Events & AwardsAug 21, 2023
MJSA Education Foundation Awards $10,000 in Scholarships Events & AwardsAug 24, 2023
WJA Foundation Awards $54K in Scholarships
The organization presented scholarships to nine students across six categories.
Pictured here are the nine WJA Foundation scholarship winners. The organization awarded $54,000 in student scholarships for the 2023-2024 year.
New York—The Women’s Jewelry Association Foundation has awarded $54,000 in scholarships to nine students for the 2023-2024 year.
The funds are awarded to students looking to further their education and advance their careers in the jewelry industry.
Scholarship winners received awards in six categories.
The “Radiant Minds Technology” scholarship was awarded to Jennifer Rosado, a student enrolled in University of California Berkeley’s Coding Boot Camp.
The award was created via a collaboration among the WJA Foundation, Jewelers Mutual Group, and the Black in Jewelry Coalition. The scholarship aims to provide women of color the education they need to be successful in tech-related jobs within the jewelry and watch industry.
The recipient will receive funding for a training or certification program focused on software engineering, including user-experience design, data analytics, and front and back-end design and web development, at a school of their choice, that will then be approved by the scholarship committee.
The WJA Foundation, in partnership with the Gemological Institute of America, awarded diversity scholarships to Gwen Beloti, Nicole Cisneros, Emi Harase, and Tadiwanashe Madzime.
The diversity scholarships are awarded to students from underrepresented communities, including BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals, that are looking to take courses through GIA Education, either on-campus or online.
Recipients can choose from a number of GIA courses, including the Applied Jewelry Professional diploma program and Diamond Essentials and Diamonds and Diamond Grading courses, or its on-campus Graduate Colored Stones diploma program and Jewelry Design certificate course.
Related stories will be right here …
The funds are awarded to students looking to further their education and advance their careers in the jewelry industry.
Scholarship winners received awards in six categories.
The “Radiant Minds Technology” scholarship was awarded to Jennifer Rosado, a student enrolled in University of California Berkeley’s Coding Boot Camp.
The award was created via a collaboration among the WJA Foundation, Jewelers Mutual Group, and the Black in Jewelry Coalition. The scholarship aims to provide women of color the education they need to be successful in tech-related jobs within the jewelry and watch industry.
The recipient will receive funding for a training or certification program focused on software engineering, including user-experience design, data analytics, and front and back-end design and web development, at a school of their choice, that will then be approved by the scholarship committee.
The WJA Foundation, in partnership with the Gemological Institute of America, awarded diversity scholarships to Gwen Beloti, Nicole Cisneros, Emi Harase, and Tadiwanashe Madzime.
The diversity scholarships are awarded to students from underrepresented communities, including BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals, that are looking to take courses through GIA Education, either on-campus or online.
Recipients can choose from a number of GIA courses, including the Applied Jewelry Professional diploma program and Diamond Essentials and Diamonds and Diamond Grading courses, or its on-campus Graduate Colored Stones diploma program and Jewelry Design certificate course.
The Gabriel Love Foundation Scholarship was awarded to GIA student Cydney Elliott.
The $5,000 scholarship was established and funded by the Gabriel Love Foundation of Gabriel & Co. to support the recipient’s professional growth within the jewelry industry. It’s given to a student who wants to use their jewelry industry careers to improve their communities and give back through charitable efforts of their own.
The Cindy Edelstein Scholarship, created in honor of the late Cindy Edelstein, a longtime WJA board member, was awarded to Casey Perez.
The scholarship is presented in memory of Edelstein, known for her advocacy for up-and-coming jewelry designers.
In that same spirit, the $5,000 award is given to emerging fine jewelry designers and “memorializes Edelstein’s tireless pursuit of educating, mentoring, and coaching these entrepreneurs,” said the WJA Foundation.
The recipient can use the scholarship toward jewelry design, metalsmithing, or business courses focused on improving their artistry and jewelry business.
The foundation also awards scholarships to students enrolled in jewelry or metalsmithing programs at accredited colleges, universities, or training schools between Aug. 1 and July 31, 2024.
This year’s “Designer Category” winner is Julia King of the Savannah College of Art and Design.
The “Designer/Creator Category” winner is Betsy Yates of the New Approach School.
Funds for the scholarships are raised through individual donations and fundraising events and initiatives held throughout the year, including WJA’s upcoming 40th Anniversary Ruby Gala Fundraiser taking place on Nov. 2 in New York City.
For more information or to donate, visit the WJA Foundation website.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
