PodcastsJan 12, 2026
The latest poscasttest
EditorsJun 09, 2011
Diamond dollars decorate Couture
As I returned to my hotel room in Las Vegas last Friday evening, ending my exciting day on the tradeshow floor at Couture, I noticed that an envelope with my name on it had been slid under my door. Upon...
As I returned to my hotel room in Las Vegas last Friday evening, ending my exciting day on the tradeshow floor at Couture, I noticed that an envelope with my name on it had been slid under my door.
Upon opening it, I found an ambiguous note and a dollar bill with a bright pink diamond drawn onto the center, just like the one below.
After a day or two of investigating, I found that fine jewelry designer and Couture exhibitor Erica Courtney was behind it, releasing 250 “diamond dollar” bills all around the Wynn. They were slipped under hotel room doors, taped to bathroom stalls, adhered to water bottles and windshields and spread around the show floor.
Free Humanity, an elusive Los Angles-based street artist with the mission statement of “Taking back the Humanity stolen from our minds by social manipulation and planting seeds of positivity through art and consciousness,” designed the bills.
“My love for street art inspired me to track down the elusive “Free Humanity” to create something amazing and fun for Couture,” Courtney said. “I just loved adding excitement, and bringing a little piece of my heart to the show.”
Each Free Humanity distributed at Couture features a drawing of a colored diamond, is numbered and signed by the artist and is stamped with Courtney’s motto, “Live & Love Life.” Each Free Humanity $1 is valued at $50 or more, and are considered collector’s items.
“I had Free Humanity put ‘Live & Love Life’ on the bills because it’s been on my invoice since I started my business 27 years ago,” Courtney shared.
I’ve opted to frame my diamond dollar, a colorful reminder of my first Couture trip and a rare piece of street art. Who knows where Free Humanity may turn up next …
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Editors
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.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s LifeCommercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.
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 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’? Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.
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.
