Real Jewels' "Save Our Shores Iconic Pelican Pendant"

Real Jewels has created the “Save Our Shores Iconic Pelican Pendant” which will be donating 100% of its sales to the Save Our Gulf campaign to help protect the waters in the Gulf from the long-term impacts of the oil disaster.  The Waterkeeper Alliance jump-started the Save Our Gulf initiative as the Alliance as a whole is devoted to protecting major watersheds worldwide.

Designed by Real Jewels, this “Save Our Shores” pendant embodies the elements of recycled precious metals and fair trade gems, two important cornerstones of the company.  This pendant features a sterling silver pelican to represent the Gulf and the effects of the devastating oil spill on the environment and its wildlife.  An interesting twist:  the pendant can hang from either a sterling silver necklace or bangle bracelet, so the buyer can make it a more individual piece.  Now the pendant is available through the Real Jewels’ online store and is being sold for $85, so think wisely when looking for something new to add to your jewelry collection.  We have all felt helpless when seeing the tragic photos of the pelicans covered in the oil in the Gulf, so make a difference to these animals and to the entire region by choosing this pendant for your next purchase.

Slip on one of these bangles in celebration of the Join Me on the Bridge campaign, bringing together women across the globe in support of those rebuilding their lives in war-torn countries.  Each bangle is $48 and is made of 14-karat light gold plated hardware.  The outside of the bracelet is engraved with “hand in hand” and the inside is engraved with “there’s strength in numbers”–two powerful messages to send your support to women worldwide. Plus, a gold bangle can go well every outfit, so you can never go wrong with this accessory!

David Yurman amethyst pendants in support of The Lustgarten Foundation.

London Jewelers and David Yurman have come together to craft two beautifully constructed amethyst pendants in support of The Lustgarten Foundation.  Through their efforts, the fight against pancreatic cancer will continue as their non-profit Foundation continues to invest in research through the net proceeds of these noteworthy pendants.  Both London Jewelers and Yurman are dedicated to this exceptional cause since they have both have lost loved ones to the disease.

Retailing for $295 in silver and $1,700 for the 18-karat gold version, there is no way you can go wrong with either choice!  The piece has the signature Yurman touch–a 16-inch box chain giving the pendants their cable-like distinction.  A beautiful stone will be the perfect accent to your décolletage.  And knowing that 100% of the proceeds will be given to The Lustgarten Foundation can really put your accessorizing to the ultimate “do good” test.

Just released July 15th, orders can be taken via London Jewelers (877) 601-9924 until it is released in stores this fall.  Want to double up?  You can order your own pendant at The Lustgarten Foundation’s 10th annual Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk on July 25 in Garden City, NY while you participate in a walk for the cure.

Cheeky Monkey Jewelry's Lophelia Cuff made of recycled metals and fair trade sapphires.

Cheeky Monkey Jewelry has teamed up with SeaWeb to support coral conservation and fair trade by producing some fabulous coral-inspired pieces in their Lophelia Collection.  SeaWeb’s Too Precious To Wear coral conservation campaign kicked off before the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) occurred in March 2010.  The aim of CITES is to concentrate on the effects of international trade on endangered species and to help to protect wildlife in this realm.

Simon Cardwell, the founder and owner of Cheeky Monkey Jewelry, explained that his company was going to “[leave] the coral right where it should be:  in the ocean.”  He has created this exquisite collection of earrings, a pendant, and cuff without any damage to the environment, and 10% of all sales for these pieces will be donated to SeaWeb’s Too Precious To Wear campaign.  You can now wear some coral without ever harming the species.

Better yet, the laced coral earrings ($250), necklace ($150), and cuff ($1,200) are all constructed of recycled sterling silver and gold (Cheeky Monkey uses recycled metals in all of their products actually).  The sapphires in the collection are also fair trade items which can give the buyer even more satisfaction in purchasing any or all of the featured pieces.  Cardwell’s commitment to the environment and long-term sustainability has him designing his jewelry with those core values in mind.  I took an incredible course on sustainability my last semester in college and can honestly ask all of you to help support sustainability efforts to make our future brighter.  Not to mention, you will get a flood of compliments on this gorgeous jewelry while helping the environment at the same time!

Cheeky Monkey Jewelry's Lophelia Earrings

Cheeky Monkey Jewelry's Lophelia Pendant

Joan Horning Jewelry, 100% of profits support charities of the customer's choosing.

I don’t even know where to begin in explaining all that Joan Hornig the person and Joan Hornig the jewelry company is. To date, I have not come across (and mind you, I search a lot!) another company which is so aggressively philanthropic. Maybe that’s because Joan views her company as more than just a business, but an opportunity to leave a legacy of giving in the hearts of her customers and fans. Joan donates an unprecedented 100% of profits from all of her jewelry to charities of the purchaser’s choice. And by 100% of profits, this means after the cost of materials and production, not the cost of overhead for the business.

As you can see from the images, JHJ is beautiful, colorful and inspired by nature. But, JHJ  means more than just  hand-made exquisite pieces featuring shimmering stones and precious metals (and believe me, these pictures do not do her jewelry justice). The act of purchasing and wearing a Joan Hornig piece means rising to the challenge of giving back by choosing a charity to benefit from your action and telling your friends of the special meaning behind your jewelry. Joan wants her jewelry to inspire the purchaser to “use beauty and fashion in a new way.”

Joan also wants to instill the idea of paying it forward with her customers. The designer chooses to actively participate in charity auctions and fundraisers by donating pieces to the charities of her loyal customers.

Joan Hornig Jewelry is available online and at Bergdorf Goodman, Saks in New Orleans, Neimans in Palm Beach, The Philanthropist Boutique in San Francisco and many other high-end independent boutiques across America.

On a side note, Joan Hornig, the person, is the inspiration behind this website and the inspiration behind my desire to use brand philanthropy as a means to change the world.

Joan Hornig, the designer

Actress Katherine Heigl wearing Joan's Freshwater Pearl Necklace

The Wittelsbach-Graff was featured on the cover of the 196-page, hardcover coffee table book, The Most Fabulous Jewels in the World. Published in 2007, the book retails for $150; all of the proceeds are donated to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

The Children’s Fund focuses on children’s causes around the world. Homelessness, abuse, early childhood development, orphans and refugee children are just some of the issues the fund prioritizes. The fund also supports development of the  Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital located in Gauteng, South Africa.

So if you’ve been looking for some new pearl studs or a new necklace (just explored their website and they have some pretty trendy and creative choices!), choose Carolee. Shop online at www.carolee.com, using the shopping code CLOSET at checkout, and Bottomless Closet will receive 10% of net sales.

For 10 years, Bottomless Closet NYC has helped New York women gain their economic independence and strengthen their self-confidence through wardrobe consultation, one-on-one interview counseling and evening career workshops.

For 10 years, Bottomless Closet NYC has been helping New York women gain their economic independence and strengthen their self-confidence through their one-on-one interview counseling and evening career workshops. And of course, their huge “boutique” of clothing is perfectly suited to help these women land a  good job and keep it.

I’ve been volunteering there as much as I can since May or June. It’s been a pleasure getting to know the staff and working on the retail committee. I only wish I had more time to give; helping the clients choose work-appropriate clothing and coaching them to ace the interview is actually a lot of fun for me. It feels great to know that I can give a little of my time each month to empower other women living in the same city as I.

Please visit their website if you live in the city and would like to help out or contribute clothing donations.

Mini heart pendant, $395 - 20% of profits go to Doctors without Borders

Jamaican jewelry designer Anna Ruth Henriques, whose collection is exclusively available at Barneys New York, has created a mini heart pendant molded after the anatomical human heart to benefit Doctors without Borders.

The pendant is crafted from sterling silver with 18k yellow gold and rubies. It is available to purchase online as well as Barneys.

Founded in France in 1971, Doctors without Borders is an international medical non-profit providing humanitarian and emergency care to people in over 60 countries affected by desolation, armed conflict and epidemics. In 1999, the organization won the Nobel Peace Prize.