‘Jewelers for Japan’ Auction Raises $20,000

Ajaline.com raised more than $20,000 to benefit relief efforts in Japan through their “Jewelers for Japan” auction on Charity Buzz from April 5 to April 19. A total of 19 jewelry houses donated jewelry for the auction.

Ajaline, founded by Meeling Wong and Jim Conte, is a members-only flash-sales site devoted to luxury fine jewelry and watches.

Proceeds raised from “Jewelers for Japan” will benefit Japan Society’s Earthquake Relief Fund, supporting four specific organizations:

* Tokyo Volunteer Network for Disaster Relief – a network of approximately 3,000 volunteers focusing on food, water, blankets and other goods from a distribution center in Tome, Miyagi Prefecture;

* JEN – an international humanitarian and relief development organization providing emergency relief supplies to the fishing village of Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, among the hardest hit by the tsunami;

* ETIC – a Japanese organization consisting of young social and business entrepreneurs committed to providing emergency relief goods to the elderly, disabled, and those with special medical needs; and

* Japan NPO Center – a center, partnering with the Civil Society Initiative Fund, working to identify and support local community-based non-profit organizations and volunteer organizations involved in relief and sustainable recovery work throughout the affected regions with small grants

Jewelry brands who participated in the auction were H.Stern, Mikimoto, Kimberly McDonald, Jill Platner, Coomi, House of Waris, Buccellati, Paolo Costagli, Robert Lee Morris, Robin Rotenier, Lagos, Monica Rich Kosann, Charriol, Delatori, Gurhan, Yossi Harari, Sally Sohn, Emily & Ashley and Diamond in the Rough.

Japan Society is an American nonprofit organization supported by individuals, foundations and corporations that brings the people of Japan and the United States closer together through mutual understanding, appreciation and cooperation.