Beautiful Black Diamond Necklace - Auction Starts Now!

When I attended the Blog Paws 2013 conference last May, I entered a raffle hosted by the ASPCA. I'm not even sure I realized I was entering to win a beautiful black diamond, paw-print necklace donated by Zales Jewelers so was rather surprised to learn over Twitter that I had actually won. (Unflattering evidence of win pictured here.)

The necklace is beautiful as you can see in the picture.

It is from the ASCPA's Tender Voices™ collection and, as far as I can tell, no longer available through Zales (although I have found a few for sale via "Find and Save".)

The necklace is black diamonds (1/4 CT. T.W.) set in sterling silver with an 18 inch sterling silver cable chain. Every online mention of it I have found has it retailing at $199 USD. And it's really pretty. The only trouble is, I don't really wear jewelry.

So, instead of leaving this darling little pendant sitting in its pretty little box, I'm auctioning it off on eBay and donating the proceeds to Save a Sato.

Why Save a Sato?

Save a Sato is the all volunteer rescue group in Puerto Rico that rescued Bella. The work they do is endless and includes hands-on intervention and rescue as well as advocacy and outreach programs. Per their web site:

"Save A Sato is a non-profit, all volunteer organization dedicated to easing the suffering of Puerto Rico's homeless and abused animals. "Sato" is slang for street dog. We rescue Satos from the streets and beaches, give them medical care, food and shelter, and plenty of love. When they are healthy, we send them to one of our shelter partners for adoption into loving homes."

In 2006, the ASPCA recognized Save a Sato's enormous contribution to animal welfare on the island by nominating Gloria Marti, President and Shelter Manager of Save a Sato, for their most prestigious award - the Lifetime Achievement Award. One of 11 finalists, Gloria didn't win but she is certainly a hero among all who know of her tireless efforts to save and care for these Sato dogs.

So, about that auction?

Starting tonight, 11/25/13 at 9:38 EST, my little necklace will be available for bidding on eBay. You can bid on it here!

I'm setting the starting price at just $29.99 but I'm hoping it'll fare better than that as 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Save a Sato. To sweeten the pot, I will double match the final price (up to a maximum match of $500).

I'm hoping we can give Save a Sato a healthy donation to brighten up their holidays.

The auction will be open for 7 days and bidding will end promptly at 9:38 EST on 12/2/13. As soon as payment has been confirmed, I'll wrap the little box up and send it anywhere in the world.

I can't guarantee a Christmas delivery to everywhere in the whole world but I will certainly do my best in case you were thinking this might make a lovely little holiday present for someone you know.

Please help spread the word about the auction. Unless you want it for yourself, in which case, go, bid, bid, bid! And join me in wishing the stray dogs of Puerto Rico a happy Christmas and their very own forever home in 2014.

PS - The eBay listing was made using my husband, Jan's, account. He had an offer from eBay to waive the seller fees so we used that in order to ensure that 100% of the selling price goes to the Satos.