Small Workshop, Big Heart: Jewel Beetle Raising Funds One Ring at a Time
A couple of years ago, we realised that simply placing a Daffodil Day donation box on the counter wasn’t bringing in much for the Cancer Society. People were supportive, of course, but a box alone didn’t inspire the kind of engagement we hoped for. So, we asked ourselves a simple question: What could we offer that wouldn’t take long, wouldn’t cost us much, but would genuinely delight people?
The answer was sitting right in front of us — ring cleaning and polishing.
At Jewel Beetle, we polish rings every day. It’s quick, it’s satisfying, and the transformation can be remarkable. You can polish your ring at home as much as you like, but nothing compares to a professional polish that restores the original lustre. For suitable pieces, we also use our ultrasonic tank, which sends tiny vibrations through the water to loosen the grime that builds up behind diamonds over time. The moment a customer sees their diamonds sparkling again is always a joy.
In our first year running the fundraiser, we raised around $450. Last year, we passed $500. It may not sound like a huge amount, but compared to the handful of coins we collected with the donation box alone, it’s a massive improvement and every dollar counts. The best part isn’t even the total; it’s the reaction we get when we hand back a freshly polished ring. Some pieces come in looking tired and leave looking brand new. Watching someone’s face light up is worth every minute.
Normally, we charge $12 for a clean and polish, and if you own any of our pieces, you get free lifetime cleaning and polishing , something we should probably remind our customers about more often.
In fact, I’d urge other small businesses to think about whether there’s something simple they could offer that doesn’t take too long, doesn’t cost much, but could raise a bit of extra money for the Cancer Society. Charities are finding it harder than ever to fundraise in the current cost‑of‑living climate, and every little bit helps. You don’t need to run a big event or donate huge sums, sometimes a small service, a quick task, or a little expertise can make a meaningful difference. We’ve found that offering ring cleaning and polishing is manageable for us, genuinely appreciated by customers, and creates a steady stream of donations that far outperforms a lonely collection box on the counter.
There’s a misconception that if you own a business, you must have money to spare. The reality is usually the opposite. Small businesses are doing it tough right now, and the extra disruption on Bridge Street hasn’t made things easier. Schools and charities reach out to us almost weekly, and while we can’t say yes to everything, we’re proud to support the Cancer Society in a way that doesn’t break the bank.
It’s a two‑way street. We give a little of our time, and people discover our workshop who might never have popped in otherwise.
So, for the entire month of August, we’re once again offering ring cleaning and polishing for just $5, with 100% of proceeds going to the Cancer Society. If you’d like to support cancer research and treat your ring to a well‑deserved refresh, come see us at 56 Bridge Street, Nelson.
Let’s see if we can raise even more than last year.
We also request that you bring cash as we don’t accept efpos for this, money goes directly to the donation box.
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