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
Policies & IssuesFeb 20, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Against Most of President Trump’s TariffsIn a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
MajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board ChairJVC also announced the election of five new board members.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
Weekly QuizFeb 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
Events & AwardsFeb 19, 2026
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Returns in MarchThe show will be held March 26-30 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
PodcastsFeb 18, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
MajorsFeb 18, 2026
Select Jewelry Inks Agreement to Distribute Lightweight Gold JewelryIt will lead distribution in North America for Graziella Braccialini's new gold pieces, which it said are 50 percent lighter.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
Events & AwardsFeb 18, 2026
DCA to Host Gemstone Selling Education Session at IJO EventThe nonprofit will present a live, two-hour introductory course on building confidence when selling colored gemstones.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
SourcingFeb 17, 2026
Colored Gemstone Experts Talk Tariffs, Trends in TucsonAlthough the market is robust, tariffs and precious metal prices are impacting the industry, Stuart Robertson and Brecken Branstrator said.
GradingFeb 17, 2026
Dr. George Rossman, Former GIA Governor, Dies at 81Rossman, who advised GIA for more than 50 years, is remembered for his passion and dedication to the field of gemology.
CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
MajorsFeb 13, 2026
JFC Announces New BeneficiariesThe nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.
MajorsFeb 12, 2026
These 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Stores Are ClosingParent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2026
British Museum Raises $5M to Keep Jewel Linked to Henry VIII, Katherine of AragonIt is believed the 24-karat heart-shaped enameled pendant was made for an event marking the betrothal of Princess Mary in 1518.
SourcingFeb 12, 2026
‘Cotton Candy’ Necklace, 35-Carat Kunzite Win 2025 ‘Buyer’s Choice’ AwardsThe AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge “Buyer’s Choice” award winners were announced at the Spectrum Awards Gala last week.
Events & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused AwardThe “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilThe event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
