One year after returning from Africa and starting the Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF), Russell Simmons made a donation of $311,535 to the fund to help Africa's education system, via his Simmons Jewelry Co.

The Diamond Empowerment Fund, founded by Russell Simmons, is a non-profit, international organization dedicated to empowerment in Africa through funding education programs in African countries where diamonds are a natural resource.

Simmons Jewelry launched the Green Initiative jewelry collection in 2007 with a signature piece called the Green Bracelet, made from genuine green malachite beads and a rough diamond.

More than $20 from the sale of each Green Bracelet (which retailed for $125) was donated to DEF.

Since the bracelet's launch, it has become a sought after item by many celebs -- including Beyoncé, Bill Clinton, Mischa Barton, John Mayer, Vanessa Hudgens, David Beckham, and Ludacris, among others.

For more information on DEF, visit DiamondEmpowerment.org.