# Donna Chambers

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**Donna Chambers** is an American [jewellery designer](/source/Jewellery_design) based in [White Plains, New York](/source/White_Plains,_New_York), United States. She is known for designs featuring pearls and antique mother of pearl gambling chips. Chambers' jewellery has been carried by major department stores such as [Bloomingdale's](/source/Bloomingdale's), [Saks Fifth Avenue](/source/Saks_Fifth_Avenue) and Na Hoku[1] and the [National Museum of African American History and Culture](/source/National_Museum_of_African_American_History_and_Culture) in Washington, D.C.

## Life

Chambers worked for textile designer [Vera Neumann](/source/Vera_Neumann) to separate colours for silk screen scarves. In 1968, Chambers received the first Vera Industries George Neumann Scholarship award and attended Pratt Industries to study fashion design.[2] Chambers also worked as an assistant to fashion designer [Oleg Cassini](/source/Oleg_Cassini).[3]

## About

Chambers married jeweler Irving Williams in 1976. She took over his Brooklyn jewellery repair business upon his death in 1978. Donna Chambers Designs was established in 1981 to create/manufacture 14-karat gold and cultured-pearl fine jewellery.[3] Later, a line of porcelain cameos featuring African-American women was added, as well as a line of antique mother-of-pearl for real Chinese gambling chips further enhanced with pearls.[4] The poker chips, which form the centerpieces of bracelets, earrings and pendants, date from the Ching Dynasty and typically bear family crests or initials on one side and a drawing engraved with some aspect of Chinese life on the other.[5] Chambers came across the poker chips by accident. "I'm known as the pearl lady . ... My work has always been of pearl, whether freshwater or cultured. I use a lot of mother of pearl, abalone, and [cultured pearls](/source/Cultured_pearl). I was in Tucson [about 1988] . ... and I did a double take," Chambers said, "I saw these mother-of-pearl, beautifully carved pieces...I picked up a few and made two or three pins with them."[6]

In 1990, Chambers opened *That Old Black Magic Book and Gift Gallery* at [Westchester](/source/Westchester_County,_New_York), a New York gift shop featuring African-American gift items, art, greeting cards, and books. The works of more than 50 artists and designers were featured in the store. A monthly book club sponsored by the shop featured readings by [Arthur Ashe](/source/Arthur_Ashe), [Nikki Giovanni](/source/Nikki_Giovanni), Bernice L. McFadden, the Rev. [Al Sharpton](/source/Al_Sharpton), and [Iyanla Vanzant](/source/Iyanla_Vanzant).[7][8] The shop closed after 20 years.[4]

## Awards

- National Women's Jewelry Association Award for Manufacturing Excellence - 1992[9]

## References

1. "Donna Chambers". *PRISM: American Gem Trade Association*. '***(Winter 2010): 12.***

1. "Donna Chambers". *PRISM: American Gem Trade Association*. '***(Winter 2010): 11.***

1. Howe, Bob (Spring 2002). "Pratt Alumnae: Hand Made". *The Magazine of PRATT Institute*

1. ["N.Y. artist's precious jewelry in Smithsonian museum gift shop"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/09/27/ny-artists-precious-jewelry-smithsonian-museum-gift-shop/91177004/). *USA TODAY*. September 27, 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2016.

1. Totty, Patrick. ["Modern Jeweler: Product and Trends for Jewelry Retailers - Retailer Pearl Picks"](https://web.archive.org/web/20161112211005/http://www.modernjeweler.com/print/Modern-Jeweler/Retailer-Pearl-Picks/1$801). *www.modernjeweler.com*. '***(October 2008). Archived from [the original](http://www.modernjeweler.com/print/Modern-Jeweler/Retailer-Pearl-Picks/1$801) on 2016-11-12. Retrieved 12 November 2016.***

1. ["Remembering the life of Donna Chambers"](https://obituaries.thedailystar.com/obituary/donna-chambers-1079964896/). *obituaries.thedailystar.com*. Retrieved 2023-07-17.

1. Ames, Lynne (17 November 2002). ["Staying Ahead of the Mainstream"](https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/17/nyregion/staying-ahead-of-the-mainstream.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 12 November 2016.

1. Ames, Lynne (22 June 1997). ["Specialty Shop Offers a Reading Round Table of Black Authors"](https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/22/nyregion/specialty-shop-offers-a-reading-round-table-of-black-authors.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 12 November 2016.

1. ["Women's Jewelry Association"](http://www.womensjewelryassociation.com/content.asp?contentid=216). *www.womensjewelryassociation.com*. Retrieved 12 November 2016.

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