Events & AwardsFeb 13, 2023
Halstead Is Now Accepting Applications for Its 2023 Grant Events & AwardsMar 02, 2023
WJA Honors Helene Fortunoff With New Scholarship
Applications are being accepted now for the $7,500 Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail Scholarship.
Helene Fortunoff, right, with actress and longtime Fortunoff spokesperson Lauren Bacall at the 2006 Gem Awards, where Fortunoff received the Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement.
New York—The Women’s Jewelry Association Foundation’s new scholarship honors late jewelry industry pioneer Helene Fortunoff.
She was a jewelry retail legend, joining her husband Alan Fortunoff’s housewares business and establishing its fine jewelry division in 1957.
Over time, the business grew from one store in Brooklyn, New York, to a network of stores in the New York metro area. Helene became a respected leader in the merchandising and design of fine jewelry.
She died at 88 in November 2021.
The Fortunoff family has pledged $50,000 to the WJA Foundation to fund the Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail Scholarship in her honor. The announcement, made Tuesday, fell on what would have been her 90th birthday.
The $7,500 scholarship will support leaders in retail by providing them with education and management training opportunities.
It will be awarded each year to a retail professional looking to develop their management skills, offering training in talent management, project management, effective communication, collaboration, managing conflict and resolution, and merchandising and marketing.
Applicants must be currently employed full-time in a retail jewelry store and have three to five years of experience in retail sales or management or want to focus on support roles, like marketing and merchandising. Those interested also must either be a WJA member or join upon receiving the scholarship.
Applications, available online, are being accepted now through April 30.
“With this new scholarship, Helene Fortunoff’s spirit of generosity and support for women in our industry will be commemorated and will continue to benefit the next generation of leaders shaping retail’s future,” said WJA Foundation President Gabrielle Grazi.
Related stories will be right here …
She was a jewelry retail legend, joining her husband Alan Fortunoff’s housewares business and establishing its fine jewelry division in 1957.
Over time, the business grew from one store in Brooklyn, New York, to a network of stores in the New York metro area. Helene became a respected leader in the merchandising and design of fine jewelry.
She died at 88 in November 2021.
The Fortunoff family has pledged $50,000 to the WJA Foundation to fund the Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail Scholarship in her honor. The announcement, made Tuesday, fell on what would have been her 90th birthday.
The $7,500 scholarship will support leaders in retail by providing them with education and management training opportunities.
It will be awarded each year to a retail professional looking to develop their management skills, offering training in talent management, project management, effective communication, collaboration, managing conflict and resolution, and merchandising and marketing.
Applicants must be currently employed full-time in a retail jewelry store and have three to five years of experience in retail sales or management or want to focus on support roles, like marketing and merchandising. Those interested also must either be a WJA member or join upon receiving the scholarship.
Applications, available online, are being accepted now through April 30.
“With this new scholarship, Helene Fortunoff’s spirit of generosity and support for women in our industry will be commemorated and will continue to benefit the next generation of leaders shaping retail’s future,” said WJA Foundation President Gabrielle Grazi.
Helene’s daughters, Esther and Ruth Fortunoff, shared how important it is to their family to continue their mother’s legacy.
“Helene was an inspiration and a mentor to so many women throughout her career. She was committed to higher education and always encouraged our team of all female buyers to take classes, read articles and stay on top of changes in the jewelry industry,” they said.
“Jewelry was her passion and she loved her life in retail, traveling the world, and working with other women. Helene was a brilliant leader and would be proud to know her legacy will live on in the next generation of women in retail.”
Helene was a founding member of WJA in 1983, serving as the organization’s president from 1992 to 1995 and leading its fashion group for 15 years. She later received the WJA Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Helene recognized the importance of a community for women in the industry as there were few seats at the table four decades ago for women in the jewelry business,” said the WJA Foundation.
Her numerous achievements include being named chair of the Gemological Institute of America’s board of governors and being the first woman member of the United States Carat Club.
In 1990, she became the first woman inducted into National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame.
She received the honorary appointment as Knight of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy in 1997 in honor of her work with Italian jewelry manufacturers.
In 2001, she was awarded the American Gem Society’s Triple Zero Award. In 2006, she received Jewelers of America’s Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement, presented to her by actress Lauren Bacall, a spokesperson for the Fortunoff brand.
The organization’s partnership with the Fortunoff family comes on the heels of WJA’s 40th anniversary.
“The impact WJA has had on women in the jewelry and watch industry over the past four decades would not be possible without the positive support and commitment of members like Helene Fortunoff who paved the way for women to connect, learn and shine together,” said the WJA Foundation.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
ColumnistsSep 05, 2025
Peter Smith: A Lasting Lesson From Maurice Tempelsman Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
CollectionsSep 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jamie Turner’s ‘Victoria’ Necklace The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.
Policies & IssuesSep 05, 2025
Trump Takes Tariffs Case to the Supreme Court Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
WatchesSep 05, 2025
Patrick Mahomes Is the New Hublot Brand AmbassadorThe Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.
Weekly QuizSep 04, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingSep 04, 2025
Lucara Unveils Unusual 37-Carat Pink DiamondThe Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
WatchesSep 04, 2025
Breitling Takes Its NFL Game to the Next Level Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.
SourcingSep 03, 2025
Gemfields Confirms Completion of Fabergé SaleU.S.-based investment company SMG Capital LLC is the new owner of the luxury brand.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
These Are the Nearly 300 Claire’s Stores Set to CloseA new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
Stuller Releases 2 New Catalogs The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”
TrendsSep 03, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Perfect BirthstoneSapphire’s variety of colors make it the perfect birthstone for September.
FinancialsSep 02, 2025
Lab-Grown Diamonds, Lower-Priced Fashion Jewelry Drive Signet Jewelers’ Q2 SalesThe retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Birks CEO Jean-Christophe Bédos Steps DownNiccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Harry Winston Opens Its Largest Flagship in JapanThe three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.
CollectionsSep 02, 2025
Stephanie Gottlieb Debuts Silver Designs in ‘All Hours’ CollabThe collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales SlumpPresident Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry BuyerFormer Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis StudentsThe jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond CutsThe singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem MineDubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
