Surrounded by the beauty of Denver, Colo., designer John Atencio has been creating award-winning jewelry collections for more than 30 years. Now, he is putting more of his heart into his work. The designer, who lost his father to heart disease when Atencio was just starting out in his career, is teaming with the American Heart Association in their fight against the disease.
Atencio created a diamond pavè heart pendant, which made its debut at the American Heart Association's 49th Annual Heart Fashion Show in Denver in September for their Hearts for Health fundraiser. All in all, Atencio donated 50 of his Elements hearts, worth a total of $10,000 to benefit American Heart Association programs. This is not the first time the designer has given his given his `heart' to others. When he heard about the 25 brave American Airlines and United Airlines flight attendants who lost their lives on 9/11, he sent each family a heart pendant as a symbol of the life and love they lost with the message, “our hearts go out to you.”
Atencio hopes his latest involvement with the American Heart Association will help raise awareness that will lead to more funding to battle the disease.



Source: Couture International Jeweler
Oct - Nov 2002 issue