U.S. customs agents in El Paso, Texas, intercepted the package, which would have been worth $9 million if the jewelry was genuine.
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

Ten organizations were selected this year.

Kim Carpenter and Sam Gevisenheit have joined the brand.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.


Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.

Designer Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.

Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.

The company said it expects sightholders to remain “cautious” with their purchasing due to all the unknowns around the U.S. tariffs.

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Simon 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.

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

The company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.

The organization also announced its board of directors.

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.

Industry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
The two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.