AuctionsApr 15, 2022
These 10 Designers Are Auctioning Jewels for Ukraine SourcingApr 18, 2022
Jewelry Auction Aims to Build Diversity in the Maker Market
Columbia Gem House will auction pieces from MJSA’s Responsibly Sourced Design Challenge to raise funds for the nonprofit Nest.
Columbia Gem House will donate proceeds from an upcoming auction of pieces from MJSA’s Responsibly Sourced Design Challenge to nonprofit Nest to build diversity and inclusion in the artisan market. Pictured is a rendering of a Design Challenge entry from Jamie Hollier, owner of Balefire in Arvada, Colorado.
Vancouver, Wash.—Columbia Gem House will host the Responsibly Sourced Design Auction and fundraiser again this fall, this time benefiting a nonprofit called Nest.
Nest supports the growth and engagement of the artisan and makers market economy to build greater gender equity and economic inclusion.
The auction will take place in November on ColumbiaGemHouse.com and feature the jewels submitted to MJSA’s Responsibly Sourced Design Challenge.
The challenge asks jewelers to design a piece based on a fictional scenario they’ve been given. This year’s prompt was to create a piece for a woman who’d been adopted and wants to learn more about her background.
Colored stone company Columbia Gem House has sponsored the design challenge since 2019 but expanded the project last year by inviting the designers involved to produce their designs and auction them for a good cause.
Proceeds from the 2021 auction went to help the Navajo Nation recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, proceeds will go toward Nest’s Jewelers United program, part of its Makers United initiative, which is focused on elevating BIPOC artisans and providing market access to ensure the maker movement in the United States is open to everyone regardless of gender, race, means, or ability.
Related stories will be right here …
Nest supports the growth and engagement of the artisan and makers market economy to build greater gender equity and economic inclusion.
The auction will take place in November on ColumbiaGemHouse.com and feature the jewels submitted to MJSA’s Responsibly Sourced Design Challenge.
The challenge asks jewelers to design a piece based on a fictional scenario they’ve been given. This year’s prompt was to create a piece for a woman who’d been adopted and wants to learn more about her background.
Colored stone company Columbia Gem House has sponsored the design challenge since 2019 but expanded the project last year by inviting the designers involved to produce their designs and auction them for a good cause.
Proceeds from the 2021 auction went to help the Navajo Nation recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, proceeds will go toward Nest’s Jewelers United program, part of its Makers United initiative, which is focused on elevating BIPOC artisans and providing market access to ensure the maker movement in the United States is open to everyone regardless of gender, race, means, or ability.
As the sponsor of the event, CGH donates gemstones to help the designers bring their renderings to life.
For the 2022 challenge, the company has donated hexagon-shaped Oregon sunstone, hexagon-shaped Montana sapphire, tapered baguettes of Australian sapphire, and Brazilian citrine baguettes.
CGH also donated silver to help produce the pieces.
In the months leading up to the auction, CGH will share designs submitted to the challenge as MJSA releases them. Submissions will be released through September.
In October, voting will take place on MJSA.org, and CGH will host the auction on its website the following month.
To stay up to date with auction announcements and designs, follow Columbia Gem House on Instagram or visit its website to sign up for the newsletter.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is OutThe first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.
WatchesOct 04, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Clocks Another Acquisition—HodinkeeThe company said Benjamin Clymer will return to his role as head of the watch news website, which will maintain editorial independence.
