The family of jewelry designer Kenneth Brown, who died in November 2006 at the age of 43, is honoring his lifelong passion with an in-kind gift of several of his jewelry pieces to the Gemological Institute of America Museum’s Permanent Collection.

These pieces include a pendant, ring, and earrings set with 18k yellow gold and Tahitian pearls, as well as an 18k yellow gold and platinum brooch with a tanzanite, ruby, and diamond.

The family also donated a pair of 14k white and yellow gold, diamond-accented cuff links designed by the late Pierre Touraine and finished by Brown. He completed many of Touraine’s pieces, including a pair of diamond-studded stirrups that are now also part of the Museum’s Permanent Collection.

Kimberly Vagner, In-Kind Gifts project manager for GIA, says the donation is a celebration of Brown’s life and love of jewelry.

“We are so appreciative that Anna entrusted us with her husband’s jewelry,” Vagner says. “This gift will help keep Kenneth’s memory alive, and will ensure that generations of students and the public will be able to experience and enjoy his work.”

Brown says her husband would have wanted to give back to others in this way.

“I know having his pieces here would mean a lot to him,” she said.

For information on how to make a donation to the GIA Collection, contact Kimberly Vagner, project manager for GIA In-Kind Gifts, at kimberly.vagner@gia.edu.

JCK