Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry CollectionThe 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of MouthLilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth OfficerGCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow IndependentThe Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 YearsVan Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise StrategyIndustry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host ConventionThe two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ PendantThe Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated StoreThe jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.
