The necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
The Maasai Library the Industry Can Help Build
A GoFundMe page has been launched to raise funds for construction of a library at a Tanzanian school.
At a time of year when it’s easy to get caught up in buying gifts, attending parties and trying to balance a busy schedule, it can be hard to find the time to stop and be grateful for what you do have, and to show that gratefulness by giving back.
So, I was only too happy to hear about an opportunity that recently popped up to do just that.
This one in particular is special to me. On my last full day in East Africa earlier this year, my travel companions and I got to visit the Kitarini Maasai Children’s School in rural northern Tanzania near the Kenyan border.
Local miners Sune and Pia Merisheki started the school. When Sune was on a prospecting trip one day, he came across a group of children gathered under a tree out in the bush for their schooling.
Wanting to help bring a real school to these children, the couple raised funds and petitioned the government for support. Kitarini now consists of a group of buildings with metal roofs with more than 400 children attending, many of whom have to walk miles from their homes every day just get to school.
Members of the jewelry industry have been getting more and more involved in the school, with a number of jewelry stores and gem cutters across the country collecting books from their local community for kids of all ages. They were packed up in suitcases and brought along on our visit in January to be donated.
Watching the grateful teachers and staff accept the books, and seeing the excited smiles on the students’ faces and happiness to be at school, it’s impossible not to be affected in a way that makes you want to do more.
Now, we can.
One of the gemstone cutters, Dan Lynch, on the trip has launched a GoFundMe page to help raise money to build a library at Kitarini and provide a place for those books to go so that the students can actually use them.
“There is no limit to the potential these children have and what can be unlocked through the power of reading. It becomes especially transforming that the surrounding villages will share this library. This humble library has the power to change the lives not only of the children from the school,
The plans is to build the library in 2017, with Sune helping coordinate the construction locally. Any funds raised beyond what’s needed for the library will be put toward other needs of the school and its students, such as funding lunches or housing for the teachers.
There also might be online gemstones auctions in the future to help raise money; stay tuned for more information on that. In the meantime, visit the donation page here.
The Latest
The two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
The three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.
A double-digit drop in the number of in-store crimes was offset by a jump in off-premises attacks, JSA’s 2023 crime report shows.
Inspired by the Roman goddess of love, the designer looked to the sea for her new collection.
The luxury titan posted declining sales, weighed down by Gucci’s poor performance.
The selected nine organizations have outlined their plans for the funds.
The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
The crown introduced a dozen timepieces in Geneva, including a heavy metal version of its deep-sea divers’ watch.
Emmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
Located in the town of Queensbury, it features a dedicated bridal section and a Gabriel & Co. store-in-store.
A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
Ruser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
The “Rebel Heart” campaign embodies rebellion, romance, and sensuality, the brand said.
The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.
The money will go toward supporting ongoing research and aftercare programs for childhood cancer survivors.
A new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
From now through mid-May, GIA will be offering the reports at a 50 percent discount.
De Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.