Jewelry Designers Donate Jewels To Aid Relief Efforts In Beirut

Five jewelry designers are each donating a piece of jewelry for an online raffle to aid relief efforts in Beirut following the explosion in its port that has caused at least 200 deaths, 7,000 injuries, and severe damage to much of the infrastructure in Lebanon's capital city They are all part of the online jewelry website called the Auverture, founded by Dutch jewelry designer, Bibi van der Velden The donated Auverture designer pieces are from Lebanese designers Gaelle Khouri, Noor Fares, Selim Mouzannar; along with Daniela Villegas and Bibi van der Velden.

"Following the devastating explosion in Beirut's port last week, we at Auverture want to support the urgent relief efforts in the Lebanese city," van der Velden said "So today, we're launching the Auverture Raffle for Beirut We really do hope to make a lot of money with this raffle.

With the wealth of talent and tradition of jewelry craftsmanship we globally need to support Beirut now." "This truly devastating blast, during a global pandemic and an economic downturn; as a Lebanese friend said, 'it feels like almost the final blow to Lebanon.' However, we have been inspired by the courage and creativity that has been pouring out of all types of imaginative people during these very testing times and it is that quality of strength through design that will aid and help endure the rebuilding of a city and the jewelry industry within." "She continues,"Within the Auverture family we have several incredible jewelry designers from Beirut, and the surrounding Middle East countries. . Source