Pearls
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Jewelry designers help beat breast cancer
By Catherine Dayrit
September 15, 2009
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| These Mikimoto akoya pearl earrings from the "Everything is Possible with Hope" collection retail for $3,000, and 50 percent of proceeds benefit the Young Survival Coalition, a nonprofit network dedicated to addressing the needs of young women affected by breast cancer. The earrings feature pink sapphire and colorless diamonds set in 18-karat white gold. |
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New York--With October quickly approaching, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month will be celebrating its 25th anniversary of drawing awareness to one of the leading forms of cancer worldwide.
A flurry of jewelry designers are pitching in, too, creating everything from pieces with pink ribbon imagery to more subtle designs crafted simply in rose gold or accented with gemstones in the cause's pink hue.
In common between the designs is that a portion of proceeds will be donated to fund breast cancer research or efforts to generate awareness and education.
As a breast cancer survivor, the cause is close to jewelry designer Neda Behnam's heart. In 2008, Behnam launched the Diamonds For A Cure (DFAC) line with the mission of raising funds for cancer research through specially designed jewelry collections. The "Lucky 7" collection is one such grouping created in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
"I wanted to do something to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month as well as honor all those, like myself and my family, who have been touched by breast cancer," Behnam said in a media release. "Seven is a very lucky number and represents a high level of spirituality. It also means new beginnings."
The seven pieces that make up the collection are available in 18-karat yellow gold, rose gold or sterling silver, and each piece is set with diamonds. Prices range from $399 to $3,000, and a percentage of sales benefit Stand Up To Cancer.
In October 2005, Mikimoto launched "Everything is Possible with Hope," a collection of cultured-pearl designs inspired by the pink ribbon and set in 18-karat gold. The pieces range in price from $950 to $3,000, and now through Dec. 31, Mikimoto will donate 50 percent of proceeds to the Young Survival Coalition. The collection comprises everything from a simple white strand strung together with pink silk thread to akoya stud earrings accented with pink sapphires.
Designer Jane Basch is well known for her monogrammed pendants and charm-set dog tags that allow consumers to express themselves and show off their personalities. With her "Tribute" collection, fans can dip into Basch's signature style while also giving back. Each person who buys one of the collection's dog tag designs emblazoned with a pink ribbon will contribute 5 percent to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization dedicated to breast cancer education and research.
Though October is dedicated to breast cancer awareness, Basch says the pieces can be worn year round.
As she puts it: "Leading a happy and healthy life is just as much mental as physical. Thinking pink all year long reminds us of the women we love and the woman we aspire to be."
Jewelry brand Dogeared's signature style is also well recognizable in a diminutive set of charms, including wishbones and ribbons crafted in silver or dipped in gold. The pieces, which range in price from $26 to $54, are available on a pink silk thread or on a gold or silver chain.
Additional designs featuring pink accents are available from Jessica Hicks, who has created a silver and mother-of-pearl charm necklace with pink amethyst, and Kim Gilby, whose "Tiny Heart" necklace features a pink Swarovski crystal. Twenty percent of sales from each will be donated to breast cancer research.
Joy O Designs, meanwhile, is donating the same percentage of proceeds from all rose gold-fill jewelry to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
For consumers who want to contribute to the cause but perhaps don't want to wear pink throughout the year, a number of designers have selected pieces from their signature collections to benefit breast cancer research and awareness efforts.
Ija Designs is offering its curved clasp bangle, available in silver or gold fill, and donating 20 percent of the proceeds to the Sara Fisher project, while Lana Jewelry is selling its "Upside Down Hoops," available in 14-karat yellow, white and rose gold, and giving half of the proceeds to the Noreen Fraser Foundation. Prices range from $180 for a small version to $345 for larger, diamond-studded hoops.
Designer Jill Alberts, who lost her dear friend's mother to breast cancer, is donating 10 percent of total sales of select earrings through the month of October to the Lynn Sage Foundation. Among the selected designs are hammered sterling silver hoop earrings and vermeil options accented with earth-toned gemstones.
To view some of these designs, jump to our 10X blog.
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