IndependentsMay 20, 2021
DCA, GIA Partner on ScholarshipsEvents & AwardsJul 22, 2021
Here Are the WJA Foundation’s 2021 Scholarship Winners
The recipients are receiving a total $35,000 in five scholarship categories.
The WJA Foundation is giving $35,000 in scholarship funds for the 2021-2022 program year.
New York—The Women’s Jewelry Association Foundation has announced this year’s scholarship recipients.
Receiving a total of $35,000, all are students in accredited programs focused on jewelry-making and design, the foundation said.
There are five scholarship categories, each awarding recipients between $1,000 and $5,000.
They are: the Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship; the Gabriel Love Foundation Scholarship; Designer Category (based on designs by the student, including CAD and drawings); Designer/Creator Category (based on images of finished pieces that are designed and created by the student); and Non-Designer Category (essay-based for those studying to be a gemologist, appraiser, watch-maker, bench jeweler, or retailer).
The Cindy Edelstein Scholarship, created to honor the legacy of long-time WJA board member and designer advocate Cindy Edelstein, is awarded to Beth Zwiacher, a student at the Gemological Institute of America.
The scholarship awards $5,000 to emerging fine jewelry designers or artisans.
The Gabriel Love Foundation Scholarship, also a $5,000 award, was established and funded by Gabriel & Co.'s Gabriel Love Foundation.
It’s intended to help students who want to achieve professional growth in the industry and looks for applicants who plan to use their careers in jewelry to improve communities and participate in charitable efforts.
This year’s scholarship has been awarded to Joanna Parrish, a student at Bennet Street School.
Related stories will be right here …
Receiving a total of $35,000, all are students in accredited programs focused on jewelry-making and design, the foundation said.
There are five scholarship categories, each awarding recipients between $1,000 and $5,000.
They are: the Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship; the Gabriel Love Foundation Scholarship; Designer Category (based on designs by the student, including CAD and drawings); Designer/Creator Category (based on images of finished pieces that are designed and created by the student); and Non-Designer Category (essay-based for those studying to be a gemologist, appraiser, watch-maker, bench jeweler, or retailer).
The Cindy Edelstein Scholarship, created to honor the legacy of long-time WJA board member and designer advocate Cindy Edelstein, is awarded to Beth Zwiacher, a student at the Gemological Institute of America.
The scholarship awards $5,000 to emerging fine jewelry designers or artisans.
The Gabriel Love Foundation Scholarship, also a $5,000 award, was established and funded by Gabriel & Co.'s Gabriel Love Foundation.
It’s intended to help students who want to achieve professional growth in the industry and looks for applicants who plan to use their careers in jewelry to improve communities and participate in charitable efforts.
This year’s scholarship has been awarded to Joanna Parrish, a student at Bennet Street School.
Additional 2021 winners are:
--Christiane Gozashti, Gemological Institute of America;
--Xinchen Li, UW Wisconsin;
--Barbara Salinas, FIT;
--Jennifer Foote, Academy of Art Institute;
--Allison Ice, University of Kansas;
--Sky Gilbert, Winthrop University;
--Naomi Chicoine, San Diego State;
--Amber Kimlick, University of North Carolina;
--Spriha Baid, Gemological Institute of America; and
--Sarah Fam, Gemological Institute of America.
WJA raises funds for the foundation’s scholarships at its annual Awards for Excellence gala.
This year, the event will be centered on WJA’s 2021 organizational theme, “Building Resilience for Responsible Business.”
It will aim to raise funds to continue the organization’s programming and charitable giving, including its diversity, equity, and inclusion events, as well as the new Responsible Sourcing & Sustainability Education Fund to support the development of more responsible business leaders within the industry.
The 2021 Awards for Excellence will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in New York City.
An online auction will accompany the event, with proceeds also supporting WJA Foundation’s grants and scholarship programs.
To learn more, visit WomensJewelryAssociation.com.
Those interested in making donations to the foundation can do so online at any time.
Future WJA membership grant opportunities will open Sept. 1 and close Oct. 31.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
Weekly QuizJun 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board LeaderIndustry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.
