#JWLV - DEF Introduces New Designer Jewelry That Support Their Initiatives

DONNA DISTEFANO, ROYAL ASSCHER, AND BANNEKER WATCHES COLLABORATE WITH DIAMOND EMPOWERMENT FUND ON NEW JEWELRY LINES

Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF) introduced a new line of Empowerment Jewelry at JCK Las Vegas, collaborating with leading jewelry designers who support DEF’s mission of empowering the next generation of African leaders in diamond producing countries.

Jewelry Designer Donna Distefano’s stylish and sustainable collection of bracelets titled ‘Illumination’ was created to be symbolic, accessible, and versatile. Each bracelet, co-designed by Elizabeth Hamrick, bears a silver emblem representing some of the values of DEF: transformation, tranquility, and strength. Set with diamonds, the silver symbols slide on leather-look ultra-suede straps, making them suitable for men and women as well as being animal friendly.

Royal Asscher has created a tsavorite and diamond pendant for DEF as part of the Stars of Africa collection. This unique pendant is comprised of green tsavorite and diamonds encased in a fluid-filled natural sapphire dome, allowing jewels to fall freely like snowflakes in a snow globe.  The design won ‘best in show’ at JCK and is an example of the Asscher Family’s long-standing commitment to integrity, quality and giving back.

Banneker Watches, is introducing a line of watches for DEF which incorporate their signature design of luxury woods combined with diamonds and green crystals.  

Russell Simmons, global business mogul, entrepreneur, philanthropist and co-founder of DEF, shares these designers vision of transformation as it is the cornerstone to DEF’s mission. “It is important to support and encourage the youth of Africa to make a positive change in the world. DEF Empowerment Jewelry will contribute to this vision” affirms Simmons. Each designer has also joined DEF’s Diamonds for Good Membership Program to further show support for DEF and to contribute to scholarships for these young people.

About the Diamond Empowerment Fund

The Diamond Empowerment Fund is a New York based global non-profit organization (EIN# 20-5967103) that raises money to fund education initiatives in African diamond-producing nations. Its beneficiaries include: CIDA City Campus, South Africa’s first non-profit university to offer a four-year business degree.  CIDA has an 80% employment rate among graduates; the African Leadership Academy, a university preparatory school in Johannesburg, South Africa, founded on the belief that ethical leadership is the key to sustainable development on the continent and drawing students from all 54 countries in Africa, and the Botswana Top Achievers program that provides the top high school students countrywide the opportunity to study at a university of their choice worldwide. Graduates then return to Botswana to contribute to its economic, social and political development.  www.diamondempowerment.org.