Auctions

Jewelry Designers Unite to Raise Money for Refugees

AuctionsSep 19, 2017

Jewelry Designers Unite to Raise Money for Refugees

With more than 205 pieces from British and American jewelers, “Auction for Aid” will benefit two organizations helping refugees.

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Alison Moore Designs’ “Jorinda” pink tourmaline ring set in 9-karat gold and silver (suggested retail price is £269 or $263)

London--A number of jewelry designers have pulled together this week to raise money to aid the refugee crisis.

U.K.-based Ghazal Ghahri-Saremi of Soremi Jewellery has spearheaded the third annual edition of “Auction for Aid,” an online auction of jewelry featuring more than 205 pieces donated by British designers such as Polly Wales, Jo Hayes Ward, Ruth Tomlinson, Shimmel Madden and Disa Allsop.

The auction also went international this year, adding work from American designers such as Margery Hirschey, Todd Pownell and Tura Sudden.

Pieces available represent a range of styles and prices, with recommended retail prices for donated pieces running in the range of £25 to £15,000 (about $33.70 to $20,200 at current exchange rates).

The auction is live now, lasting through Sunday, Sept. 24. Pieces can be viewed and bid on via the event’s Facebook page.


Proceeds will go to two organizations: MOAS, a nongovernmental organization providing search and rescue operations for refugees in distress at sea, and Help Refugees, an organization that provides aid and advocate for refugees, currently running more than 80 projects across Europe and the Middle East focusing on education, food relief and community care.

All the funds raised for Help Refugees this year will go to its Baytna center, providing informal education and psycho-social support to refugee children from war ravaged nations who are currently in Greek camps.

In its first edition, Auction for Aid raised £10,000 ($13,514) with only two weeks of preparation, according to organizers. In its second year, it raised £25,000 ($33,785).

They expect this year to be even bigger given the increased awareness about the auction as well as the more than £40,000 ($54,055) worth of jewelry donated.
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

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