Tulsa Jewelry Designer Creates Black Diamond "Unity" Collection; Proceeds Going To Black Moon

A Tulsa goldsmith and designer is paying tribute to the Tulsa Race Massacre at Mayfest this year with a special jewelry collection.

Mayfest is happening in parts of Tulsa’s historic Greenwood district where the Tulsa Race Massacre took place. The owner of Dillon Rose wanted to do something special to honor the significance as the centennial of Tulsa’s darkest day approaches.

“Art is a really beautiful medium to have those difficult conversations and to process trauma and I think that we as a city are processing our history and how do we move forward. Art is just a beautiful vehicle for that to happen,” said Dillon Rose founder, Rachel Rose Dazey.

Dazey created a Black Diamond Jewelry Collection to honor black resilience and forward progress. She calls it a ‘Creative Reparations Project.’

“Often we think of reparations as this big government initiative. For me, even if the government was doing the work of reparations, that wouldn't necessarily create trust in our community, so I want people to think, 'How can I, as an individual, as a member of this city, build relationships of trust in community,’" Dazey said.

The collection’s theme is ‘Unity’ and 21 is a symbol throughout, noting the year of the massacre, 1921 and its centennial, 2021.

“Unity, that's really what I want people to feel when they're wearing this… this feeling of deep unity in our city as we move forward and trust,” said Dazey. “Two becoming one, visually of the collection and you see the metal, it's all two pieces that will flow into one and then black diamonds are a theme throughout,” she said.

Dazey is donating 100% of the proceeds from the collection to Black Moon, which is a collective of black Tulsa artists.

“They have a studio space that they have to pay for and they're also starting to do more outreach in the community and trying to figure out how to do more education in our community and I just really think that's the most important work that can be done for local children to really see black artists being successful here,” said Dazey.

“Just overwhelmed. Like, you don't get things like that, especially 100-percent of the proceeds, it's usually like a split,” said photographer and Black Moon founding member, Gary Mason. “Rachel has been one our day one supporters, like from the jump. If we needed something, she was there for us.”

Black Moon’s mission is to cultivate creativity, educate and bring hope to neglected parts of the community, by making art accessible and viewable to all.

"It's beyond important and I like to look into the future," said Mason. "With things happening, like this now, it's a beautiful thing. So we can build on top of that to have a way better future."

Dillon Rose hopes to raise at least $5,000 through the collection to donate to Black Moon.

Black Moon will also have a booth at Mayfest.

for more information on Black Moon, Click Here.

For more information on the work of Dillon Rose, Click Here.