JCK Industry Fund Now Accepting Applications
Organizations with a project or initiative aimed at bettering the jewelry industry are encouraged to apply.

The fund’s goal is to support the success and growth of the jewelry industry by granting funding to organizations capable of improving the industry.
“We encourage any organization that is looking to make a positive impact in the overall industry to apply,” said Sarin Bachmann, group vice president, RX jewelry portfolio and JCK Industry Fund committee chair.
“By offering grants to a wide range of initiatives and organizations, we can collectively do more to accelerate the growth and health of our industry at large.”
Recipients are chosen based on how their goals mesh with the goals of the fund.
Companies, organizations, and nonprofit associations with a project or initiative that will benefit the jewelry industry through commerce, development, consumer confidence, advancing business practices, or diversity and inclusion are encouraged to apply, said JCK.
The committee that chooses is stacked with jewelry industry leaders, including John Green, president and CEO of Lux Bond & Green; Michael Lerche, president of Goldstar Jewellery LLC; Eddie LeVian, CEO of Le Vian; and Sam Sandberg, chairman of A. Jaffe.
The group will review the applications and select the recipients, who will be notified in early 2023. A formal announcement will follow.
Since its founding in 1997, the fund has awarded more than $7 million toward program grants. JCK has donated $250,000 or more to the fund each year since its inception.
JCK donates a percentage of event registration fees toward the fund. Independent donors also make contributions.
This year, with its in-person show back in full swing, the fund granted nearly $300,000 to recipients, the highest amount awarded in more than five years.
The 2022 grants were awarded to the following organizations: American Jewelry Design Council, Black in Jewelry Coalition, Diamonds Do Good, Gem Legacy, International Colored Gemstone Association, Jewelers of America, Jewelers Security Alliance, Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Mercury Free Mining, MJSA Education Foundation, and Women’s Jewelry Association.
Applications for the 2023 JCK Industry Fund are available online and due by Nov. 18.
Donations to the JCK Industry Fund can also be made online.
The Latest

While the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.

Jack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.

Reena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

The price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.


Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.

The 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

From Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.

The owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.

Jeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.

May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.

The new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.

NDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.

The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.

She wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.

The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.

Led by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.

In his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.

José Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.

It has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.

The owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.

The company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.

The retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.

Of the many examples used in the filming of “Le Mans,” this one is believed to have spent the most time on Steve McQueen’s wrist.

Megan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.

Following decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.























