SourcingApr 26, 2022
De Beers Sinks $2M Into Startup That Grows Kelp Forests Events & AwardsApr 27, 2022
WJA Takes Emerging Designer Mentorship Program Nationwide
De Beers is supporting the initiative.
New York—With support from De Beers, the Women’s Jewelry Association is expanding a jewelry design business incubator program across North America.
WJA chapter leaders in northern California created the Jewelry Loupe Project in 2019.
It sees new designers and emerging brands partner with industry mentors for individual support, as well as monthly instruction for the entire incubator group from expert contributors who work across the jewelry supply chain.
Past President of WJA’s Northern California Chapter and co-founder of San Francisco jewelry store FiatLux Marie McCarthy said: “I developed the Jewelry Loupe Project to not only assist emerging designers, as most mentorships do, but also to build a strong community of dynamic jewelers aided by a large group of industry veterans.
“From there, most participants actively aid in the program beyond their year, essentially paying it forward and continually fostering a large community network of jewelers.”
Now, De Beers is partnering with WJA to expand the Jewelry Loupe Project across North America, offering it to more designers with an emphasis on those from underserved and underrepresented communities, WJA said, such as BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ designers.
The project commenced this month, with 14 new and emerging designers selected to participate out of more than 100 applicants.
In addition to monthly Zoom meetings with their assigned mentors, designers will hear from experts via virtual sessions.
Topics and experts are as follows.
• Concept and design with Prerna Sethi and Lauren Harwell Godfrey
• Marketing and branding with Temi Adamoleukun and Alexei Angelides
• Wholesale and retail partnerships with Lauren Wolf and Alicia Goodwin
• Sourcing and materials with Jared Holstein and Noelle Habib
• Tradeshows and sales with Morgan Miller and Randi Molofsky
• Packaging with Scott Wolfe
• E-Commerce with Ariel Gordon Maffei
The six-month mentorship program concludes in September with a final studio critique in which designers share their collections with a formal sales pitch. Mentors and WJA representatives give feedback.
De Beers is also offering incubator designers complimentary access to its Diamond Foundation course.
President of De Beers North America Charles Stanley said, “One of De Beers’ company visions and goals for the future is to accelerate economic inclusion and support diverse voices to help shape the future of our business, communities, and society.
“We are proud to support WJA in the 2022 Jewelry Loupe Project as we are aligned in our core values.”
More information on the project is available online.
Those interested in acting as future mentors or sponsoring the project can contact WJA Membership and Operations Manager Rachel Jurisz at rachel@womensjewelryassociation.com.
Related stories will be right here …
WJA chapter leaders in northern California created the Jewelry Loupe Project in 2019.
It sees new designers and emerging brands partner with industry mentors for individual support, as well as monthly instruction for the entire incubator group from expert contributors who work across the jewelry supply chain.
Past President of WJA’s Northern California Chapter and co-founder of San Francisco jewelry store FiatLux Marie McCarthy said: “I developed the Jewelry Loupe Project to not only assist emerging designers, as most mentorships do, but also to build a strong community of dynamic jewelers aided by a large group of industry veterans.
“From there, most participants actively aid in the program beyond their year, essentially paying it forward and continually fostering a large community network of jewelers.”
Now, De Beers is partnering with WJA to expand the Jewelry Loupe Project across North America, offering it to more designers with an emphasis on those from underserved and underrepresented communities, WJA said, such as BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ designers.
The project commenced this month, with 14 new and emerging designers selected to participate out of more than 100 applicants.
In addition to monthly Zoom meetings with their assigned mentors, designers will hear from experts via virtual sessions.
Topics and experts are as follows.
• Concept and design with Prerna Sethi and Lauren Harwell Godfrey
• Marketing and branding with Temi Adamoleukun and Alexei Angelides
• Wholesale and retail partnerships with Lauren Wolf and Alicia Goodwin
• Sourcing and materials with Jared Holstein and Noelle Habib
• Tradeshows and sales with Morgan Miller and Randi Molofsky
• Packaging with Scott Wolfe
• E-Commerce with Ariel Gordon Maffei
The six-month mentorship program concludes in September with a final studio critique in which designers share their collections with a formal sales pitch. Mentors and WJA representatives give feedback.
De Beers is also offering incubator designers complimentary access to its Diamond Foundation course.
President of De Beers North America Charles Stanley said, “One of De Beers’ company visions and goals for the future is to accelerate economic inclusion and support diverse voices to help shape the future of our business, communities, and society.
“We are proud to support WJA in the 2022 Jewelry Loupe Project as we are aligned in our core values.”
More information on the project is available online.
Those interested in acting as future mentors or sponsoring the project can contact WJA Membership and Operations Manager Rachel Jurisz at rachel@womensjewelryassociation.com.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
