Pamela Froman's unisex "Hope" Dog Tag Allow me to explain...
This year, The Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) partnered with the Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.) for their annual DIVA Design Competition, entitled "DIVA Gives Back!"
"The DIVA competition gives women across the country an opportunity to showcase their design skills," noted WJA president Yancy Weinrich, "This year, by partnering with the Diamond Empowerment Fund, we're also providing women with the additional opportunity of making a difference in the world."*
There were 3 categories in the competition this year:
"Canadian Diamond DIVA", "Red Carpet DIVA", and "DIVA Gives Back"... Pamela decided to submit renderings to the
DIVA Gives Back category, which challenged designers to create
"an inspiring design that can be mass marketed as an affordable jewel to support the Diamond Empowerment Fund. The current design is a unisex bracelet (the famous Green Bracelet designed by Russell Simmons) What would you create that everyone could wear to show their support for the children of Africa?" and one of her designs (shown above) was selected as the winner!
Judges loved Pamela's unisex Dog Tag! The word HOPE, the small diamond set in gold, and the green stone drop, all serve to remind us that proceeds from the sale of this piece will go to help the disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource. Pamela also plans to create a "bling-y" version of this piece to be auctioned off at the star studded Dallas Rocks: The Diamond Dinner and After Party gala benefit and auction to benefit D.E.F. in November.
The DIVA Awards were presented at a press conference during the JCK Show in Las Vegas, and was followed by a celebratory cocktail party later that evening at LAVO at the Palazzo. It was a fun night! Snapshots to follow...
About WJA and D.E.F.The Women’s Jewelry Association was founded in 1983 and is the preeminent association of professional women in the jewelry, watch and related businesses. Founded in 2007, the Diamond Empowerment Fund raises money to support education initiatives that develop and empower economically disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource. For more information on WJA visit www.WomensJewelry.org and for more information on D.E.F. visit www.DiamondEmpowerment.org.*
*excerpts taken from official WJA DIVA press release by Michelle Orman
