Diamonds Do Good Announces Inaugural Grant Program
Diamonds Do Good has announced the introduction of a $100,000 entrepreneurship grant program, to be managed through United People Global (UPG), a community facilitated by United People Global Foundation, an independent not-for-profit based in Geneva. UPG currently runs the largest sustainability leadership training that supports young changemakers in over 100 countries working on local projects addressing all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The focus region for these inaugural grants will be southern Africa, in keeping with the Diamonds Do Good mission of supporting initiatives that develop and empower diamond communities worldwide. A minimum of five grantees will be identified, with funding ranging from $5,000 to $20,000.
“An entrepreneur is someone who brings a solution to life. UPG Biashara (the Zulu term for ‘business’) supports entrepreneurs in their journey to turn beautiful sparks into enduring flames,” said Yemi Babington-Ashaye, president of United People Global, in a statement.
For more information on the grant program, visit here.
BIJC Introduces Contest to Win and Design Diamond Engagement Ring
The Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC), a nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of Black professionals in the gem, jewelry, and watch industries, has announced the Together by Design contest, celebrating Black love and jewelry design. The winning prize: a custom 1.31 ct. diamond engagement ring valued at $7,500. The stone was donated by Leo Schachter Diamonds.
Now through Wednesday, Oct. 20, couples who are not yet married (though they can already be engaged) can share their love stories by visiting the contest’s webpage and filling in the required fields. The winning couple, who will be announced Nov. 3, will work with a Black jewelry designer to create a one-of-a-kind ring featuring the 1.31 ct. diamond; they will also receive a proposal photo shoot. The winner will be selected by a panel of judges.
Once the winning couple is selected, the second phase of the contest opens to jewelry designers, who will compete for the chance to create the winner’s ring. Entrants must sketch a ring based on the couple’s love story. The winner, who will be selected by another panel of judges, will receive a $5,000 cash prize, a scholarship for a two-hour GIA Continuing Education Seminar, a scholarship for basic tuition at GRS for engraving or stone setting, a scholarship for basic tuition at New Approach School in Tennessee, a one-year membership to Jewelers of America, and a one-year membership to Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
For contest rules and to enter, visit blackinjewelry.org/together-by-design.
The Jewelers Circle Celebrates One-Year Anniversary
Online jewelry marketplace the Jewelers Circle is celebrating its first anniversary. The marketplace, which offers jewelry, gemstones, and vintage, enables retailers and industry professionals to connect and transact virtually without platform commissions.
In celebration of this milestone, the Jewelers Circle is debuting From the Vault, a digital feature showcasing an assortment of jewelry demonstrating the treasures that have been found on the platform over the past year.
On Wednesday, Oct. 13, the Jewelers Circle will also host a free seminar, “The Importance of Jewelry Photography—Pro Tips for Capturing Bespoke Pieces,” featuring high jewelry photographer Leo Bieber. Bieber will share expert tips on lighting, styling, proportion, and visual storytelling, as well as best practices for hiring a professional photographer.
“Last year during the pandemic, the Jewelers Circle platform was conceptualized and then developed after recognizing that global business travel and in-person events would be greatly impacted,” said cofounder and managing director Marianne Fisher in a statement. “We sought to create a digital solution to showcase some of the rarest and most exquisite vintage and signed pieces as well as gemstones in a virtual marketplace where fine jewelers, designers, dealers, and retailers from around the world could connect, discover, and ultimately do business at any time and from anywhere. We are thrilled to celebrate a successful first year in business and very grateful to the community that has joined us. We have continued to enhance and evolve the platform based on the feedback and needs of our subscribers over the past 12 months. It is truly invigorating hearing about the relationships being forged and business transactions that have occurred because of the platform. We thank our subscribers for being part of the ever-growing community and look forward to continuing to launch new features to optimize luxury businesses, digitally.”
For more information, and to register for the webinar, visit jewelerscircle.com.
Shy Creation Granted Responsible Jewellery Council Certification
Shy Creation is now a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council, it recently announced, after undergoing an independent external audit reviewing its systems and practices.
“We are proud to become a certified member of RJC. Membership reflects our continuous commitment to the highest degree of ethics and social responsibility at all levels of the supply chain,” said CEO David Dayan in a statement. “We strive to make the finest and highest quality jewelry along with our commitment to environmental and social ethics. RJC provides a path to demonstrate confidence to the consumer and retailer alike that the jewelry industry is a leader in promoting social justice, sustainability, and responsible business practices.”
The nonprofit RJC seeks to establish standards for a responsible global supply chain. Each member of the RJC is certified through a third-party independent process, to ensure that it adopts environmental, social, ethical, and responsible practices in its sourcing and use of previous metals, diamonds, and colored gemstones.
For more information, visit shycreation.com and responsiblejewellery.com.
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