Yesterday the week-long online charity auction organized by U.K.-based PR consultancy Rosie Lillis Communications kicked off at Roseberys London Fine Art Auctioneers. As we recently reported, Jewelers for Afghanistan gathers the work of 25 British jewelers including marquee names like Annoushka, Shaun Leane, and Solange Azagury-Partridge (the last two were the judges on BBC reality show All That Glitters, recently covered here). Sales from the auction will be donated to the charity Women for Afghan Women, which is helping to evacuate and provide urgent resources, shelter and care to vulnerable women, children, and families during the ongoing crisis.
Rosie Lillis said putting together the auction was all but effortless—everyone she reached out to was eager to participate. “I think we had 25 brands confirmed within about 72 hours,” she tells JCK.
What motivated her to put together the charity effort? “As a mother of a little girl and founder of a business that supports female entrepreneurs, I want to do whatever I can to help,” she says. “The situation in Afghanistan is a humanitarian crisis for all Afghans but particularly for women, whose rights to education, self-expression, and freedom are in jeopardy.”
Theo Fennell, one of the participating designers and Lillis’ client, added his perspective: “Whatever else it is, the situation in Afghanistan is a disaster for many women there, and we wanted to help. Our key pendant, as a symbol of unlocking the doors to knowledge, to the future, and to a new life, seemed appropriate.”
Each designer’s jewelry contribution has a retail price from between lb270 ($365) and lb1,750 ($2,369). Bidding ends Monday, Oct. 4.
As for the jewels themselves, the pieces below have captured our attention.
Mini evil eye key pendant in 18k gold with diamonds, black diamond, and blue topaz on belcher chain; Theo Fennell
Signature initial charm in 18k gold and diamonds on belcher chain; Annoushka
Tusk bangle in silver with diamond; Shaun Leane
Love ring in 18k gold; Solange Azagury-Partridge
Antique openwork filigree ear-pendants set with a pearl and rose-cut diamond; Humphrey Butler
Bahara necklace in 18k gold vermeil with agate; Pippa Small
Necklace in 14k gold with peridots, citrine, and diamond; Ruth Tomlinson
Top: Hand-engraved signet rings in 9 ct. gold each; Rebus
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