Events & AwardsMar 02, 2023
WJA Honors Helene Fortunoff With New ScholarshipMajorsApr 26, 2023
WJA Announces 2023 Jewelry Loupe Project Participants
Following a record number of applicants, 14 emerging designers were selected for the mentorship program, now in its fifth year.
The 14 designers who will participate in the 2023 Jewelry Loupe Project are (from left to right): Maura Green, Renata Cambauva, Alice Son, Caitlin Velázquez-Fagley, Betsy Yates, Sardwell, Tamsin Rasor, Ava Schlesinger, June Cream, Jennifer Hillyer, Kelly Lannen, Sarah Bernstein, Olivia Sugarman, and Tiffany Bausch Weld.
New York—The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) has announced the new cohort of participants for its nationwide mentorship program, the Jewelry Loupe Project.
WJA selected 14 emerging designers, all within their first five years of business, for a spot in the six-month mentorship program.
The participating designers are Alice Son, Ava Schlesinger, Betsy Yates, Caitlin Velázquez-Fagley, Jennifer Hillyer, June Cream, Kelly Lannen, Maura Green, Olivia Sugarman, Renata Cambauva, Sarah Bernstein, Sardwell, Tamsin Rasor, and Tiffany Bausch Weld.
Over 100 applications were received for this year’s program—a record number for the organization.
“Now in its fifth year, WJA’s Jewelry Loupe Project is a staple program in our community,” said WJA Executive Director Jennifer Markas.
“The level of mentorship, training and networking these emerging designers receive is really unparalleled. We are proud of the designers that commit to the rigorous program, and we are grateful for the mentors and experts who dedicate so much of their time to uplift the next generation of designers and business owners.”
During the April to September program duration, participants will be paired with a mentor to develop marketing strategies and business acumen and launch their first line.
This year’s mentors are comprised of designers, on-air talent, and seasoned industry professionals. They are Angela Monaco, April Higashi, Ariel Gordon, Valerie Madison, Marie McCarthy, Viviana Langhoff, Michele Lau, Victoria Wieck, Morgan Miller, Rekha-Leigh Punch, Tanya Parikh, Jacqueline Raffi, Kate Rogowski, Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos, and Lilly Mullen.
Anna Samsonova of Samsonova Consulting, a special projects consultant to WJA, is helping facilitate the expert sessions and coordinate parts of the program.
The Jewelry Loupe Project is free for participants. Over the course of the program, designers will attend virtual sessions hosted by experts in design, marketing, sourcing, manufacturing, retail, packaging, and pricing.
The program culminates in the fall with critique and constructive feedback from mentors as designers prepare to launch their collections.
To date, WJA has trained and mentored nearly 50 emerging designers, the organization said.
Related stories will be right here …
WJA selected 14 emerging designers, all within their first five years of business, for a spot in the six-month mentorship program.
The participating designers are Alice Son, Ava Schlesinger, Betsy Yates, Caitlin Velázquez-Fagley, Jennifer Hillyer, June Cream, Kelly Lannen, Maura Green, Olivia Sugarman, Renata Cambauva, Sarah Bernstein, Sardwell, Tamsin Rasor, and Tiffany Bausch Weld.
Over 100 applications were received for this year’s program—a record number for the organization.
“Now in its fifth year, WJA’s Jewelry Loupe Project is a staple program in our community,” said WJA Executive Director Jennifer Markas.
“The level of mentorship, training and networking these emerging designers receive is really unparalleled. We are proud of the designers that commit to the rigorous program, and we are grateful for the mentors and experts who dedicate so much of their time to uplift the next generation of designers and business owners.”
During the April to September program duration, participants will be paired with a mentor to develop marketing strategies and business acumen and launch their first line.
This year’s mentors are comprised of designers, on-air talent, and seasoned industry professionals. They are Angela Monaco, April Higashi, Ariel Gordon, Valerie Madison, Marie McCarthy, Viviana Langhoff, Michele Lau, Victoria Wieck, Morgan Miller, Rekha-Leigh Punch, Tanya Parikh, Jacqueline Raffi, Kate Rogowski, Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos, and Lilly Mullen.
Anna Samsonova of Samsonova Consulting, a special projects consultant to WJA, is helping facilitate the expert sessions and coordinate parts of the program.
The Jewelry Loupe Project is free for participants. Over the course of the program, designers will attend virtual sessions hosted by experts in design, marketing, sourcing, manufacturing, retail, packaging, and pricing.
The program culminates in the fall with critique and constructive feedback from mentors as designers prepare to launch their collections.
To date, WJA has trained and mentored nearly 50 emerging designers, the organization said.
The Jewelry Loupe Project was developed in 2019 by former San Francisco WJA chapter leader Marie McCarthy of Fiat Lux. In 2022, global diamond luxury brand De Beers helped WJA expand the program nationwide.
“With [De Beers’] partnership, WJA's Jewelry Loupe Project will be able to offer more opportunities to our designer members, including BIPOC LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and those from diverse backgrounds,” reads the Jewelry Loupe Project website.
Céline Assimon, CEO of De Beers Jewellers and De Beers Forevermark, said the company “deeply values the contributions that women make to our businesses, the diamond and jewelry industry, and all of society.”
She said, “We are committed to accelerating economic inclusion and uplifting diverse voices to help shape the future through various programs which support and provide opportunities for women as part of our ‘Building Forever’ ambitions. We are proud to support WJA’s Jewelry Loupe Project as we are aligned in our core values.”
To learn more, and to support the Jewelry Loupe Project, contact Jennifer Markas, WJA Executive Director, at jennifer@womensjewelryassociation.com.
More on Majors
The Latest
Events & AwardsJun 06, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat EmeraldIt was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.
