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
Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
AuctionsMay 15, 2025
'The Mediterranean Blue' Diamond Sells for $21M at Sotheby’sA private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for SummerThe designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.
Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With DisabilitiesAround 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past DecadeAs a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
