Hamilton Jewelers’ Charms Collab Supports Mental-Health Research
By Karen Dybis | March 07, 2024
"Palm Beach, Fla.–based retailer Hamilton Jewelers has released a limited-edition fine jewelry collection called Charms of Hope in partnership with a leading local mental-health charity.
A portion of the proceeds from this collaboration will be donated to Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF), located in West Palm Beach. Additionally, Hamilton Jewelers will serve as a key sponsor for upcoming HDRF events.
Charms of Hope consists of four sunflower pendant necklaces as well as a charm bracelet, all crafted in 18k gold. Hamilton designed and manufactured the collection with design input from HDRF founder and chair Audrey Gruss. The pendants are available in all gold (two sizes), gold with yellow sapphires, or gold with diamonds.
The Charms of Hope pieces are sold at Hamilton’s stores in Palm Beach and Princeton, N.J., and through its website. Prices start at $1,250 for the charm bracelet and go up to $7,500 for the large pendant necklace.
A small gold sunflower, large pendant with diamonds, and medium-size charm with yellow sapphires are among the jewelry in Hamilton Jewelers’ limited-edition collection to raise funds for mental-health awareness and research.
“Audrey Gruss loved the idea of creating a charm collection, not just one singular piece. We talked about something that could be worn every day, about creating a few styles and sizes, but perhaps most importantly, pieces that were both versatile and stylish,” says Anne Russell, Hamilton’s executive vice president.
“We wanted to have a design that was uplifting, happy, and bright—and the sun motif fit the bill,” she says. “I searched through our archives of charm molds and found a design that we originally made around 25 years ago. We worked to modernize it and add new elements like diamonds, yellow sapphires, and enamel detailing. We also changed the scale slightly from the original and added two additional sizes.”
Hamilton is committed to philanthropy and community service in the areas where it has brick-and-mortar locations, says company CEO Hank Siegel, a longtime supporter of HDRF.
“I first became aware of the very important work that HDRF is doing around 10 years ago, and was impressed by the uniqueness of the mission, the open discussions about a disease that for many years had been spoken about behind closed doors, and the incredible, groundbreaking research the foundation has been undertaking,” Siegel tells JCK.
“As an involved member of our communities, and an employer who cares deeply about the well-being of our teams, I have personally witnessed individual struggles with mental health and depressive issues,” Siegel adds. “HDRF is funding significant, breakthrough research in many areas of mental health, and it is an honor for Hamilton to continue our ongoing support for this incredible organization as they work toward new and innovative treatment and prevention of mental illness.”
HDRF advocates and raises money for new research into the origins, medical diagnosis, prevention of, and treatments for depression and other mood disorders.
The Charms of Hope collection includes a bracelet ($1,250) featuring the gold sunflower-shape symbol.
Gruss founded HDRF in 2006 in memory of her mother, Hope, who struggled with clinical depression.
“More than ever, mental health is a problem on everyone’s mind. Research shows that one-third of Americans have depression or anxiety since COVID,” Gruss says. “New treatments are needed more than ever since depression is now the No. 1 cause of disability worldwide.”
In February, Hamilton Jewelers hosted a luncheon at the Colony hotel in Palm Beach to announce the partnership and jewelry collection.
Siegel says he wanted to collaborate with Gruss and HDRF to bring additional awareness to mental-health issues while creating something beautiful and inspiring, like the fine jewelry the fourth-generation jeweler is known for.
“This is a powerful moment for us as we work to break the stigma of mental-health challenges and help fund ... "
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