Just Dropped: Stunning Collections from BIPOC Designers in NDC Initiative

In January 2021, the Natural Diamond Council (NDC), in collaboration with red carpet jewelry designer Lorraine Schwartz, announced the Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative (EDDI), which provided $1 million dollars of diamond credit and support to emerging BIPOC jewelry designers.

The initiative recognized the significant barriers to entry for emerging designers in the industry, particularly those surrounding access to buying diamonds.

The brands selected for the program—Birthright Foundry, Dorian Webb, Jam + Rico, Made by Malyia and Marvin Douglas Jewelry—recently debuted the diamond-studded pieces they created as part of the initiative, exclusively at New York City fine jewelry retailer Greenwich St. Jewelers (and on the store’s website).

The store’s co-owners, sisters Jennifer and Christina Gandia, say the EDDI project was a natural extension of their years-long effort to build a brand that celebrates the work of jewelry designers from a diverse array of backgrounds and aesthetics.

“The group of designers chosen are such powerful artists, we knew from the moment they were announced that we wanted to present the collections in our store,” said Jennifer Gandia. “We’re passionate about emerging artists, so getting involved with the initiative seemed like a natural fit. We felt very strongly that these collections should be experienced in-store, available for everyone to come in and try on, hopefully fall in love with, and make their own!” —Emili Vesilind

See the full EDDI Collection here.

Top photo: Earrings and ring by Made by Malyia (all photos courtesy of Greenwich St. Jewelers)

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