A tiny and beautiful natural gemstone helps bring relief to a huge and devastating natural disaster in the southeastern United States. At least, this is the hope of one compassionate gem artist who wants to make a difference.
Internationally acclaimed, award-winning gem cutter, Jeff White, is offering one of his fine, custom-cut sapphires for sale to the highest bidder on eBay. His purpose is to support relief efforts underway after the immense devastation and hundreds of lost lives due to recent tornadoes in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Kentucky, Virginia, Louisiana and Tennessee.
Gemstone to Benefit Survivors of Record-breaking Tornado Disaster
"Particularly hard-hit was my home state of Alabama, where over two hundred people are confirmed dead in what will surely be known as one of the worst such disasters in US history," pens White in his eBay listing as well as in an email letter sent to friends an clients.
By all accounts, the massive tornado outbreak between April 25 and 28, 2011, in the southeastern United States was one of historic and record proportions in terms of the number of tornadoes, their tremendous size and power, and the ensuing damage and resulting fatalities. As of this writing, recovery efforts are still underway and at least 339 people have lost their lives. Most of the destruction occurred on April 27.
Blue Sapphire for Charity is Available on eBay
The sapphire, a 0.91ct natural, unheated, cushion-shaped, medium blue sapphire from Sri Lanka, is up for auction now on the eBay site. Anyone may bid on the gemstone, which is listed as Item Number 130515610191. According to White, "One-hundred percent of the proceeds from this auction will go to the American Red Cross, an organization that is playing a crucial role in assisting those affected by last week's disaster." Also, White will ship the sapphire to the winning bidder free of cost.
A native of Alabama now living in Tennessee, White says, "This particular tragedy hit very close to home for me, with people that I know and places that I hold dear affected." Tuscaloosa, where some of the greatest destruction took place, is home to the University of Alabama, White's alma mater. In his letter and on his eBay page, White writes, "The very apartment complex where I lived during my years there was practically destroyed, and many people lost their lives in and around town."
Then, of particular personal poignancy, White mentions his second near-and-dear location, "Cullman, another town devastated by the tornadoes, is home to family. The church where my wife and I were married was very badly damaged, as was much of the downtown area."
Sapphire is Jeff White's Third Auction-Gemstone for Charity
White contends that putting the sapphire up for auction is the right thing to do, "Even if I weren't personally affected, I would probably still feel compelled to do something, given the enormity of the tragedy," he says in a recent interview with this author.
This is not the first time White has auctioned-off one of his gemstones for a charitable cause. "I have done three so far," he says. "In addition to this one, I did one for Haiti earthquake relief and one to benefit a local childcare center. I feel that both of those were pretty successful, and this one will hopefully generate some much-needed funds as well."
In each case, he continues, 100% of the sales price was donated. White says that the total for the three auctions will be at least $2,000, although he hopes that the results will be significantly higher, depending upon how this auction turns out.
Blue Sapphire is Durable, Valuable, and a Best-Seller
Why this particular stone? "I wanted to auction-off something that had popular appeal and was valuable enough to generate significant money for the Red Cross," says White. "Blue sapphire is one of my best-selling stones, and the timing just worked out perfectly to be able to offer this one at the right time."
Sapphire is a exceptional gemstone in terms of its beauty and durability. Rated 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, with a lack of cleavage, sapphire's strength combined with its visual appeal make it suitable for any type of daily-wear jewelry. Moreover, sapphire makes an outstanding engagement ring stone. Sapphire is the mineral corundum and comes in almost every color of the rainbow (when it is red, corundum is called ruby). Blue sapphire is known to be one of the best of all gemstones for displaying blue color, and, historically, blue has proven to be the most popular sapphire color for jewelry.
Blue sapphire has been adorned by royalty and clergy throughout time, and is especially popular today in light of the engagement ring worn by Great Britain's Duchess of Cambridge and her April, 29, 2011, wedding to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge.
Beautiful Blue Gemstone with a Cause and Compassionate History
One eBay gemstone bidder says, "I love the idea of a beautiful stone with a cause. Although I want Jeff's sapphire for myself, it would make a wonderful engagement stone for someone... after all, the gem comes with a built-in history of love and compassion."
Jeff White is an internationally-recognized gem artist with nearly 20 years of experience. He has been featured in many publications, including Jewelry Business Magazine, lapidary journal Jewelry Artist, Prism (the magazine of the American Gem Trade Association), as well as a newly-published gem buying guide by Renee Newman.
The Jeff White blue sapphire offered on eBay may be found by accessing this link.
Claire Eddins - Writer/editor, award-winning photographer Claire Eddins collects gems, horses, and obsesses over home, art, and design.
