CollectionsMay 21, 2025
Bulgari Highlights Its Colorful Past in Phenomenal ‘Polychroma’ CollectionThe jeweler’s high jewelry collection features extraordinary gemstones, like a 241.06-carat emerald and the world’s fourth-largest spinel.
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
ColumnistsMay 21, 2025
Edahn’s Take: Analyzing the 2025 ‘$100 Million Supersellers’ List In a special column for the State of the Majors, Edahn Golan breaks down what the top-performing fine jewelry sellers are doing right.
MajorsMay 21, 2025
Beyoncé Dons Brilliant Earth Necklace During Cowboy Carter TourThe bolo tie necklace is inspired by “Queen Bey” and set with a nearly 15-carat black diamond.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingMay 21, 2025
Gem Legacy Expands Advisory CouncilThe nonprofit focused on mining communities in East Africa has added three new members to its advisory council.
Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsMay 20, 2025
Annie Doresca to Lead DCA as New CEO, PresidentCurrent Diamond Council of America President and CEO Terry Chandler is set to retire in January 2026.
FinancialsMay 20, 2025
QVC Group to Voluntarily Delist from NasdaqThe company's Series A shares will continue to trade following a reverse stock split while its Series B shares will be delisted.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
ColumnistsMay 20, 2025
Peter Smith: Leading Through ChangeCommunicating clearly with your staff is key to navigating turbulent times, writes columnist Peter Smith.
IndependentsMay 20, 2025
Luis Morais Opens Flagship, Launches Collection Celebrating 25 YearsThe “Inner Journey” collection debuted as the brand celebrated its 25th anniversary, with designs inspired by Morais’ journey.
MajorsMay 20, 2025
Tanishq Opens Seventh U.S. StoreTanishq is expanding its presence in the United States with a new store in Santa Clara, California, which is its largest in the country.
FinancialsMay 19, 2025
Jewelry Sales a Standout for Richemont in 2024Sales for Richemont’s four jewelry brands increased 8 percent, while watch sales picked up toward the end of the year.
Events & AwardsMay 19, 2025
NAJA Opens Scholarship Applications for 2025Two scholarships are available, one for new and non-members and another for NAJA certified members.
IndependentsMay 19, 2025
Day’s Jewelers to Open Ninth LocationThe retailer’s new flagship is set to open in October at the Tuscan Village development in Salem, New Hampshire.
SourcingMay 19, 2025
State of Colored Stones: The Big Three in the Modern WorldSapphires, emeralds, and rubies are finding their place in a U.S. market captivated by the gemstones once referred to as “semi-precious.”
MajorsMay 16, 2025
Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon Partner on Luxury Online StorefrontPlus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.
Recorded WebinarsMay 16, 2025
Watch: Physical Retail Is Not DeadPeter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.
CollectionsMay 16, 2025
Piece of the Week: Tejen’s ‘Candy Bowl’ Torque NecklaceThe necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.
Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
AuctionsMay 15, 2025
'The Mediterranean Blue' Diamond Sells for $21M at Sotheby’sA private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for SummerThe designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With DisabilitiesAround 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at ConvergeThe event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
