Events & AwardsJul 11, 2022
BIJC’s First Design Competition Ends With a Brooklyn Bridge Proposal MajorsApr 27, 2023
BIJC Seeks Love Stories in Second Annual “Together by Design” Contest
Couples are invited to share their story for a chance to win a custom yellow diamond engagement ring.
Applicants can submit their love story on the BIJC website by June 9 for the opportunity to win a custom engagement ring and proposal photoshoot.
New York—The Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC) is hosting its second annual “Together by Design” contest, inviting couples to submit their love story for a chance to win a custom yellow diamond engagement ring. Applications are open now until June 9.
Couples, or one partner, can upload their story on the BIJC website. Applicants must be residing in the United States and not already married or engaged.
Submissions will be judged by a panel of experienced jewelry professionals. A winner will be notified by June 30.
The prize platinum ring will feature a cushion-cut 1.44-carat VVS1 fancy yellow diamond, valued at a minimum of $15,000 USD.
Kealeboga Pule, owner of Nungu Diamonds in South Africa, donated the yellow diamond. The materials to create the engagement ring are donated by Platinum Guild International USA, Anza Gems and B&B Fine Gems.
The love story contest judges are Michelle Graff, editor-in-chief of National Jeweler; Severine Ferrari, founder of Engagement 101; Eric Ford, buyer of precious jewelry at Neiman Marcus; Tanya Dukes, jewelry writer; and Lisa Garris, vice president of human resources at GIA.
Related stories will be right here …
Couples, or one partner, can upload their story on the BIJC website. Applicants must be residing in the United States and not already married or engaged.
Submissions will be judged by a panel of experienced jewelry professionals. A winner will be notified by June 30.
The prize platinum ring will feature a cushion-cut 1.44-carat VVS1 fancy yellow diamond, valued at a minimum of $15,000 USD.
Kealeboga Pule, owner of Nungu Diamonds in South Africa, donated the yellow diamond. The materials to create the engagement ring are donated by Platinum Guild International USA, Anza Gems and B&B Fine Gems.
The love story contest judges are Michelle Graff, editor-in-chief of National Jeweler; Severine Ferrari, founder of Engagement 101; Eric Ford, buyer of precious jewelry at Neiman Marcus; Tanya Dukes, jewelry writer; and Lisa Garris, vice president of human resources at GIA.
After the winning love story is selected, “Together by Design” will open the second phase of the contest, where jewelry designers will submit ring ideas inspired by the winning couple’s story. A separate panel will judge this portion of the contest, and the winning design will be brought to life and gifted to the couple.
The “Together by Design” contest demonstrates the incredible connection that a love story can have on an engagement ring,” says BIJC President Annie Doresca. “Through both phases of the love story contest and jewelry design competition, our intent is to increase representation in the bridal sector and promote emerging designers, all while celebrating love.”
The winning couple will also receive a free proposal photoshoot.
The design portion of the contest prize package sponsors are the Gemological Institute of America, GRS, Jewelers of America, and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
The nonprofit, dedicated to the advancement of Black professionals in the gem, jewelry and watch industry, originally launched the program in October 2021.
It concluded with love story winner Brooklyn-native Rom proposing to his girlfriend, Samantha in view of the Brooklyn Bridge, the site of their first kiss.
New York couple Rom and Samantha won the love story portion of the inaugural “Together by Design” contest last year, receiving a custom engagement ring designed by Patricia Carruth of Michigan’s Your Personal Jeweler.
The ring was a 14-karat three-stone diamond ring that featured a 1.31 center stone and a tiny, intricate replica of the bridge to represent the past, present and future of the couple’s love.
It was designed by winning designer Patricia Carruth of Your Personal Jeweler in Royal Oak, Michigan.
The center stone was donated by Leo Schachter, and the gold and accent diamonds were both donated by Rio Grande.
"Brooklyn is where my heart is! When I look at my ring, I am reminded of our love story and my home. It's the most perfect ring! The diamonds are brilliant with excellent clarity just like my love for Rom and the future I see for us,” said Samantha. “We have grown a lot as individuals and as a couple the past five years. Every time I look at my ring, I feel like my heart grows more and more in love and in gratitude.”
For more information and full rules about entering the 2023 contest, visit BIJC's website.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect applicants cannot be engaged or married. The original version of this story stated contest applicants could be engaged.
More on Majors
The Latest
WatchesAug 26, 2024
IWC Is Sending Its Watches to SpaceThe company outfitted the Polaris Dawn spaceflight crew with watches that will later be auctioned off to benefit St. Jude’s.
AuctionsAug 23, 2024
Abernethy Pearl Tops Estimates at Auction A buyer paid more than $100,000 for the gemstone known as “Little Willie,” setting a new auction record for a Scottish freshwater pearl.
CollectionsAug 23, 2024
Piece of the Week: Gumuchian’s Colorful ‘Spectrum’ NecklaceAnita Gumuchian created the 18-karat yellow gold necklace using 189 carats of colored gemstones she spent the last 40 years collecting.
Brought to you by
Watch: Natural Diamonds: A Great (but Often Untold) Geology StorySupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA.
SourcingAug 22, 2024
2,492-Carat Diamond Recovered From Botswana Diamond MineThe giant gem came from Karowe, the same mine that yielded the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona and the 1,758-carat Sewelô diamond.
Weekly QuizAug 23, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsAug 22, 2024
Kaley Cuoco Has a Three-Stone Engagement Ring With a TwistThe three-stone ring was designed by Shahla Karimi Jewelry and represents Cuoco, her fiancé Tom Pelphrey, and their child.
CollectionsAug 22, 2024
Greenwich St. Jewelers Collabs with TikTok Jewelry Content CreatorThe Manhattan jewelry store has partnered with Xarissa B. of Jewel Boxing on a necklace capsule collection.
Brought to you by
Watch: Forging the Next Generation of Skilled Bench Jewelers at GIASupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
TechnologyAug 21, 2024
Instagram’s Notes Feature Expands to Posts, ReelsActing as temporary virtual Post-it notes, Notes are designed to help strengthen mutual connections, not reach new audiences.
TrendsAug 21, 2024
Carol Woolton To Release New BookThe jewelry historian discusses the history and cultural significance of jewelry throughout time and across the globe.
TrendsAug 21, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Shimmy and ShakeFrom fringe and tassels to pieces that give the illusion they are in motion, jewelry with movement is trending.
IndependentsAug 20, 2024
Mixed-Media Jewelry Artist Jan Yager Dies at 72The designer and maker found community around her Philadelphia studio and creative inspiration on the sidewalks below it.
ColumnistsAug 20, 2024
Google Ads Payment Policy Change: What It Means For YouThe change to accepted payment methods for Google Ads might seem like an irritation but actually is an opportunity, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
IndependentsAug 20, 2024
Pat Henneberry Releases MemoirThe industry consultant’s new book focuses on what she learned as an athlete recovering from a broken back.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2024
The Ethical Gem Fair Is Going to CaliforniaThe fair will take place on the West Coast for the first time, hosted by Altana Fine Jewelry in Oakland, California.
Events & AwardsAug 19, 2024
Nominations Are Open for the 2025 Gem AwardsSubmissions in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Excellence will be accepted through this Friday, Aug. 23.
AuctionsAug 19, 2024
Scotland’s Famed Abernethy Pearl Is Up for Sale Known as “Little Willie,” it’s the largest freshwater pearl found in recent history in Scotland and is notable for its shape and color.
IndependentsAug 19, 2024
Kentucky Jeweler Closing After 89 YearsClements Jewelers in Madisonville cited competition from larger retailers and online sellers as the driving factor.
SourcingAug 19, 2024
A&C Gem Trading Corp. Relocates, Opens Wholesale ShowroomThe gemstone company is moving to the Ross Metal Exchange in New York City’s Diamond District.
CrimeAug 16, 2024
Jewels Stolen During Green Vault Heist Back on DisplayMost of the 18th century royal jewelry taken from the Green Vault Museum in Dresden, Germany, in 2019 went back on display this week.
IndependentsAug 16, 2024
Louis Anthony Jewelers Announces First Resort StoreThe Pittsburgh jeweler has opened a store in the nearby Nemacolin resort.
CollectionsAug 16, 2024
Piece of the Week: Jonne Amaya’s ‘Cat Claw’ NecklaceWith a 40-carat cabochon emerald, this necklace is as powerful and elegant as a cat.
Events & AwardsAug 16, 2024
IJO Names Jewel-Craft as VIP Vendor of the YearThe Erlanger, Kentucky-based company was recognized for its reliability when it comes to repairs and fast turnaround times.
SourcingAug 15, 2024
Greenland Ruby Is Up For SaleUnable to pay its debts, the ruby and sapphire miner is looking to restructure and become a “competitive and attractive” company.
TrendsAug 15, 2024
Paola De Luca to Debut Trendbook 2026+ at VicenzaoroThe trend forecaster’s latest guide has intel on upcoming trends in the jewelry market.
Events & AwardsAug 15, 2024
Heather Ingraham Awarded WJA Helene Fortunoff Scholarship Ingraham said she’ll use the scholarship funds to attend the Women’s Leadership Program at the Yale School of Management.
IndependentsAug 15, 2024
DC Jeweler Schools Students About Jewelry Via Summer ProgramMoijey Fine Jewelry & Diamonds held a three-week “Mine to Finger 3D Jewelry Program.”
