The jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
These Greek Jewels Are Up for Auction
Pieces from designers Nikos Koulis and Prounis will benefit Greece’s humanitarian and economic recovery.

New York—The Hellenic Initiative’s eighth annual gala has, predictably, gone virtual.
Each year, Greek jewelry, fashion and home designers donate pieces to be auctioned ahead of the gala, with raised funds benefiting the initiative that supports Greece’s humanitarian and economic recovery through aiding various nonprofit organizations and investing in Greek entrepreneurs and leaders.
This year, representing Greece’s rich jewelry tradition in the silent charity auction are jewels from Nikos Koulis, an Athens native, and Prounis, the eponymous line by American designer Jean Prounis, who is of Greek heritage and whose work is inspired by jewels from ancient Greece and Rome.
Nikos Koulis is offering a sleek 18-karat white gold pendant with emerald, white diamonds and black diamonds on an 18-karat white gold chain from the “Oui” collection.
Normally sold for $4,000, bids start at $2,000 for the piece.
Prounis, meanwhile, is offering its “Nona Drop Earrings,” so called for the Latin term meaning “having nine.” It refers to the nine granules featured in each 22-karat gold earring, which also features a rainbow moonstone cabochon.
Handmade in New York City and valued at $4,000, the earrings also start at $2,000.
More affordable jewels include the gift-worthy Elena Votsi “Evil Eye Bracelet” made of blown glass on a pink cord, which has a $175 minimum bid and sells for $340; a rhodium-plated sterling silver cuff from Huffy Jewels valued at $500 and starting at $250; and rhodium-plated sterling silver earrings from Vanile on the Rock by Vanessa Geroulanos, valued at $160 and available at a minimum bid of $75.
The auction is underway now, concluding Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. EDT in concurrence with the virtual gala.
The Hellenic Initiative was established in 2012. The secular nonprofit has committed or distributed $5.7 million toward direct crisis relief, plus $10.1 million toward economic and entrepreneurial development.
This year, funds raised are earmarked for hunger relief, health and social welfare support, as well as vocational training.
Not limited to jewels, the auction also offers art, spirits, food and luxury vacations. The full list, with bids open to all, is online.
Last year’s gala garnered more than $2.3 million.
The Latest

The Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.

The auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

Fine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.


Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.

Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

Laughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.

Gretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.

The California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.

A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 13.

The auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.

Zaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.

Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.

The British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.

The “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.

Nelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.

Cat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.

Arnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.

The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.

The stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.

Engagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Former Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.

The veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.

Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
























