TrendsJun 12, 2020
Designers, Industry Members Create FIT Jewelry Design Endowment for Black StudentsCollectionsJun 18, 2021
Foundrae Has an Epic Charitable Giveaway in Honor of Juneteenth
All proceeds of “Juneteenth Medallion” sales, as well as raffle tickets, benefit organizations that support BIPOC.
Foundrae is selling $25 raffle tickets for a chance to win this new medallion commemorating Juneteenth, along with the pictured chain, valued at a total $8,710. Proceeds from the raffle, as well as medallion sales, benefit organizations that support BIPOC.
New York—Fine jewelry brand Foundrae is predicated on the power of symbols and talismans, and its latest medallion represents the value of giving back to underserved communities.
The “Juneteenth Medallion” uses Roman numerals to depict the date marking the end of slavery in the United States—June 19, 1865.
Every Foundrae medallion is inscribed on the reverse side with the concept its symbol depicts, such as “Wholeness,” “Strength,” or “Karma.” The Juneteenth Medallion reads: “Social & Racial Justice.”
President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
It is the 12th legal public holiday in the United States and the first to be established in decades, since President Ronald Reagan signed Martin Luther King Jr. Day into law in 1983.
Here, Foundrae’s Juneteenth Medallion is pictured worn, along with the Sister Hook Charm, both of which will be given away via a charity raffle. Pictured at right is the medallion’s reverse side, engraved with “Social & Racial Justice.”
Growing up in South Texas, Juneteenth was on Foundrae designer Beth Bugdaycay’s radar as a longtime state holiday, but she noticed a lack of awareness around it in her current home, New York City.
“I thought maybe the lack of familiarity with Juneteenth in other parts of the U.S. could be that people saw the history of slavery as a Southern issue, but actually it’s part of our New York City history too,” she said, “It’s part of the history of every single territory of the United States.”
Bugdaycay has significant knowledge of the implications of slavery in New York City, serving on
a research committee of the Brooklyn Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) for the last few years as the group worked on a book, “Brooklyn, Quakers and Slavery.”
“I learned so much from being part of that research team,” she explained, “including the fact that Brooklyn, New York actually had the second-greatest population of enslaved Black people in the United States, second only to Charleston, South Carolina, due to the reliance on enslaved labor to harvest the primary crop grown in Kings County: tobacco.
“I think most people just don’t know that.”
The Juneteenth Medallion isn’t just about raising historical awareness, however. Bugdaycay intends it to have a real impact.
All of the proceeds of the pendant’s sale will benefit The Loveland Foundation, which helps provide access to therapy for Black women and girls, as well as The Lower Eastside Girls Club of NY.
Foundrae also has a giveaway underway to raise more money for these organizations.
This week, the New York City-based brand is selling raffle tickets for a Juneteenth Medallion and an accompanying 16-inch “Sister Hook Chain” which can be worn as a necklace or doubled over as a bracelet.
Both handmade in 18-karat yellow gold, the medallion retails for $2,195, and the chain for $6,515.
Raffle tickets cost $25 and are available for purchase online through June 18 at 8 p.m., in honor of Juneteenth.
“We have still not achieved social and racial justice in America,” Bugdaycay said.
“I believe that every single one of us has the ability to move the needle—even if it’s a little—we all have our areas of influence. For [Foundrae], we make jewelry, so this is something we were able to contribute.”
Related stories will be right here …
More on Collections
The Latest
SourcingJul 02, 2026
London Diamond Bourse Elects First Female PresidentCharlotte Rose said her election is “a sign that this is an industry capable of change.”
Supplier BulletinJul 02, 2026
Elevating Retail Showcases with Today's Necklace & Bracelet TrendsSponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply
TrendsJul 02, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Flag Brooch Celebrates AmericaThe American jewelry house, founded by Latvian immigrants, has been creating American flag brooches since 1917.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
IndependentsJul 02, 2026
D. Geller & Son Partners with KSU Art Students on Store MuralThe artwork celebrates the Atlanta jeweler’s legacy and symbolizes its commitment to supporting local artists and its community.
Weekly QuizJul 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJul 02, 2026
Stratus Estate Buyers Offers Jewelers Turnkey Buying EventsIts team can evaluate jewelry and watches, as well as luxury handbags, artwork, and collectibles.
SurveysJul 01, 2026
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JuneFalling oil prices were a factor in the slight month-over-month improvement.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
WatchesJul 01, 2026
Rolex Unveils Clock at Rockefeller CenterThe clock is part of the celebration for the soon-to-open Rolex headquarters on New York City’s Fifth Avenue.
IndependentsJul 01, 2026
Kristen Cannon of Valobra Master Jewelers Dies at 49The public relations professional is remembered for her benevolent generosity and unwavering commitment to those around her.
WatchesJun 30, 2026
Pokémon Fans Will Want to Catch This New G-Shock WatchThe new watch commemorates Pokémon’s 30th anniversary.
MajorsJun 30, 2026
Saks Global Emerges From Bankruptcy With New NameThe luxury retailer is now called Exemplar Luxury Group.
SourcingJun 30, 2026
Blue Nile Introduces Montana Sapphire CollectionThe new line is included in the e-tailer’s curation of jewelry celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
GradingJun 30, 2026
AGS Opens 2026 Recertification ExamAll active members who earned their credential or designation before Dec. 1, 2025, are required to recertify.
CollectionsJun 29, 2026
Briony Raymond’s New Collection Is a ‘Carousel’ of Hard StonesThe new jewelry collection uses a colorful palette of onyx, malachite, tiger’s eye, mother-of-pearl, lapis, turquoise, and coral.
IndependentsJun 29, 2026
Look Inside Lee Michaels’ Revamped Mississippi FlagshipLee Michaels Fine Jewelry is celebrating 30 years in the Ridgeland, Mississippi community.
GradingJun 29, 2026
National Rarities Announces New Gemology ManagerSean Milliner has joined the company.
GradingJun 29, 2026
GIA to Open New London CampusClasses will begin in August at GIA’s new Canary Wharf location.
AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
