Events & AwardsNov 22, 2022
Hodinkee to Receive Gem Award for Watch ExcellenceEvents & AwardsDec 05, 2022
WJA Foundation Awards Nearly $60K in Scholarships for 2022-2023
Scholarship winners received awards in six different categories.
New York—The WJA Foundation has announced its scholarship recipients for the 2022-2023 program year.
Funds are raised through individual donations and various events and initiatives held throughout the year, including Giving Tuesday, a global movement that encourages people to give back in any way they can.
This year, the WJA Foundation has awarded $57,500 in scholarship funds.
Winners received awards in six different categories.
The Cindy Edelstein Scholarship was created to honor the late longtime WJA board member Cindy Edelstein and awards a $5,000 scholarship to emerging fine jewelry designers or artisans.
The recipient can pursue jewelry design, metalsmithing, or business courses, as long as they’re focused on improving their artistry and/or their designer jewelry business.
This year’s scholarship has been awarded to Gabrielle Saunders, a student at the Gemological Institute of America.
The Gabriel Love Foundation Scholarship was established and funded by the Gabriel Love Foundation of New York-based fine jewelry brand Gabriel & Co.
The scholarship provides funding for students who want to achieve professional growth within the jewelry industry and who plan to use their careers to improve communities and participate in charitable efforts.
This year’s $5,000 scholarship has been awarded to GIA student Oksana Membreno.
Related stories will be right here …
Funds are raised through individual donations and various events and initiatives held throughout the year, including Giving Tuesday, a global movement that encourages people to give back in any way they can.
This year, the WJA Foundation has awarded $57,500 in scholarship funds.
Winners received awards in six different categories.
The Cindy Edelstein Scholarship was created to honor the late longtime WJA board member Cindy Edelstein and awards a $5,000 scholarship to emerging fine jewelry designers or artisans.
The recipient can pursue jewelry design, metalsmithing, or business courses, as long as they’re focused on improving their artistry and/or their designer jewelry business.
This year’s scholarship has been awarded to Gabrielle Saunders, a student at the Gemological Institute of America.
The Gabriel Love Foundation Scholarship was established and funded by the Gabriel Love Foundation of New York-based fine jewelry brand Gabriel & Co.
The scholarship provides funding for students who want to achieve professional growth within the jewelry industry and who plan to use their careers to improve communities and participate in charitable efforts.
This year’s $5,000 scholarship has been awarded to GIA student Oksana Membreno.
This year’s Designer Category winner is Emma McSallis (Maine College of Art and Design), and the Designer/Creator Category winner is Kindred Lubeck (GIA).
The foundation also launched two new awards this year—the Radiant Minds Technology Scholarship and WJA Diversity Scholarships for GIA Education.
The Radiant Minds Technology Scholarship was created by WJA Foundation, Jewelers Mutual Group, and Black in Jewelry Coalition with the goal of providing women of color the education they need to be successful in tech-related jobs within the jewelry and watch industry.
The recipient receives funding for a training or certification program focused on software engineering, including user-experience design, data analytics, and front and back-end design and web development, at a school of their choice, approved by the scholarship committee.
The inaugural scholarship has been awarded to Brittany Ylanlan, a student studying computer programming and mobile applications development at Tidewater Community College.
The Gemological Institute of America also made a pledge to fund new scholarships for students from underrepresented communities, including BIPOC and LGBTQIA+, who want to take on-campus or online courses through GIA Education.
Recipients can select from various offerings, including GIA’s online Applied Jewelry Professional diploma program, the Diamond Essentials or Diamonds and Diamond Grading courses, or its on-campus Graduate Colored Stones diploma program and Jewelry Design certificate course.
This year, these scholarships were awarded to Cloyette Harris, Koolebogile Veronicah Mosweu, Grace Omwanza, Christina Soto, Ashley Tien, and Rebecca Wagner.
The WJA Foundation also provides various scholarships to students enrolled in jewelry or metalsmithing programs at accredited colleges, universities, or training schools between Aug. 1, 2022, and July 31, 2023.
Donations to the WJA Foundation can be made online.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
Weekly QuizDec 11, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More GemstonesStarting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.
IndependentsDec 11, 2025
Look Inside Day’s Jewelers’ Ninth StoreThe 111-year-old retailer celebrated the opening of its new location in Salem, New Hampshire, which is its third store in the state.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
MajorsDec 11, 2025
Americas Gold Releases New Gold Chain CatalogThe new catalog features its most popular chains as well as new styles.
AuctionsDec 10, 2025
Francis Ford Coppola’s Watch Sells for $10.8MThe filmmaker’s personal F.P. Journe “FFC” prototype was the star of Phillips’ recent record-setting watch auction in New York.
WatchesDec 10, 2025
There’s A New Rolex Boutique in MiamiThe new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.
SurveysDec 10, 2025
Consumer Confidence Drops in November Inflations, tariffs, and politics—including the government shutdown—were among consumers’ top concerns last month.
SourcingDec 10, 2025
NAJA Announces Details for 2026 ‘Ace It’ Winter Conference“Longtime favorite” presenters, as well as first-time speakers, will lead talks and workshops at the annual event in Tucson next year.
AuctionsDec 09, 2025
‘Desert Rose’ Diamond Sells for $8.8M in Abu DhabiThe sale of the 31.68-carat, sunset-hued stone was part of Sotheby’s first series of events and auctions in Abu Dhabi.
ColumnistsDec 09, 2025
Holiday Sales Happen in December, Most Decisions Don’tMost customers who walk into your store this month have made up their minds. Your job is to validate their choice, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
TrendsDec 09, 2025
‘Once Upon a Time,’ Guzema Debuted Its Holiday CollectionThe collection features characters and motifs from Ukrainian folklore, including an enchanted mirror and a magic egg.
TechnologyDec 09, 2025
Gemvision Releases Updated MatrixGoldMatrixGold 3.11, the newest version of the jewelry design program, offers more flexibility, precision, and creative control.
Events & AwardsDec 09, 2025
MJSA Showcase Pavilion Returning to JA New York The pavilion will be part of the 2026 JA New York Spring show, scheduled for March 15 to 17.
MajorsDec 08, 2025
Juell Kadet, a ‘Lifelong Pillar’ of Rogers & Hollands, Dies at 96Kadet, a 1994 National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame inductee, helped grow the family-owned retailer in the Chicago area and beyond.
TechnologyDec 08, 2025
You’ve Heard of Smart Watches and Rings; Meet Smart EarringsBilled as the world’s smallest wearable, Lumia Health’s new smart earrings have a health tracker subtly embedded in the back.
TrendsDec 08, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Celebrating December’s BirthstonesDon’t let those with December birthdays feel blue. Help them celebrate their month with blue zircon, turquoise, and tanzanite.
CollectionsDec 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s ‘Tsar Star’ EarringsThe new pink sapphire version of the piece dances with its wearer in the brand’s “Icons After Dark” holiday campaign.
TrendsDec 05, 2025
Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2026 Is … WhiteA choice that’s generated a lot of commentary, Pantone says “Cloud Dancer” marks a fresh start and encourages relaxation and creativity.
MajorsDec 05, 2025
Stuller Releases ‘Wrapped in Wonder’ CampaignThe manufacturer’s holiday campaign features a gift guide filled with trending designs and jewelry that can be personalized.
CrimeDec 04, 2025
Man Arrested After Allegedly Swallowing Fabergé Egg PendantThe man was charged with theft, accused of ingesting the necklace while in a jewelry store in Auckland, New Zealand.
IndependentsDec 04, 2025
Step Inside JR Dunn Jewelers’ Giant New Store The Florida independent expanded its store from 8,000 to 14,000 square feet, fulfilling the vision of its late co-founder, Jim Dunn.
Supplier BulletinDec 04, 2025
Introducing Shop Natural Day: A New Movement Celebrating Natural DiamondsSponsored by De Beers Group
