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RAPAPORT... The Simmons Jewelry Company will be donating 50 percent of profits from the Green Bracelet, which is the first piece in the Green Initiative collection, to educational programs across Africa.
The Green Bracelet, which is scheduled to hit retail stores at the end of March, is already being worn by celebrities Beyonce, Naomi Campbell, Eddie Murphy, Penelope Cruz, Jon Voight, Chris Tucker, Gabrielle Union, T.I. and others the company announced in a statement. 
The bracelet is made from natural minerals found in Africa, genuine green malachite beads, and a rough Africa conflict free diamond. The Green Bracelet embodies the natural beauty of Africa and celebrates the resources this rich continent has to offer, Simmons Jewelry announced.
Twenty-five percent of profits from all other Green Initiative designs will be donated to the cause.
The Green Initiative collection is a unique combination of modern, traditional and inspirational hip-hop inspired unisex jewelry in stainless steel, green rubber, and diamonds. The line features the diamond encrusted Ohm Watch and Ohm pendant, as well as bracelets, pendants, chains, and rings priced from $200 to $35,000.
Simmons Jewelry co-owners Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons, along with company president Scott Rauch, announced the first creation from its new Green Initiative collection of conscious jewelry on March 1, 2007. The line was inspired by Simmons after a fact-finding trip to Botswana and South Africa during November 2006.
Simmons and a delegation visited the region to see first-hand how diamonds were empowering locals. Upon his return to the United States, Simmons and Simmons Jewelry formed the Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.) and the Green Initiative. The D.E.F. is an international, non-profit organization, with a mission to raise money for educational programs to uplift the people and communities of Africa. The Green Initiative's mission is to raise funds for the D.E.F.
For the company's first piece, each bracelet will come with:
A Kimberley Process certificate and a Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL) certificate, insuring the diamonds are conflict free. GCAL, with its Source Veritas service, gives buyers the assurance that the diamond originated from a Kimberley Process compliant company and complies with the 2003 US Clean Diamond Act.
A special DVD message from Simmons with footage from his trip to Africa.
Simmons Jewelry was created to satisfy the fashionable jewelry needs of youth culture worldwide. Simmons and Kimora Lee established the company in 2003. Simmons Jewelry holds the licenses for the Green Initiative, Kimora Lee for Hello Kitty, Baby Phat Fashion Watches, and the Simmons Jewelry Company Men's Collection. Information on the Green Initiative collection can be found on http://www.simmonsjewelryco.com/.
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