Jeweler's New Line to Aid Local Gem Miners
November 11, 10
 Madagascar Miner's family washing stones in river while children play Photo: the Devon Foundation |
The Devon Foundation provides scholarships to residents of gem-producing countries, such as Madagascar, so they can receive lapidary education and better benefit from the natural resources of their country. Devon Fine Jewelry owner Nancy Schuring launched the Foundation and is seeking the participation of other retailers.
Noted glass artist Jared Fiebig, owner of the Front Street Glass Gallery in North Carolina, helped craft Devon's new line, dubbed "Namakoo," which means friend in Malagasy, the national language of Madagascar. The pieces combine gem-quality rough from Madagascar with Fiebig's hand-molded glass.
Each piece from Namakoo comes with a hang tag that features a picture of a miner, establishing a connection among the customer, the gem and the people who mine the gems. Money from the sale of each piece will go toward The Devon Foundation, and retailers who want to carry the Namakoo line will receive a free public relations consultation and materials as part of the package.
To learn more about the Devon Foundation, visit TheDevonFoundation.org.
In addition to launching Namakoo, Devon Fine Jewelry is bringing back its Finders Keepers jewelry giveaway program for the second year. Between Nov. 15 and 19, the Wyckoff, N.J., retailer will place 31 bags of jewelry worth a total of $37,000 in 22 communities surrounding the store.
The pieces feature diamonds, gold and platinum among other materials and are valued at $250 to $7,000 for the most expensive piece, a platinum and 18-karat yellow gold diamond and rubellite tourmaline ring.
Finders Keepers pieces will be visible on DevonFineJewelry.com through Nov. 15. After that, the Devon "elves" will start leaving the treasures for people to find.
"We found last year's event to be not only exciting but very moving and touching, for the finders and for us," Schuring said. "People expressed amazing gratitude for our expression of thanks for their business and loyalty. For months, everyone that came in the store mentioned it and asked us if all the bags were found. We had talked to every finder and got their stories. Some were very moving, and all were enjoyable to hear."