Castanet and Premier Jewellery and Loans' annual diamond earring fundraiser raised $5,325 for Women's Shelter

The fifth annual diamond earring auction presented by Castanet and Premier Jewelry and Loans was a huge success, raising more than $5,000 for the Kelowna Women's Shelter.

"We auction a set of brand-new stunning diamond earrings every year and the winner gets an awesome Christmas gift and we donate 100 per cent of the proceeds to the Women’s Shelter,” says Premier Jewellery and Loans owner Martin Strasser.

“This year we are proud to have raised $5,325 which brings our lifetime total over $30,000.”

Built by Premier Jewellery and Loans goldsmith, this year’s halo design diamond earrings are 14-carat white gold with butterfly backs. The set was appraised at $7,000.

“Thank you so much to the community for continuing to support us, even through these difficult times. I know it’s been a difficult year for everyone from personal to business, but to be able to see this come together still is absolutely wonderful,” says resource development coordinator for the Kelowna Women's Shelter Ester Pike.

Funds raised will be going towards direct shelter services. This will cover everyday necessities for the woman and children in the emergency shelter which is at full capacity.

“We serve currently about 20 women and 15 children,” says Pike. “We are always full and I think especially during the COVID pandemic, we were lucky enough to be able to partner with local hotels in order to be able to serve more women and children, but yeah it’s always at capacity.”