There has been a roster of great initiatives hosted by members of our industry in support of the Black Lives Matter movement—please check out Amy Elliott’s list published Thursday, if you haven’t already. I’ve got another one to add today, and there are only a couple of days left to take part.
Masterminded by the New York–based designer Hannah Blount, a quintet of jewelers have joined together to raffle off some of their coolest offerings, with all proceeds from the raffle going to support Higher Heights for America PAC, a cause dedicated to further elevate and support black women in politics. The organization seeks to expand black women’s elected representation and voting participation and advance progressive politics.
“As we are all women designers, we wanted to support an organization that would benefit black women, specifically, and one that is perhaps a little less well-known,” says Blount. “I see Higher Heights for America as not only a wonderful organization pushing for diversity in our politics, but also one whose endeavors will lead to much-needed change in a system thriving on racism. We need to do better—let’s help put the women who can make it better into power.”
Each ticket to enter the raffle costs $25, and entrants can purchase as many as they’d like (the more tickets sold, the more money will be donated, naturally). And while the raffle in itself is a bit of a gamble (hey, you’re missing Vegas this year, aren’t you?) entrants can choose the pieces they’re most interested in to try and win. Pick your favorite, pick two, pick them all, buy five tickets to win the one piece you love most—it’s up to you.
The hardest decision isn’t whether to enter at all ($25 for a chance to win an awesome jewel and do some good? Not a toughie), but rather, which piece to enter FOR. Blount’s own cameo necklace featuring a carved raw Persian turquoise is a summer’s dream, just right for this time of year, even if you are only dressing for your backyard.
Rachel Atherley, a designer based in Hudson, N.Y., is offering this pair of Feather earrings featuring heavenly blue kyanite paired with recycled yellow gold, and the combination is soothingly wonderful.
The Waterfall necklace by Emilie Shapiro, who is based in Queens, N.Y., is a special treat that would make a wonderful addition to any neck party, with an organic combination of aquamarine and kyanite in brass.
If you’re in the mood for something without gemstones—but by no means less interesting—the Massachusetts-based Sophie Hughes is serving up a pair of Tab hoops, elegantly curved golden creations made for soaking up the sun (and, by the way, ones that would pair quite well with each of the other raffle items).
Finally, the Anise Fold earrings from Minnesota-based Karin Jacobson are a striking pair, recycled oxidized sterling silver appearing to be elegantly folded into bow-like shapes that dangle from contrasting gold-framed diamond studs.
Winners will be chosen on Monday at 3 p.m. ET, and you have until midnight on Sunday (so there’s no confusion, let’s say 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday night) to purchase your tickets! Visit hannahblount.com for more information and to enter.
Top: Cameo necklace in recycled 18k gold and oxidized silver with carved raw Persian turquoise, $490; Hannah Blount
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