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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
