Trends

Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s Pendant for the NAACP

TrendsJun 05, 2020

Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s Pendant for the NAACP

All proceeds from the sale of the made-to-order piece will benefit the organization dedicated to fighting for justice for black lives.

20200608-POTW-HarwellGodfrey.jpg
All proceeds from the sale of the made-to-order piece will benefit the organization dedicated to fighting for justice for black lives.
Right now, Americans are being called to recognize, understand and act to end racial inequity and discrimination in our country.

It’s a task that requires participation from all but attention particularly paid to the historically repressed few whose voices have been muffled and ignored.

Even businesses, long trained to remain neutral on anything remotely political for fear of alienating customers, are being asked to publicly pledge themselves to the fight for equality for all people.

To highlight black jewelry designers for the sake of their race would, in this editor’s opinion, feel like missing the point, doling out a sort of praise couched by obligation at best or, at worst, a self-serving agenda to prove my own morality.

After all, the thousands protesting now aren’t asking for special treatment for black people; they’re asking for regular and just treatment.

One voice that feels particularly resonant in this moment is that of a company donating 100 percent of proceeds from this “Piece of the Week” jewel to the NAACP.

Lauren Harwell Godfrey is the creative force behind Harwell Godfrey. As a black woman in an overwhelmingly white pool of American jewelry design contemporaries, her voice and actions take on a significant importance in the current climate.

However, it’s important to emphasize, any recognition she receives is predicated on the basis of her extraordinary talent.

Harwell Godfrey has become one of the most exciting fine jewelry brands to watch in the past couple of years, demonstrating an aptitude for joyful color and bold geometric motifs.

She first created this pendant in malachite to raise money for World Central Kitchen’s mission to feed the food insecure during COVID-19.

Now, a made-to-order onyx version will benefit the NAACP. With a lead time of six to eight weeks, the sketch at top is a sneak peek of what the onyx, 18-karat yellow gold, and diamond pendant with bail will look like.

The gold triangle motif is a Harwell Godfrey signature. Here, it represents the reparation of a broken heart and is a hopeful plea for the future.

Priced at $2,500 retail, so far it’s raised over $13,000 for the NAACP.

For more information, visit the designer’s website.

Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

GIA pink CVD diamond
Lab-GrownNov 10, 2026
GIA Examines Pink Lab-Grown Diamond Made to Look Natural

The 6-carat CVD-grown pink diamond was “deliberately modified” to mimic the appearance of a natural rough diamond, the lab said.

Screenshot of Botswana President Duma Boko during 2026 State of Nation address
SourcingNov 10, 2026
Botswana in Line to Take Controlling Stake in De Beers, President Says

If the Global Diamond Consortium emerges as the top bidder for De Beers, Botswana’s stake will double to 30 percent, Duma Boko said Monday.

Emmanuel Raheb, CEO of Smart Age Solutions
ColumnistsNov 10, 2026
Who Checks the Facts When AI Writes Your Jewelry Copy?

An incorrect AI-generated ad or product description can cost your store valuable consumer trust.

dsf antique jewelry ceylon intaglio sapphire .jpg
Brought to you by
DSF Antique Jewelry: Fine Jewelry, Signed Designers, and a World of Rare Discoveries

With over 50 years experience in the trade, DSF Antique Jewelry offers quality, craftsmanship, condition, and remarkable variety.

Gem Awards Gala 2026
Events & AwardsNov 09, 2026
Here Are the 2027 Gem Award Nominees

These nine individuals and brands are up for a Gem Award in the Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation categories.

Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Stock image of crime scene tape
CrimeNov 09, 2026
Jeweler Pistol-Whipped, $900K in Jewelry Stolen During Home Invasion

The incident, which happened in Miami-Dade County, serves as a reminder to jewelers of the dangers of selling and storing jewelry at home.

Tourmaline inclusion in muscovite mica
GradingNov 09, 2026
GIA Acquires Thousands of Gem Specimens With ‘Extraordinary’ Inclusions

GIA Analytical Microscopist John Koivula curated the collection of 2,665 crystals, gems, and minerals over a 60-year span.

overnight btyb 1026.png
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to Sell

With customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.

 Bibi van der Velden Eclipse Campaign Imagery
CollectionsNov 09, 2026
Bibi van der Velden’s Alligators Become High Jewelry

The “Eclipse” collection, the brand’s first high jewelry line, centers its alligator motif in diamond and spinel jewels.

Daughters of the Deep indicolite earrings
EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking About

From a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.

Colin Jost in Kay Jewelers holiday ad
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday Ad

Jost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.

GCAL 8X_NJSB_1.jpg
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the Counter

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine

Wrapped holiday gift boxes
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This Year

From shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.

Little Pet Portrait Pendants by Russell Jones & Judi Powers
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New Collaboration

The designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.

Brilliant Earth Elizabeth Taylor jewelry
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3

Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.

Swarovski Joy: The Swarovski Musical Campaign with Ariana Grande
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign

“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.

GIA logo
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday Services

The lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.

Cartier bracelet and ring
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia Airport

A Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.

Pandora celestial chandelier earrings
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on Design

New collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.

NYC Jewelry Week Biolgems Jewelry Exhibition
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition Yet

The citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.

Lanessa Elrod
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New President

Lanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.

Replica of Infinity Gauntlet
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for Auction

A replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.

Arthur Klein
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89

Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.

Zadok Jewelers
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet Giveaway

To enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.

David Yurman Gem Awards Grant 2027 Graphic
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 Applications

The grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.

Kirstin Viland, Joanna Kovacs, Shari Lukacs
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship Winners

The winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.

Sothebys Romanov sapphire
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s Geneva

The rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy