SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
EditorsDec 14, 2016
The Maasai Library the Industry Can Help Build
A GoFundMe page has been launched to raise funds for construction of a library at a Tanzanian school.
The students at the Kitarini Maasai Children’s School near Longido, Tanzania, were never too shy to jump in front of the camera. This photo was taken by the author of this blog post when she traveled to East Africa in January.
At a time of year when it’s easy to get caught up in buying gifts, attending parties and trying to balance a busy schedule, it can be hard to find the time to stop and be grateful for what you do have, and to show that gratefulness by giving back.
So, I was only too happy to hear about an opportunity that recently popped up to do just that.
This one in particular is special to me. On my last full day in East Africa earlier this year, my travel companions and I got to visit the Kitarini Maasai Children’s School in rural northern Tanzania near the Kenyan border.
Local miners Sune and Pia Merisheki started the school. When Sune was on a prospecting trip one day, he came across a group of children gathered under a tree out in the bush for their schooling.
Wanting to help bring a real school to these children, the couple raised funds and petitioned the government for support. Kitarini now consists of a group of buildings with metal roofs with more than 400 children attending, many of whom have to walk miles from their homes every day just get to school.
Members of the jewelry industry have been getting more and more involved in the school, with a number of jewelry stores and gem cutters across the country collecting books from their local community for kids of all ages. They were packed up in suitcases and brought along on our visit in January to be donated.
Watching the grateful teachers and staff accept the books, and seeing the excited smiles on the students’ faces and happiness to be at school, it’s impossible not to be affected in a way that makes you want to do more.
Now, we can.
One of the gemstone cutters, Dan Lynch, on the trip has launched a GoFundMe page to help raise money to build a library at Kitarini and provide a place for those books to go so that the students can actually use them.
“There is no limit to the potential these children have and what can be unlocked through the power of reading. It becomes especially transforming that the surrounding villages will share this library. This humble library has the power to change the lives not only of the children from the school,
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
but become a community resource,” he says on the page.
The plans is to build the library in 2017, with Sune helping coordinate the construction locally. Any funds raised beyond what’s needed for the library will be put toward other needs of the school and its students, such as funding lunches or housing for the teachers.
There also might be online gemstones auctions in the future to help raise money; stay tuned for more information on that. In the meantime, visit the donation page here.
The plans is to build the library in 2017, with Sune helping coordinate the construction locally. Any funds raised beyond what’s needed for the library will be put toward other needs of the school and its students, such as funding lunches or housing for the teachers.
There also might be online gemstones auctions in the future to help raise money; stay tuned for more information on that. In the meantime, visit the donation page here.
More on Editors
The Latest
AuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner AuctionThese jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
CrimeOct 01, 2026
Police Looking for 4 Suspects in $600K Smash-and-Grab RobberyDubai Jewelers in Springfield, Virginia, was once again the target of an armed robbery.
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.
SourcingOct 01, 2026
Columbia Gem House Opens ‘Cutting Toward Change’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will benefit an organization working in India to combat silicosis, a lung disease affecting stone cutters.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes’ Championship Ring Reveals Hidden Hockey Puck PendantThe rings, crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills, celebrate the hockey team’s Stanley Cup win with design elements that honor its traditions.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Color Range This roundup of birthstone jewelry for October features vibrant tourmalines and opals with personality.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Botswana’s President, De Beers CEO Say Diamond Demand Is RecoveringPresident Duma Boko spoke at back-to-back events in the city last week, touting Botswana’s stability and the diamond “bounceback.”
CollectionsSep 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Book Is ‘A Living Archive’ The catalog showcases 112 new, one-of-a-kind pieces amid highlights from the jeweler’s historic archive.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Gemfields Posts $98.5M Loss, Writes Down Value of Ruby MineIts Montepuez Ruby Mining operation in Mozambique, which is not yielding enough high-quality rubies, has taken a $125 million hit.
SurveysSep 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls to 12-Year Low in SeptemberThose surveyed were worried about the present and the future, with write-in responses mentioning high oil and gas prices.
Events & AwardsSep 30, 2026
Jewelers of America, JA New York to Host Networking EventThe event will take place on the evening of Oct. 26 in New York City.
IndependentsSep 29, 2026
Christy Bromberg, Longtime Gift Buyer for Underwood Jewelers, Dies at 68She is remembered for her joie de vivre, upbeat personality, genuine interest in other people, and love of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
Dionne Warwick’s Jewelry Goes Up for AuctionOnline bidding is open now for Julien’s sale of items owned by the “Walk On By” singer, whose final album comes out this fall.
Events & AwardsSep 29, 2026
Matt Stuller to Receive 2027 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementThe founder and executive chairman of Stuller Inc. is being honored for his impact on the jewelry industry at the 25th annual Gem Awards.
ColumnistsSep 29, 2026
Your Holiday Marketing Has a Bridal Blind SpotDecember is the most popular month to propose, and jewelers need to keep that in mind when planning their holiday marketing.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction Wednesday.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
De Beers London Drops Water-Inspired High Jewelry Collection“Vibrations” features several firsts for De Beers’ high jewelry, including the use of chalcedony and diamonds sourced from artisanal miners.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
Jessica McCormack Turns to Classic Motif for New CollectionThe “Bows” collection features three interpretations of the bow motif designed with Georgian and Victorian influences.
Events & AwardsSep 28, 2026
Guy Borenstein, Troy Underwood Among the Professionals Honored at AGS Conclave 2026The American Gem Society recognized industry members, one Guild, and a law enforcement official for their contributions to jewelry.
