Photo courtesy JFC
The first-ever international lab-grown diamond charity auction has been deemed a success, garnering US$38,700 for Jewelers for Children (JFC).
Hosted jointly by the Virtual Diamond Boutique (VDB) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI), the sale offered loose lab-grown diamonds and finished jewellery, with all proceeds benefitting 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.
Auctioned items, which were provided by lab-grown diamond groups Classic Grown Diamonds, Made by Man Diamonds, Green Rocks Diamonds, Smiling Rocks, Unique Lab Grown Diamond, and more, were accompanied with a certificate of authenticity from IGI.
“IGI is proud to support Jewelers for Children and to have played a significant role in supporting this project,” says IGI North America President, Avi Levy. “IGI pioneered lab-grown diamond certification, and the opportunity to contribute our expertise and resources to this all-important fundraising initiative was truly an honour.”
“We are grateful to the lab-grow diamond community for their generosity in benefitting children,” adds JFC’s executive director, David Rocha. “We are also grateful to VDB for conceiving of and inspiring this collaboration, for procuring donors, and for developing our digital auction app.”
