Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design wants your old jewelry.

In a recent press release, the art and design department announced the “Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM): MSU” project. This is a community jewelry mining project dedicated to repurposing old, unwanted jewelry into new pieces.

During the Fall 2024 semester, students from Missouri State and area professional jewelers will collaborate with the University of Kansas to transform donated pieces into new jewelry.

The project will conclude with two traveling exhibitions. Missouri State’s Carolla Arts Exhibition Center will host one exhibit Jan. 27-Feb. 21, 2025. The other exhibit will be on view Jan. 21-31, 2025 in the Edgar Heap of Birds Family Gallery at the University of Kansas.

How to donate your jewelry to the RJM project

Donors must submit an official project donation form with all donated jewelry. Printed forms are available at donation drop-off locations.

Jewelry donors will receive discount coupons to purchase any repurposed pieces. Sales of repurposed jewelry support Ethical Metalsmiths‘ mission to educate and connect people with responsibly sourced materials.

If you are donating gold or silver pieces and have had them appraised, RJM can recognize your contribution at its full appraised value as a tax-deductible donation to Ethical Metalsmiths. Official appraisal documents must be included with the donation.

Drop-off location option

Bring your jewelry donations to the art and design department’s main office Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The office is located in Brick City 1, 327 W Mill St, Springfield, Missouri.

The department is accepting drop-off donations through Sept. 16, 2024.

Mail-in option

Donors can also send their jewelry by mail up to Sept. 13. Mail your jewelry to Missouri State University, Department of Art and Design, Attn: Jin A. Seo, 901 S. National Ave. Springfield, MO 65897.

Questions about the donation process?

For more information about the RJM project and how to donate, email Jin A. Seo, associate professor of 3D Studies (Metal and Jewelry) or call the Department of Art and Design at 417-837-2330.

About Ethical Metalsmiths

Ethical Metalsmiths is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to encourage social change that values jewelry made with ethically sourced materials. They do this by educating people about irresponsible mining, promoting transparency in jewelry supply chains and highlighting the collective efforts of jewelers actively changing their practices. Ethical Metalsmiths’ vision is a world in which people can create and enjoy jewelry made with materials from responsible sources that protect and sustain the earth, its peoples and cultures.