RAPAPORT... Day’s Jewelers in Maine will host three events in the coming weeks, one of which celebrates fair-trade diamonds.

In conjunction with the opening of Day's Jewelers' largest store, at the Hannaford Plaza in South Portland, the retailer will host an educational jewelry museum on November 14 devoted to teaching consumers how to purchase fair-trade and conflict-free diamonds and gemstones.

Day's Jewelers will showcase the journey that each piece of jewelry takes. the event will educate customers about Africa’s diamond beneficiation movement, platinum and gold mining-practices, environmentally conscious jewelry recycling and the newest technology in computer-animated jewelry design.

Five percent of sales made that day will be donated to the Junior League of Portland, Maine, and $10 for every piece of diamond jewelry sold will be donated to Day’s "Diamonds for Peace" program.

Jeff Corey, president of Day’s Jewelers, said that the company was donating the 5 percent to support the Junior League of Portland's "great mission to promote voluntarism, develop the potential of women, and improve the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.”

On November 13, Day’s Jewelers plans a “Ladies Night” that combines a spa fete with shopping. On November 15, the culmination of the grand opening celebration, Day's will host a gala for the Junior League of Portland with live music, food, drinks, a ribbon cutting ceremony and networking opportunities with powerful women from the greater Portland area.

NC