Gemmy Partnership - Columbia Gem House & Sapphires of Montana #TheDailyJewel

from a Press Release

Columbia Gem House 

and Sapphires of Montana Unite

Merger aims to increase production and availability of Montana Sapphires.


Representatives from Columbia Gem House and Sapphires of Montana announced today that the two companies have united resulting in “Sapphires of Montana by Columbia Gem House”.

Columbia Gem House is the industry leader in Fair Trade and responsibly sourced gemstones with mine to market traceability, and is the largest supplier of gemstones mined in America.  

As a vertically integrated company, Columbia Gem House also provides heating, cutting and US jewelry manufacturing to customers world-wide. 

Sapphires of Montana’s expertise lies in the branding, marketing and sale of Rock Creek Montana Sapphires. The merger has come about to increase the production and availability of Montana Sapphires under the successful brand, “Sapphires of Montana”.

Columbia Gem House, a family business, was founded by Eric Braunwart 40 years ago and is known as the largest supplier of brand name gemstones. For the past 15 years, the company has focused on producing Fair Trade gems with a transparent supply chain from mine to market. Of the merger Eric said, “It’s a natural fit to bring in additional strength in sapphires of a Montana origin in a market that is growing almost faster than we can keep up.”
 Owned and operated by women,  Sapphires of Montana was founded by Lisa Brooks-Pike and Margo Bedman in 2012. After a successful sell-out show on QVC the company expanded its focus to supporting a clientele of young up-and-coming millennial and established independent designers. 

“Since Sapphires of Montana was modeled on the Fair Trade, mine to market principals of Columbia Gem House, uniting the brands is a positive next step,” says Lisa. 

“Our business ethics and ideals are in alignment,” says Margo, adding, “Merging the Sapphires of Montana brand with Columbia Gem House allows us to provide a sustainable supply of Montana Sapphires to the industry.”

In conjunction with the merger, Lisa Brooks-Pike, co-owner and VP of Sales and Marketing for Sapphires of Montana will continue with Columbia Gem House as Marketing Director. Clients are assured the same high level of customer service along with a larger selection and long term consistent supply of Montana Sapphires.

Columbia Gem House:
A family business founded in 1976 offering natural gemstones and jewelry handcrafted in the USA.    
Ethical • Fair Trade • Responsibly Sourced

http://columbiagemhouse.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ColumbiaGemHouse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/columbiagemhouse

Twitter: https://twitter.com/columbiagemhous

NYC - This Thursday (June 20th) DEF Debuts "Empowerment Jewelry" At Donna Distefano Atelier

DIAMOND EMPOWERMENT FUND DESIGN AMBASSADORS 

LAUNCH NEW YORK DEBUT OF EMPOWERMENT JEWELRY 

AT DONNA DISTEFANO ATELIER 

Continuing the momentum generated by the Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF) at JCK last month, DEF is showcasing its new line of Empowerment Jewelry alongside each product’s Designer Ambassador. The New York City debut will take place on June 20th from 5:00-8:00PM at 37 West 20th Street, suite 1106. Donna Distefano from Donna Distefano Ltd, Lita Asscher from Royal Asscher and Derrick Holmes from Banneker Watches will be present to share their connection to DEF as designer ambassadors, showcase the new jewelry and watches created as ongoing fundraisers for DEF, and share their vision for how they can further DEF’s mission.

Co-founded by global business entrepreneur and philanthropist Russell Simmons along with leaders in the diamond industry including De Beers, the Diamond Empowerment Fund’s mission is to provide higher education opportunities for youth in diamond producing countries in Africa.  Dr. Benjamin Chavis, noted civil rights and business leader and fellow co-founder of the Diamond Empowerment Fund, Phyllis Bergman, DEF board president, and Nancy Orem Lyman, DEF executive director will be at the New York debut to discuss the global impact of DEF’s vision.

Donna Distefano will present her new line of “Illumination” bracelets depicting symbolic African designs in sterling silver with diamonds. Each bracelet represents core values of DEF: transformation, tranquility, and strength. Collaborating with Russell Simmons for the benefit of D.E.F. is a natural fit for Distefano’s business. Says Simmons, “I share these designers’ vision of transformation. 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.”  

Lita Asscher of Royal Asscher will present the DEF Green Tsavorite and Diamond Pendant, part of the Shining Stars of Africa Collection by Royal Asscher. This stunning and unique pendant contains green tsavorite and diamonds encased in a fluid-filled natural sapphire dome allowing the jewels to fall freely like snowflakes in a snow globe. The design won ‘best in show’ at the world famous JCK jewelry show and is an example of the Asscher family’s long-standing commitment to integrity, quality and giving back. With every pendant purchase, a $125 donation is made to the Diamond Empowerment Fund.  

Derrick Holmes of Banneker, Inc. will present three new Benjamin Banneker watches designed to raise awareness and funds for DEF. These watches feature a Royal Asscher diamond at 12 O'Clock, green crystals on the face and bezel, and natural Ebony wood from Indonesia or Mahogany wood from Madagascar on the face and band. All Banneker watches contain real wood as a way of paying homage to our namesake Benjamin Banneker who, in 1753, engineered and built the first working clock in America constructed entirely from parts he carved of wood. Benjamin Banneker is an American Legend and these watches are designed to help educate about his numerous amazing achievements. 

About Diamond Empowerment Fund 
The Diamond Empowerment Fund is a global, non-profit organization focused on supporting education initiatives in diamond-producing African nations. With the help of our international partners, we strive to empower the next generation of African leaders.

The Diamond Empowerment Fund is supported by and works exclusively with jewelers that adhere to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and System of Warranties.

Ethics Link Nat'l Assoc of Goldsmiths & Brit Jewellers' Assoc...

National Association of Goldsmiths & British Jewellers’ Association Join Forces For Ethical Standards

The British Jewellers’ Association this week demonstrated it’s commitment to assist members in achieving ethical supply chains by uniting with The National Association of Goldsmiths Ethics Working Committee initiative.

Realising that many small businesses are faced with substantial challenges when trying to assess ethical credentials of suppliers, the BJA and NAG have together taken the step towards bridging the gap between British jewellers and international small scale producers.

Both associations have connections with RJC and CIBJO and are mindful of their contribution to the debate, but act in the best interests of their respective members.

The launch of Fair Trade Gold has heralded a surge in demand from jewellers who are eager to embrace Fair Trade and ethical values throughout their supply chain.

However, many find themselves in a quandary as to how to integrate a traceable or credible system for selecting suppliers and for giving assurances to consumers. 

The NAG & BJA‘s ethics working committee will assess the feasibility of a system of auditable standards covering the following areas:

• Mining
• Metals
• Diamonds
• Gemstones
• Manufacturing
• Retailing.

Experts from each field will be called upon to assess and comment on the standards, in order to develop a robust system which can be accessed by NAG & BJA members in the future. Vivien Johnston, founder of ethical jewellery brand Fifi Bijoux, has been appointed to steer the project.

Greg Valerio, the force who brought Fair Trade gold to market, has pledged his support for the realisation of the standards.

Valerio and Johnston have both created ethical brands which use exclusively ethical materials, and have first hand knowledge of the complexities involved.

The ethics committee will use collective industry knowledge to drive forward greater transparency from suppliers and to provide members with an accessible system of assessment. The routes to connect with producers who are working to high standards of social and environmentally are currently inaccessible to many jewellers and the Ethics Working Committee seeks to enable relationships between both parties.