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Brilliant Earth Honors the Late Jane Goodall, Its Recent Collaborator

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Brilliant Earth is paying tribute to Jane Goodall with both a second collection and a special message upon the death of the 91-year-old conservationist and peace advocate.

Goodall died of natural causes while in California on a U.S. speaking tour, according to an Oct. 1 social media post by the Jane Goodall Institute. “Dr. Goodall’s discoveries as an ethologist revolutionized science, and she was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world,” the post said.

Brilliant Earth had debuted the limited-edition Jane Goodall Peace Medallion necklace in September, its second offering in collaboration with Goodall. The diamond brand, known for its ethical sourcing, introduced its Jane Goodall Collection last year.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my friend and collaborator Dr. Jane Goodall,” Brilliant Earth cofounder and CEO Beth Gerstein said in a statement released Oct. 2. “Her life and legacy are nothing short of extraordinary. She forever changed how the world understands our connection to nature, and inspired generations to protect it.”

Gerstein noted that she’d seen Goodall “just last week…in New York to fundraise for her institute at the launch of our second collection, and her curiosity and conviction remained as vibrant as ever. I can still see the awe in the face of the 10-year-old girl in the front row of our talk who hung on to every word Jane spoke.”

BE Jane Goodall brooch
From Brilliant Earth’s Jane Goodall Collection: Peace Brooch in 14k yellow gold with 3.61 cts. t.w. lab-grown diamonds ($5,000)

“I’ve personally witnessed grown men and women cry just to be in Jane’s presence,” Gerstein said. “In rooms filled with amazing world and business leaders, I’ve seen people rendered speechless when meeting her.”

Brilliant Earth’s new medallion features a hand-engraved dove and olive branch motif, a nod to Goodall’s lifelong dedication to peace. The broader collection uses the olive branch and leaf in necklaces, rings, and other fine jewelry. All the pieces are made with 99% repurposed gold and lab-grown diamonds. Available online and in select Brilliant Earth showrooms, the collection combines artistry, activism, and environmentalism through its jewelry pieces, the company said.

“Jane Goodall embodies purpose, responsibility, and the power to inspire positive change,” Gerstein said in a statement when the second Goodall collection was released. “Creating jewelry that honors Jane’s extraordinary legacy went beyond beautiful designs. We’ve created heirlooms that carry forward her message of hope and our collective power to transform the world. Every piece becomes a daily reminder that each of us has the ability to make a difference, no matter how small the act.”

In the statement following Goodall’s death, Gerstein said, “She taught me that true leadership is about inspiring action from within—wisdom that will continue to guide me. It has been a true privilege to work alongside her and spend time witnessing her vision come to life through our collaboration…. My thoughts are with all her loved ones and the millions touched by her incredible legacy.”

BE Jane Goodall ring
The Jane Goodall Olive Branch Cocktail Ring in 18k yellow gold with 2.7 ct. Pacific Green lab-grown diamond and approximately 1.05 cts. t.w. lab diamond accents ($6,000)

Brilliant Earth wrote about Goodall’s life and legacy of hope in an Oct. 1 Instagram post: “Jane wasn’t just a leader; she was a mentor, a changemaker, and someone we were truly honored to call a friend. Her groundbreaking work changed how we understand conservation and our relationship with the natural world, and her dedication to empowering young people and championing education touched countless lives.

“Beyond her incredible impact on our planet, we’ll miss her warmth, her humor, her unshakable clarity of purpose, and her deep commitment to building a more peaceful world.”

Brilliant Earth said on Oct. 2 that in honor of Goodall, it will donate 100% of net proceeds from all Jane Goodall Collection pieces to the Jane Goodall Legacy Foundation for a limited time. A 10% donation has been part of the partnership’s impact since the collection was introduced.

The Jane Goodall Legacy Foundation advances conservation initiatives, environmental education, and youth empowerment, making every jewelry purchase an investment in the planet’s future, Brilliant Earth said. The tagline for its Jane Goodall Collection has been “Rethink Everything You Know About Diamonds.”

Top: Brilliant Earth’s Jane Goodall Peace Medallion necklace in 14k gold with approximately 0.38 cts. t.w. lab-grown diamonds, $1,995 (photos courtesy of Brilliant Earth)

Karen Dybis

By: Karen Dybis

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