The Kazanjian Foundation, the charitable arm of noted Beverly Hills jeweler Kazanjian Bros., last year launched a program to allow individuals to donate high-value fine jewelry to the charity of their choice at fair market value.

Titled Jewels for Charity, the program was launched in the fall at Tallarico Designs on Rodeo Drive.The event, themed Decades of Hollywood Glamour, benefited Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and The Henry Mancini Institute. Donated jewels included a diamond ring from Jennifer Mancini, proceeds of which go to the Henry Mancini Institute. The Institute’s mission is to nurture the future of music by providing comprehensive professional training and outreach programs.

Actress Kate Linder, known for her role as Esther Valentine on the soap opera The Young and the Restless, donated an 18k yellow gold and platinum rose necklace designed by Rhonda Faber-Green. Her donation benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.

Under the Jewels for Charity program—the only known program of its kind—the Kazanjian Foundation markets and sells donated jewelry for fair market value. All of the proceeds are donated to the owner’s charity of choice. Typically, charities rarely obtain more than a liquidation rate of 10 to 20 cents on the dollar for donated jewelry. Donating 100 percent of the money benefits both charity and owner, who can take the highest tax deduction allowable by law for the donation.

To qualify for the Jewels for Charity program, donated pieces must be of a pre-1970 vintage and valued at $10,000 or more per piece. For items worth less than $10,000 the Kazanjians will appraise the piece at no cost to the charity receiving the donation. Items valued at $10,000 and above also require an independent appraisal before acceptance into the program.

The foundation also sponsors a Jewels for Charity collection tour, featuring prized jewelry formerly belonging to some of Hollywood’s most noted A-list celebrities, such as Bing Crosby, Clark Gable, Eva Gabor, Howard Hughes, and Madonna, among others. The collection is making the rounds of selected venues worldwide.

For information, contact Jewels for Charity, Kazanjian Foundation, 9489 Dayton Way, Suite 202, Beverly Hills, Calif. 90210; (310) 351-7003, e-mail: mjk@raregems.net, on the Web at www.JewelsForCharity.org.