Virtual Diamond Boutique (VDB) and International Gemological Institute (IGI) have partnered with Jewelers for Children (JFC) to host the first-ever international lab-grown diamond charity auction. More than $75,000 worth of loose lab-grown diamonds and lab-grown diamond jewelry—all with verified grading reports from IGI—will be auctioned off to the highest bidders.
The auction will take place during Las Vegas Jewelry Week, with bidding opening today, in advance of the shows, and closing Aug. 29 at 8:30 p.m. during the JFC “Facets of Hope” dinner, at which the total amount raised will be announced.
All proceeds from the auction will benefit the JFC charity partners, including Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, National CASA Association, Make-A-Wish America, Make-A-Wish International, Santa-America Fund, and Organization for Autism Research.
“We are delighted that the lab-grown diamond community has come together to benefit children,” said David Rocha, executive director of JFC, in a statement. “Because we were unable to hold in-person events in 2020, VDB developed a fabulous digital auction app. Our virtual auction event held on the app last year proved very popular, and we’re thrilled to now be able to offer this lab-grown diamond event as an option for those who may not be attending market week in Las Vegas or have other commitments at that time. This auction presents an opportunity that fits into everyone’s schedule.”
A variety of loose lab-grown diamonds—ranging in size from 1 to more than 3 cts. and in shape from pear to emerald to round to cushion-cut—have been donated to the project; also donated is some finished jewelry, such as a 2 ct. emerald-cut halo ring from Smiling Rocks. Other donors include Aarush Diam, Clarity Diamond, Classic Grown Diamonds, Fire Diamonds, Forever Grown Diamonds, Go Green Diamonds, Green Rocks Diamonds, Innovation Diamonds, Labon LLC, Maitri Diamonds Inc., Malakan Diamond Co., Primo Diamonds, Surreal Diamond, Unique Lab Grown Diamond, and Z Diamond USA. In addition, red and blue diamonds will be donated by Made by Man Diamonds.
“As a leader in the lab-grown and mined diamond industry, IGI is committed to bringing the industry together in support of meaningful causes, like the charities benefited by Jewelers for Children,” said IGI North America president Avi Levy in a statement. “When IGI pioneered lab-grown diamond certification over 15 years ago, the goal was to provide accurate and reliable reporting, which is still true today, but the opportunity to contribute our knowledge and resources to this all-important fundraising initiative is truly priceless. We are honored to
use our trusted services as the vehicle for the international lab-grown diamond community to offer compassionate, tangible support to children with catastrophic illness or life-threatening abuse.”
Tanya Nisguretsky, president and CEO of VDB, said she believes in the power of collaboration. “IGI and VDB are the perfect partners for this project, because we both have meaningful relationships with the lab-grown diamond community, and we both offer specific services that will enhance the efficiency and security of this first-ever lab-grown diamond charity auction,” she said in a statement. “Together, VDB, IGI, and the lab-growers can do far more for Jewelers for Children than any of us could do individually.”
Potential bidders can download the Jewelers for Children auction app on their smart phones (via the Apple app store or Google Play store for Android) or by visiting vdb.guru/jfc.
Top: Forever Grown pink lab-grown diamond (all photos courtesy of Virtual Diamond Boutique)
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