SACRAMENTO – California's first lady is launching a line of jewelry featuring the state's landmarks.
Maria Shriver (search) California Jewelry was to be unveiled Wednesday night at the opening of her California's Remarkable Women Exhibit at the California State History Museum (search).
Shriver recently started wearing a charm bracelet featuring state icons such as the Golden Gate Bridge, the Hollywood sign and Yosemite National Park (search). The item got so much attention Shriver thought she might be able to sell similar jewelry with the profits going to a worthy cause, said her spokeswoman Terri Carbaugh.
Shriver got a friend, Los Angeles designer Jill Schiff, to create the jewelry.
"It's totally Maria's doing," Schiff told the San Jose Mercury News. "She just felt it would have a long shelf life and appeal to a lot of people."
Schiff said the collection is handmade in her studio.
The California State Protocol Fund will receive a portion of the proceeds. The fund is set up so that the cost of hosting foreign dignitaries and promoting international trade and cross cultural activities is paid for by private donations, not taxpayers.
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