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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a ZooThe pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For NowParent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C. Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
Policies & IssuesApr 02, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on TariffsThe virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.
Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New PresidentAlex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat RubyThe ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft RecoveredThe two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.
