Diamond-medallion collection benefits South Africa

Los Angeles—Mia and Kompany's Isibindi Diamond Medallion Collection, which launched in late November, is getting celebrity support as it raises awareness and money for millions of AIDS orphans in South Africa through Isibindi community-based child- and youth-care projects.

"I was deeply touched by the Isibindi project because it provides hope to South African children deeply in need. It empowers orphans to courageously help themselves, as it teaches child orphans the necessary skills so that they may stay with their siblings and receive ongoing nurturing and care in their family home," Mia and Kompany creator and designer Mia Koniver said in a statement. "With the simple gesture of wearing an Isibindi Diamond Medallion, I hope to encourage the continuation and financing of this amazing community program, which directly helps the growing population of children in South Africa orphaned by AIDS every day."

Each medallion has the words "Isibindi," a Zulu word for the name of the project in South Africa, and "Dapperheid," an Afrikaans word, engraved on the front. Both mean "courage" in English. Each side is embedded with a star-studded diamond. The back of each medallion is engraved with the words "Isibindi Umbumbulu," representing the region in South Africa where the program first began.

The collection's 14-karat gold and sterling silver round-medallion necklaces have become a hot fashion accessory among celebrities such as Patricia Arquette, Elizabeth Banks, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Sophia Bush and Sharon Stone. To date, the collection has raised nearly $10,000.

Prices in the collection range from about $190 to $1,200. The pieces are available now through April 30 at various retailers, including Miaandkompany.com, Kitson in Los Angeles and Shopkitson.com.