“We Lost Everything”: L.A. Jewelers Cope With Loss as Industry Helps

By Karen Dybis | January 10, 2025

Jewelry companies and trade groups have reacted quickly in raising funds to assist those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires—which includes a number of jewelry businesses.

Jewelers of America and Diamond Council of America today announced they are collecting donations to their Jewelers Relief Fund. All donations are tax-deductible and will go directly to jewelry retailers and manufacturers whose businesses were damaged by the wildfires.

Donations can be made here. Businesses that have sustained fire-related physical damage can apply here to receive money from the fund.

The Southern California wildfires that began earlier this week could end up being the costliest fires in U.S. history. The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that total economic losses from the wildfires may reach around $50 billion, double an earlier estimate.

Hundreds of thousands of L.A. County residents are under evacuation orders or warnings, and destruction may be most severe in Pacific Palisades. Jewelers in that town whose stores have been destroyed include David Tishbi Jewelry, on Via de la Paz.

“We lost our store and our home,” Holly Surya-Tishbi, wife of the brand’s owner, tells JCK via email. “We lost everything.”

Jewelry designer Tova Fagan of Tova Malibu lost her home in the fires and has shared her shock and grief with her Instagram followers, some of whom started fundraisers for her. “Not sure what to say other than ty [thank you] for your love and support,” Fagan wrote in one post.

Gottlieb I AM bracelet — *Stephanie Gottlieb bracelets*

Individual brands doing their part to help include California-based Harwell Godfrey, which raised $11,000 in an online auction of its Charity Heart pendant, a limited-edition piece in 18k yellow gold with 1.59 cts. t.w. pavé diamonds (pictured at top).

“We posted it [on Wednesday] and treated it like an auction with just a four-hour window for people to bid,” said company founder Lauren Harwell Godfrey, who is giving the proceeds to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Foundation.

“The fires are still burning in L.A., so if there is anyone else who wants to buy one of these hearts—we will be numbering them all—I am making them available to purchase for one week at the same price as our top bid of $11,000, with 100% of profits going to the LAFD wildfire emergency fund,” she said.

“I launched my first Charity Heart during the pandemic in 2020, and over the years we have added five more to the collection. But this one is very different—this is the first time we launched a heart to fund a need with such urgency and time sensitivity,” explained Harwell Godfrey.

Another California-based jewelry company, Camilla Seretti, will donate 25% of sales through March to organizations helping people affected by the wildfires, founder Sahar Manley tells JCK. She also has partnered with animal rescue and evacuation relief centers in Los Angeles.

Little Words fundraiser — *Jewelry brand Little Words Project is raising money through sales of its Resilience bracelet.*

“My heart is breaking for all of the families who have lost their homes, all of the people whose businesses have been destroyed, and I can’t even think about the poor, helpless animals without it making me cry,” Manley wrote on her Instagram Stories. “There is just so much one person can do, but together we can help so many.”

Jewelry companies outside California are raising money as well. New Jersey–based Little Words Project is donating 100% of sales of its Resilience bracelet through the weekend to the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund.

“At Little Words Project, we believe in coming together to support one another, especially in times of need,” said a statement from the brand. “This fund directly supports underserved communities with vital aid like safe housing, mental health care, firefighter safety gear, and infrastructure rebuilding.”

NYC-based designer Stephanie Gottlieb said she is giving 100% of the proceeds from her I Am bracelet to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

“Our hearts are heavy as we witness the devastating impact of the California wildfires. In this time of crisis, we’re reminded of the strength that comes from unity and compassion,” Gottlieb tells JCK. “Together, we can provide vital aid to those in urgent need and bring hope to communities facing unimaginable challenges.”

Calliope Jewelry in Seattle is donating 5% of all retail sales through the end of next week to groups assisting people and animals affected by the wildfires. Michelle Nakata-Murray, of New Mexico-based brand M. Hisae, is holding a benefit raffle through Jan. 12 where the winner can choose between a Figure ring or a Chrysalis charm.

And New York City–based Maura Green Jewelry said on its Insta Stories that it would offer a discount and free shipping to clients who purchase its jewelry from Los Angeles area retailers, as thanks for supporting stores that have been damaged or had to close.

Some industry members are collecting food, clothing, and other necessities for those affected by the wildfires, such as Los Angeles County retailer Single Stone, which posted a list on Instagram of items—including bottled water, flashlights, and bedding—that can be brought to its San Marino flagship through Jan. 18, to “be distributed to organizations serving our local communities.”

The American Gem Society sent an email to members and social media followers with resource and donation suggestions. “Your unwavering support and compassion embody the spirit of the AGS community. Together, we can navigate these difficult times and uplift one another,” wrote the organization’s CEO, Katherine Bodoh.

Jeweler Mejuri, which has temporarily closed three L.A. locations, said on Instagram that it is making donations to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and is “organizing food drives across our U.S. West Coast stores. Please stay safe, and let’s do our best to take care of each other during this time.”

Local jewelry stores that have closed until further notice include Ring Concierge in Century City and Catbird in Larchmont and Culver City. Sotheby’s has temporarily closed its Los Angeles gallery for the safety of its employees.

Laryssa Wirstiuk of Joy Joya, a Los Angeles–based marketing firm serving the jewelry industry, wrote in an Instagram story: “It’s insane how quickly the Eaton fire is spreading. We are safe and voluntarily evacuating to San Diego because parts of our city are already being evacuated. I hope everyone is safe.”

(Photos courtesy of the brands)