Woodland Jewellers, in Williams Lake since 1933, has once again stepped forward with an innovative fundraising project for the Cariboo Foundation Hospital Trust.
For the fourth year in a row, the long-time local jewelry store has designed an elegant diamond ring to be raffled off for a great cause.
This is the fourth ring that Geoff Bourdon has designed at Woodland Jewellers to raise funds for the Cariboo Hospital Foundation Trust to purchase cancer detection equipment.
Each ring has been unique and memorable, and this year’s ring is no exception. The first ring was hearts and diamonds, the second was yellow and white diamonds, the third featured yellow diamonds with a completely new design and this year’s ring stands out with fancy pink diamonds, and a uniquely square shape.
Geoff said that it’s challenging to come up with a brand new design each year, adding that ‘custom’ is based on what a customer wants, and is tailored specifically for their personality and their vision.
“These rings are truly unique, but they’re not for one specific person. When I design for the store, I only really need one person to like it, but for this project I need at least 600 people to feel a connection to it.
“When I design something I always want the majority of people who see it to like it,” he said.
“There is so much detail in this ring, including mirrored finish on the most minute spaces. The amount of time definitely reflects the finished product. I can always tell when a corner was cut; I take the extra time and don’t settle for ‘good enough.’”
He said that the satisfaction he takes from the rings is on a craftsmanship level. “When it comes back years from now for cleaning or for repair, it’ll still be great craftsmanship,” he continued.
After this year’s raffle, Woodland Jewellers will have donated $39,000 to the Hospital Trust to purchase cancer detection equipment.
He said that if they continue this project, Woodlands will have donated a quarter of a million dollars by the time they celebrate their 100th anniversary.
The draw for the ring takes place at the Hospital Foundation’s Gala Dinner in the Gibraltar Room on November 24. “For the past couple of years I made the call to let the winner know, and one lady thought it was a prank call and hung up on me,” he stated.
He also said that this cause is personal for him and his family, and that they embraced a truly local project, where every dollar raised is spent on the equipment.
“Ring winners typically come into the store to say how much they love the ring. It’s blissful ignorance for me until I see the ring on someone’s finger and see how excited and happy they are that they won it,” he said. “That’s when it really hits home.”
Tickets are available while they last at Woodlands Jewellers at 150 Oliver Street.