Editors

Bee-ing helpful

EditorsApr 08, 2015

Bee-ing helpful

Isn’t it always nice to hear that donated funds actually have helped a person or organization reach a goal?

Think about it. As consumers, we’re often asked at checkout lines to donate a dollar to one organization or the other. Sometimes we’re asked in other places, too; outside grocery stores, through the mail, perhaps at fairs or other community events. Of all the times you’ve donated, how often did you hear back from the organization to let you know your dollar made a difference?

Many of us in the jewelry industry are lucky enough to say we have, first-hand, seen the difference our dollars make through one organization, Jewelers for Children. JFC regularly invites children who have been touched by the charity’s generosity to speak at industry events, showing us in the most personalized way exactly where our donations went.

It makes people feel good. It makes them believe they can, and do, help to make a difference.

But outside of this, what other times are you granted the opportunity to see the results of your donations? Does the grocery store call you back to tell you that $5 million was donated to the Jimmy Fund? Did the ASPCA email you a bulletin to tell you they fed 10 dogs with your dollar?

I do understand that many organizations have longer-term goals, or put donated funds toward research and are unable to check accomplishments off their lists as quickly as others. My point here is that it’s refreshing and uplifting when I do see donations directly help achieve a greater good, so I was pleasantly surprised when a friend from Gumuchian reached out to me on Wednesday morning to tell me that funds donated from the sale of one of their collections ultimately did just that.

Last spring, Michelle Graff wrote an informative blog on the plight of the honeybee: how colonies are collapsing, hives are failing and bees are dying, as covered in a Swiss documentary called More than Honey. At the end of her blog, she highlighted two brands that were introducing bee-related jewelry designs, the sales of which would profit organizations working to understand and combat the factor contributing to bee colony collapse.

One of these brands was Gumuchian, which debuted its “B” collection at last year’s Couture show. The B collection offers honeycomb-themed jewelry made in 18-karat gold with diamonds, and a proceeds of all sales from the line go to HoneyLove, which champions urban beekeeping and home gardens.


 

From

Gumuchian’s B collection, an 18-karat gold and yellow sapphire sunflower charm ($1,800 retail) and an 18-karat yellow gold and diamond honey bee charm ($2,400 retail)

Well, wouldn’t you know it--Gumuchian announced Wednesday that an urban beekeeper symposium and workshop was held last month thanks to donations received through the sale of the B collection.

Held at the Grow Native nursery in Los Angeles, the workshop taught attendees how to set up a “swarm box” on their property in order to help save the feral bee population.

“We taught people step-by-step how to set up a treatment-free, foundation-less langstroth hive (the standard type of bee hive used by beekeepers) from scratch and how to make starter strips with beeswax,” said Honey Love CEO Chelsea McFarland. “The workshop was open to the public of all ages, had great attendance, and inspired a new group of beekeepers.”

That’s good news for us all, as bees pollinate about 80 percent of the world’s plant species.

Myriam Gumuchian, vice president and director of sales at Gumuchian, said they’ll be continuing their partnership with HoneyLove through 2015.

“It was wonderful seeing exactly how the donations were being used and even better knowing that we’re a part of something so important and vital to our livelihood,” she said.

Myriam, I’m with you!

Gumuchian will showcase the B collection again at this year’s Couture show. To get in touch with Myriam about the B collection, contact her at myriam@gumuchian.com or at 212-588-7081.

 

The Latest

Diamonds Do Good honoree Govind Dholakia at medical camp
SourcingMar 12, 2025
Indian Leader, Retailer Among 2025 DDG Honorees

Govind Dholakia and Tanishq will be recognized for their contributions to the industry at the Diamonds Do Good Awards in Las Vegas.

New Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council Chairman Kirit Bhansali
SourcingMar 12, 2025
Q&A: New GJEPC Chairman Kirit Bhansali

Bhansali discusses the potential impact of U.S. tariffs, demand for diamonds by market, and the “cautious confidence” in India right now.

Limelight Lab Grown Diamond store in India
Lab-GrownMar 12, 2025
Beyond Jewelry: Possibilities in the Lab-Grown Diamond Sector

As lab-grown diamond brands pop up across India, academics are researching how to grow demand outside of the jewelry industry.

Supplier Spotlight -Recorded-Webinar.png
Brought to you by
Watch: GIA Field Gemology at the One-Hundredth Expedition: A Look Back and to the Future

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

A rough diamond and a polished diamond
SourcingMar 12, 2025
5 Factors That Will Impact the Diamond Industry in 2025

The industry is changing as it grapples with new realities around distribution, supply, and the need for consistent, effective marketing.

Weekly QuizMar 06, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Marla Aaron Liberty London Shop-in-Shop
IndependentsMar 12, 2025
Marla Aaron Migrates to London

The New York City-based brand has opened its first U.K. location with a permanent shop-in-shop at Liberty in London.

Medieval sapphire bishop ring
AuctionsMar 12, 2025
A Medieval Bishop’s Sapphire Ring Is Going Up for Sale

A metal detectorist discovered the ring that is believed to have belonged to a bishop in the late 12th to early 13th century.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

JA New York sign
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2025
JA New York Announces Education, Live Demo Lineups

Organizers looked to new partnerships and interactive experiences to enhance the spring show, set for March 16 to 18.

Jewelers Vigilance Committee annual luncheon 2025 logo
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2025
Bogolo Joy Kenewendo to Speak at Annual JVC Luncheon

Kenewendo, Botswana’s minister of minerals and energy, will discuss the future of diamonds.

Jaythan Lawrence Gilder and body scan
CrimeMar 11, 2025
Man in Florida Swallows Allegedly Stolen Tiffany & Co. Jewelry

The suspect allegedly stole almost $800,000 worth of diamond jewelry from a store in Orlando and then swallowed it during a traffic stop.

Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams
ColumnistsMar 11, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Pose on the Red Carpet

Ahead of the Gem Awards on Friday, Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share pro tips for taking the best photos.

Marco Bicego 25 Years Campaign Isabeli Fontana
CollectionsMar 11, 2025
Marco Bicego Celebrates 25 Years With Collection, Campaign

Founded in 2000, Marco Bicego is commemorating its milestone anniversary with a “25 Best” collection and campaigns honoring its heritage.

Hill & Co The List
TechnologyMar 11, 2025
Hill & Co. Launches New B2B Buyer Database

Those attending the company’s upcoming Zoom workshop will receive early access to “The List,” its new resource for finding buyers.

Amy-Elise Signeavsky GIA
Events & AwardsMar 11, 2025
JSA to Honor GIA Employee at Annual Luncheon

The organization will present an award to Amy-Elise Signeavsky, law enforcement and diamond recovery manager at GIA.

Picture of Terry Chandler, president and CEO of the Diamond Council of America
MajorsMar 10, 2025
Terry Chandler to Retire After 24 Years as Head of DCA

Chandler started his jewelry career at Michelson Jewelers, joining the Diamond Council of America as president and CEO in 2001.

MaeVona King of the Mountains Torc
CollectionsMar 10, 2025
MaeVona Co-Founder Debuts 3D-Printed ‘Tùsaire’ Collection

Scottish American designer Maeve Gillies collaborated with Platinum Guild International on jewelry created by direct metal 3D printing.

The Jewelry Symposium 2025 Scholarship Winners
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Announces 2025 Scholarship Winners

Ahead of its trade show in May, TJS awarded free registration and accommodations to five up-and-coming jewelry industry professionals.

Gem Awards New York City
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2025
These Designers, Journalists, and Retailers Are Up for a Gem Award

The 2025 Gem Awards are set to take place Friday at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.

Jane Fonda, America Ferrera, Mariska Hargitay, Laura Harrier, Mattia Furlani, Gianvito Martino, Sabina Belli in Pomellato International Women’s Day campaign
MajorsMar 07, 2025
Jane Fonda, Mariska Hargitay Star in Pomellato’s IWD Campaign

The annual star-studded campaign for International Women’s Day encourages collective action against domestic violence.

Yeprem Golden Strada Statement Necklace
CollectionsMar 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yeprem’s ‘Golden Strada’ Necklace

The statement piece is seen in Yeprem’s new “You Play the Game” campaign, created for International Women’s Day.

Kyle Slosson
MajorsMar 07, 2025
Borsheims Names New Senior Security and Facilities Manager

Longtime employee Kyle Slosson has been promoted to the role.

Dan and Hope Wixon with dog
IndependentsMar 06, 2025
Wixon Jewelers to Close After 37 Years

First-generation jewelers Dan and Hope Wixon are retiring and will close their Minneapolis-area jewelry store in May.

3.1 Phillip Lim x Guzema Snake necklaces and bracelets
CollectionsMar 06, 2025
Guzema, 3.1 Phillip Lim Collab on New ‘Snake’ Designs

The limited-edition collection, a nod to the Year of the Snake, is Ukrainian brand Guzema’s first partnership with a U.S. brand.

Stephen Barnes
IndependentsMar 06, 2025
Stephen Barnes Is the New Owner of IJO

After more than 50 years, Jeff Roberts is handing over ownership of the organization to IJO President Stephen Barnes.

Borsheims Senior Jeweler Jay Wolff
Events & AwardsMar 06, 2025
Borsheims’ ‘Ike-It’ Award Goes to Jeweler

Senior Jeweler Jay Wolff was named employee of the year.

Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas flagship
MajorsMar 05, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Store to Close, Confirms Saks Global

The 111-year-old store will close following a dispute among Saks Global, a landlord, and the City of Dallas over a small piece of land.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy