Signet is first premier sponsor of DEF’s Vegas gala

New York--The Diamond Empowerment Fund announced Tuesday that Signet Jewelers will be the first premier presenting sponsor of its “Diamonds in the Sky” event this spring.

The black tie-optional event is scheduled for May 29 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas. It brings together members of the diamond industry, government officials from diamond-producing nations, dignitaries and celebrities.

At the event, the organization also will present its 2014 Global Diamond Industry Achievement Award to Botswana’s President Ian Khama and the Government of the Republic of Botswana in recognition of “their global leadership and contributions to democracy, sustainable economic development and the growth and expansion of the international diamond industry,” DEF said.

Proceeds from the event benefit DEF’s mission of providing higher education scholarships for youth from diamond-producing countries.

“We are thrilled to congratulate Signet as the first Premier Presenting Sponsor for DEF on this occasion,” said Phyllis Bergman, president of DEF’s board of directors. “We encourage other industry leaders to consider sponsorship opportunities of this important event which celebrates the ‘good diamonds do.’”

For more information on sponsorship opportunities at “Diamonds in the Sky” contact DEF’s Executive Director Nancy Orem Lyman at n.lyman@diamondempowerment.org or visit the event’s website.

Signet Jewelers is the largest specialty retailer in the United States and United Kingdom. Its U.S. division operates 1,400 stores in all 50 states, primarily under the Kay Jewelers and Jared the Galleria of Jewelry brands.

DEF was co-founded in 2007 by music mogul Russell Simmons and a number of diamond industry leaders. It funds programs that provide African youth with higher education opportunities, including leadership development and entrepreneurial skills building.

DEF’s beneficiary organizations are CIDA City Campus, African Leadership Academy and the Botswana Top Achievers program.