CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
AuctionsJun 01, 2020
‘Normal People’ Star Raffles Off Chain to Raise Funds
The piece worn by Paul Mescal’s character has become a star in its own right, and now he’s leveraging its celebrity to raise money for a mental health nonprofit.
Actor Paul Mescal is raffling off one of the chains he wears in television series “Normal People” to raise money for an organization providing mental health services. (Image courtesy Hulu/Element Pictures)
New York—The chain Paul Mescal’s character wears in “Normal People” has become a star in its own right, and now he’s leveraging its celebrity to raise funds for a nonprofit.
The television show, which debuted on BBC in the U.K. and Hulu in the U.S. at the end of April, tells the coming-of-age story of two Irish teenagers and their on-again, off-again relationship. It was adapted from Sally Rooney’s novel of the same name.
In it, Mescal, who plays Connell Waldron, is always seen wearing a thin chain around his neck.
Mescal told The Cut in an interview that he insisted on wearing a chain on the show, just as the character does in the book, and it seems to have been a smart move.
The chain has garnered such a strong reaction among viewers that social media accounts dedicated solely to it have popped up, including the Instagram account @connellschain, which posts only screenshots of the accessory and has 174,000 followers as of Monday morning.
There’s also a hashtag on Twitter, #connellschain, with its own dedicated emoji. When a tweet is posted using the hashtag, a graphic of a neck adorned with a chain automatically pops up after it.
Automatically generated emojis are known as “hashflags,” and generally are paid for and used during big events like the Super Bowl or the Oscars.
Meanwhile, numerous articles have been written solely on the chain and viewers’ obsession with it, including one from The Independent noting a 130 percent increase in sales of neck chains for British fashion etailer Asos in April.
Recognizing the power of the piece, Mescal is offering up one of his chains to raise money for a good cause.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Paul Mescal (@paul.mescal) on May 25, 2020 at 10:50am PDT
Those interested in winning his 14-karat white gold sports chain from London-based fine jewelry studio Roxanne First via the raffle can buy entries and they can also gain additional entries by spreading the word on social media.
The money will benefit Pieta, a nonprofit that offers free therapy services to people in suicidal distress, engaging in self-harm or bereaved from suicide.
As is the case for many charities and nonprofits right now, Pieta had to postpone its flagship fundraiser due to COVID-19, leaving it with a “very significant funding gap” in 2020, the organization said on the raffle page. It gets 80 percent of its funding from public donations to be able to offer its services free of charge.
Mescal announced the raffle just as the two “Normal People” episodes that deal with mental health issues were set to air on BBC.
The raffle runs through June 8. As of Monday morning, it had raised more than $59,000.
The raffle runs through June 8. As of Monday morning, it had raised more than $59,000.
More on Auctions
The Latest
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
