Events & AwardsJul 20, 2023
The Nomination Period Is Open for the 2024 Gem Awards Events & AwardsAug 21, 2023
MJSA Education Foundation Awards $10,000 in Scholarships
Three students are recipients of 2023 "Future of Jewelry Making" scholarships.
Pictured left to right, Christopher Liu, Annsley Matthiessen, and Matthew Rongbai Smith have each been awarded MJSA "Future of Jewelry Making” scholarships, given to students dedicated to pursuing a lifelong career in jewelry.
New York— The MJSA Education Foundation, the nonprofit subsidiary of the U.S. trade alliance that supports career and training initiatives, has named three recipients of its annual "Future of Jewelry Making" scholarship.
The awards are given to students working toward lifelong careers in making jewelry.
Christopher Liu, an incoming senior at Texas Tech University School of Art in Lubbock, Texas, received $5,000.
He enjoys exploring designs with “the presence of sculpture” and plans to pursue advanced studies after graduation.
Lui wants to be a teacher and open a studio for artists of various disciplines to collaborate and create. He won an MJSA scholarship in 2020, and his designs gained recognition in Rio Grande’s annual Saul Bell Design Awards in 2019 and 2020.
Annsley Matthiessen, a current student in GIA’s Graduate Gemologist (GG) program at its London campus, received $2,500.
She is expected to receive her diploma at the end of the year. She recently graduated from GIA's Jewelry Design and Technology program. Matthiessen’s goals include becoming a full-time designer and potentially creating her own line.
Matthew Rongbai Smith, a current student in the GIA Graduate Diamond program, also received $2,500.
After graduating, he plans to pursue GIA's Graduate Colored Stone and Graduate Gemologist diplomas. In 2022, Smith graduated from the New Approach School for Bench Jewelers in Tennessee, and he currently helps with repairs and custom work at Crawford Jewelers in Waycross, Georgia.
Smith is also pursuing two bachelor’s degrees, one in business management from South Georgia State College, and a second in psychology from Valdosta State University.
In the future, he wants to open his own jewelry store and, as an orphan who was adopted before moving to the U.S., wants to help other orphans realize their potential.
Since 1997, the MJSA Education Foundation has awarded $260,000 to aspiring jewelers, including $17,500 that has been donated by the Providence Jewelers Club. All funds are managed by the Rhode Island Foundation on behalf of MJSA, the alliance said.
More information about the Future of Jewelry Making scholarships and the 2023 recipients are available on MJSA’s website.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsOct 26, 2026
Bliss Lau’s ‘Vantage’ Point Is the Hawaiian HorizonIn her “Vantage” collection, Lau explores heritage, identity, and inner strength through designs featuring blue-green Guatemalan jade.
MajorsOct 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Takes Consumers Behind the ScenesThe jeweler gave the public backstage tours of its flagship store and its design and innovation workshop as part of LVMH’s open house.
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
