EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
IndependentsDec 19, 2017
The Jeweler Giving Necklaces to Benefit Thomas Fire Victims
Ventura, California’s Fox Fine Jewelry is giving diamond necklaces to those who lost their homes.
Fox Fine Jewelry created this necklace for people who lost their homes in the Thomas Fire.
Ventura, Calif.--Fox Fine Jewelry’s local community has been ravaged by California’s Thomas Fire that began two weeks ago, and so this holiday season, the jewelry store is focused on bringing a small measure of joy to those most devastated by it.
The Thomas Fire has raged since Dec. 4. It currently is the third largest fire on record in California but is predicted to become the largest and expected to burn well into January.
Now, the Ventura, California store is giving away necklaces to the people who lost their homes in the fire. The necklace says “Ventura” and is accented with a white diamond.
On the Fox Fine Jewelry website, the retailer explains: “The (Thomas Fire) survivors might have their wedding ring, but usually nothing else. Our community was in shock and many rallied to help them through volunteering and donating. Our way of helping is to give them a diamond necklace. With hundreds already given away, one will see these necklaces around the community as a reminder that we are stronger together.”
So far, about 300 people have claimed the necklaces, with the number rising.
As most jewelers contend with the busiest sales time of year, Fox finds itself in a very different place.
“We’ve had a very sad stream of people with horrific stories,” owner Debbie Fox said. “It’s really been very difficult. We’ve been grief counselors.”
To keep up with demand, the Foxes are also selling their Ventura necklace to those who didn’t lose homes but want to show their support; half of those proceeds go to the Thomas Fire Fund.
“The fire grew beyond Ventura the city, so we made another necklace that says ‘Thrive 805’ so we have options for wherever people live,” Fox said, referencing the local area code.
The two necklaces retail for $300 each, with a non-diamond version of the “Ventura” necklace available for $100. The “Thrive” necklace also supports the Thomas Fire Fund with half of its proceeds.
When asked, Fox told National Jeweler that her “sales have been devastated,” as the store had to close for a week due to the smoke. Since reopening they have largely been dealing with giving away necklaces--five to 50 a day so far.
About 1,000 homes were lost in the area.
While none of her staff lost their homes, “a lot of us were evacuated,” Fox said, and when the
store re-opened they had to contend with figuring out which employees were able to go into work and which roads they could access to get there.
More on Independents
The Latest
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America Aligns New Mission to Create Meaningful Impact for MembersFrom educational programs, advocacy, and recent MJSA affiliation, Jewelers of America drives progress that elevates businesses of all sizes.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Cornell’s Jewelers Names New PresidentCourtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.
Weekly QuizNov 06, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
De Beers’ Production, Sales Increase in Q3 De Beers also announced more changes in its upper ranks ahead of parent company Anglo American’s pending sale of the company.
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.
AuctionsNov 05, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Designer Makes Her Auction DebutKindred Lubeck of Artifex has three rings she designed with Anup Jogani in Sotheby’s upcoming Gem Drop sale.
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Pandora Posts Modest Q3 Sales Growth Amid ‘Weak’ Consumer Sentiment The company focused on marketing in the third quarter and introduced two new charm collections, “Pandora Talisman” and “Pandora Minis.”
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Climb 10%The jewelry retailer raised its full-year guidance, with CFO Jeff Kuo describing the company as “very well positioned” for the holidays.
Policies & IssuesNov 04, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case WednesdayAhead of the hearing, two industry organizations co-signed an amicus brief urging the court to declare Trump’s tariffs unlawful.
MajorsNov 04, 2025
Danny Clark to Become Stuller CEO, Succeeding Matt StullerStuller COO Belit Myers will take on the additional role of president, with all changes effective at the start of 2026.
ColumnistsNov 04, 2025
Peter Smith: What Do Birds Have to Do With the Price of Gold? Smith cautions retailers against expending too much energy on things they can’t control, like the rising price of gold.
TrendsNov 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Fall Colors for November BirthdaysCitrine and topaz are birthstones fit for fall as the leaves change color and the holiday season approaches.
IndependentsNov 04, 2025
Weston Jewelers Heads to Fort LauderdaleThe family-owned jeweler will open its fourth store in Florida in late 2027.
CrimeNov 03, 2025
Men Dressed as Construction Workers Burglarize Jeweler’s Home The NYPD is looking for three men who stole a safe and jewelry valued at $3.2 million from the home of a jeweler in Jamaica Hills, Queens.
MajorsNov 03, 2025
Matthew Rosenheim Takes Over as JA Board ChairThe trade organization also announced its executive committee and five new directors.
CollectionsNov 03, 2025
Muse’s ‘Have a Heart’ Collab Returns, Now With DDGThe “Have a Heart x Diamonds Do Good” collection is championed by model and humanitarian Flaviana Matata and will benefit her foundation.
AuctionsNov 03, 2025
Kashmir Sapphire Ring Tops Christie's Online AuctionThe ring, set with a nearly 17-carat Kashmir cabochon sapphire, sold for $1 million.
TrendsOct 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Spinner Fit for ‘Frankenstein’This “Mother Father” spinner necklace from Heavenly Vices Fine Jewelry draws inspiration from Victorian Era jewelry.
CrimeOct 31, 2025
5 More Arrested in Louvre Heist, Jewelry Still Missing The suspects were rounded up in Paris and its suburbs on Wednesday night, but none of the stolen jewels were recovered with them.
Recorded WebinarsOct 31, 2025
Watch: How to Master Google Reviews for Your BusinessExperts share top tips on how to encourage positive reviews and handle negative feedback.
Supplier BulletinOct 30, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
CrimeOct 30, 2025
29-Year-Old Man Charged in Multiple Seattle-Area Smash and Grabs The suspect faces charges in the August robbery of Menashe & Sons Jewelers and is accused of committing smash and grabs at two pawn shops.
Lab-GrownOct 30, 2025
Alison Lou’s New Collection Uses Lab-Grown Diamonds and ResinThe “Lumière Fine” collection was born from designer Alison Chemla’s interest in the transformative power of light.
TrendsOct 30, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Haunted HalloweenShow off your spooky side with these 12 festive jewels.
