Supplier News: Week of Jan. 13

By Brittany Siminitz | January 13, 2025

Virginia Jewelers’ Raffle Benefits Children’s Hospital

A group of jewelers in Richmond, Va., raised $25,950 for the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU through a raffle of jewelry pieces during the recent Children’s Hospital Foundation Ball.

The Jewels for Children collection, curated by Cheryl Fornash of Richmond’s Cheryl Fornash Jewelers, was composed of nine luxury jewelry pieces donated by participating retailers (including Fornash) and valued at approximately $3,500–$5,000 each.

Funds raised by the raffle will help support the Children’s Hospital Foundation’s efforts to enhance art and music therapy services for patients and their families. This year’s total is a new record for Jewels for Children, which has raised more than $200,000 in support of Richmond-area nonprofit organizations since its first raffle in 2009.

“We are so grateful for everything all of the jewelers did to make this year so successful. We had another record-setting year. Every box had many, many tickets in it, indicating each item was highly desired,” said Emily Horne, Children’s Hospital Foundation junior board raffle chair, in a statement.

Diamond Club West Coast and SoCal’s 24K Club Combine

At its annual holiday party in Los Angeles on Dec. 19, the Diamond Club West Coast (DCWC) announced it was merging with the 24 Karat Club of Southern California. The two organizations, which bring 65 and 80 years of service, respectively, to the industry, are uniting under the Diamond Club West Coast banner.

“We are thrilled to share a historic moment that sets the standard for the jewelry industry,” said a joint announcement from Kimberly Overlin, president of the 24K Club, and Kalpesh Jhaveri, president of DCWC. “This bold step demonstrates how forward-thinking leadership strengthens and elevates our entire industry.”

Top: (from left) Nathan Johnson, Charles Schwarzschild Jewelers; Mary Beth Beasley and Maggie Smith, Dransfield Jewelers; Jane Sternheimer, Charles Schwarzschild Jewelers; Cheryl Jarvis, Victoria Charles Jewelry; Cheryl Fornash, Cheryl Fornash Jewelers; Vicki Robinson and Nancy McCall, Fink’s Jewelers; Robyn Bivens, Cheryl Fornash Jewelers; Sally Ashby, Carreras Jewelers; and Daniel Wright, Lustre by Adolf at the Children’s Hospital Foundation Ball in Richmond, Va. (Photo courtesy of Wendell Powell Studio)