June 2009

Petal Necklaces: Kyanite, Rose Quartz, Onyx, New Jade, and Rock Crystal

Joan's Personal Message

June is graduation month. How telling it is that we commemorate this time of transition with “commencement”—a word that signifies new beginnings. June finds the summer solstice, honors fathers, and offers an opportunity to regroup and appreciate what we can do with our time. Around our country, we see so many in need and so many trying to find ways to use their time more productively.

As I look at the effects of the economy and President Obama’s call to action, I am reminded of my oldest daughter Julia and her choice to spend her last summer before graduating from college in government service. Her sense of justice and fairness has always been an inspiration to me. But now more than ever, I fully appreciate her as an adult who has chosen to look seriously into service to others—both to government and community. Julia is determined to make the world a better place. She is representative of many young women who are committed to giving back. As my dear friend Karen Rogers writes in her definition of philanthropy, “Giving to others is absolutely the greatest gift we can give ourselves”—a poignant lesson she learned from her grandmother Mary Kay Ash.

This month’s Jewelry Trend features the Jules Earrings—I hope they aptly communicate my vision. I tried for several years to design an earring that I thought could capture Julia’s spirit and be worthy of being named in her honor. The faceted translucent stone at its core has the ability to move. It reflects the notion that adult life often requires that we acknowledge and accept structure and barriers. But it doesn't mean we are caged in without options and room to shine.

I have been very fortunate with my line. The Georgette Earrings, named after my husband George, continue to be a classic. Last month I introduced the Jess Earrings in honor of the joy and energy I see in my younger daughter, Jessie. This month I complete the collection of pieces named in honor of my nuclear family. I wish with all my heart that the newest additions and creations carry the same power of sustainable appeal the Georgettes, Jess’, and Jules’ have received as they have been inspired by the most important people in my life.

Warmest Regards,

Cause of the Month

As June unfolds, we salute our Graduates and wish them grace and perseverance as they seek to direct their knowledge and passion into worthy pursuits. On behalf of our generous customers Joan Hornig Jewelry is pleased to have supported numerous educational organizations including:

American Friends of The Hebrew University
Classroom, Inc.
Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T)
Hortins Kids, Inc.
Marymount Manhattan College
Middlebury College
Nightingale Bamford School
The Educational Alliance
Syracuse University
Teach for America
The Bard Graduate Center
Center for Arts Education (CAE)
The Dalton School
The Foundation for Tomorrow
The Fund for Public School
Yeshiva Academy

We also honor the men in our lives this Father’s Day. Where would we be without fathers and father figures in our lives? Joan Hornig has designed limited-edition 18k green gold Whitney Cufflinks—named in honor of former CITY magazine Market Editor Whitney Robinson, one of the first people to highlight our model of philanthropy and giving back. The name “Whitney” is also a tribute to American Art and a proud reminder that each piece of Joan Hornig jewelry is made in the USA.

Our sterling silver Reminder Clips engraved with the messages, “You Can’t Be Too Generous” and “Philanthropy is Beautiful” are also a perfect gift to show gratitude to the wonderful men we love. They are modeled after extra large paper clips and are meant to make it easier for us to hold the things we love, such as photos of family members and loved ones, closer to our hearts.

Jewelry Trend

Petal Necklaces

Summer is about simple joys. Our petal collection symbolizes summer’s multi-hued and multi-dimensional floral beauty. Fashioned with strands of Kyanite, Rose Quartz, Onyx, New Jade, and Rock Crystal, our Butterfly and Rope Necklaces are Joan Hornig classics.

Jules Earrings
Named in honor of Joan’s eldest daughter Julia, the Jules Earrings in 18k green gold with lemon citrines or white topaz represent movement, openness, and reflection. The citrine/white topaz drops dangle within a delicate gold frame, radiating out for all to see. The raw beauty of the stones is visible from all directions, yet does not overpower the simplicity and elegance of a summer wardrobe.

Hamptons Necklace
The Hamptons Necklace in 18k green gold or sterling silver reminds Joan of the ocean. The individual segments of the Hamptons necklace are modeled after slices of coral. Connected, they form a delicate and powerful strand around a woman's neck, making a statement without making a fuss. Nothing looks better against a summer t-shirt than a beautiful but simple gold or silver necklace.

Generosity is Beautiful

Sade Baderinwa, anchor Channel 7 news, WABC-TV
Generosity is also about giving your time. We thank Sade Baderinwa, anchor for Channel 7 news on WABC-TV, for hosting Riverkeeper’s Annual Fishermen’s Ball. The event raised funds to safeguard New York City’s quality of water and protect the Hudson River. Sade also hosted Harper’s Bazaar Fifth Annual Anticounterfitting Summit, where she was photographed wearing our Watermelon Tourmaline Necklace. Sade merges our Philanthropy is Beautiful mission with her own individual philanthropic work, proving that we can all find unique ways to collectively give back.

Philanthropist Boutique, San Francisco
Sally Fowler and Jessica Moment found Joan’s model of philanthropy inspirational. Later, they created the Philanthropist Boutique in San Francisco that gives 100% of its profits to a different charity every three months. According to Town and Country, which features Fowler and Moment in their June Philanthropy issue, “Theirs [Philanthropist Boutique] is the kind of fashion that never goes out of style.” We agree. And we thank them for spreading the Philanthropy is Beautiful^® message.

Philanthropy Is...

Philanthropy is the responsibility we all have to enrich the world we live in and to touch the lives of others in need, but we often forget about the reward we receive from freely giving of ourselves. My grandmother, Mary Kay Ash, always said, "All that you send into the lives of others, will come back into your own, tenfold." I have definitely found this to be true in my own life. Giving to others is absolutely the greatest gift we can give ourselves.

—Karen Rogers, Board Member, Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation

The Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation was created in 1996 and its mission is two-fold: to fund research of cancers affecting women and help prevent domestic violence while raising awareness of the issue. Since the Foundation's inception, it has awarded nearly $18 million to shelters and programs addressing domestic violence and $10.8 million to cancer researchers and related causes throughout the United States. Joan Hornig Jewelry is proud to support these efforts.

Making A Difference

Thank you Joan Hornig Jewelry for your ongoing and thoughtful generosity to Bottomless Closet. Thanks to wonderful friends like you we’ve been able to serve over ten thousand women in just ten years, guiding them from a path of economic dependency to financial freedom.

—Arlyn S. Gardner, Senior Vice President, Bottomless Closet

Bottomless Closet promotes economic self–sufficiency by providing interview skills, business clothing, and ongoing career development and support programs to economically disadvantaged New York City women.

Notable Women

These Notable Women are Making A Statement and A Difference wearing Joan Hornig Jewelry: