Policies & IssuesAug 31, 2023
Diamonds Do Good Awards 2023 Scholarships Events & AwardsOct 02, 2023
WJA Foundation Awards First Helene Fortunoff Scholarship
A New Hampshire store manager is the inaugural recipient of the grant for up-and-coming women in retail.
Ashley Kets, Springer’s Jewelers store manager, is the first-ever recipient of the 2023 Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail Scholarship.
New York—The Women’s Jewelry Association Foundation, the nonprofit arm of WJA, has announced Ashley Kets, store manager at Springer’s Jewelers, is the inaugural recipient of the 2023 Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail Scholarship.
Kets got her start in luxury retail at Barney’s New York in Beverly Hills, and soon felt compelled to lean into the management side of retail.
After a cross-country move, Kets began working as the store manager of the family-owned Springer’s Jewelers in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Since taking the position, she has grown her skillset, acquiring an Applied Jewelry Professional Diploma from GIA.
“I am beyond thrilled and humbled to be the recipient of the 2023 Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail Scholarship,” said Kets.
“Hearing about Helene’s strength, trailblazing business savvy and her determination to help future women in the business is doubly meaningful as both a working mother and a retail manager in an often male-dominated field. I am honored to be a part of her lasting legacy and will do my best to embody her tenacity and passion for both jewelry and helping others succeed.”
Kets plans to use the funds to attend NYU’s Leadership Training for High Potentials, a program focused on teaching frameworks to analyze and address important leadership challenges.
The annual $7,500 scholarship, first announced in March, is given in honor of the late Helene Fortunoff, a jewelry industry pioneer and one of WJA’s founding members.
The scholarship, meant to support rising retail leaders by providing them with education and training to enhance their leadership and management skills, is a way for the Fortunoff family to continue their mother’s impactful legacy.
"Ashley embodies many of the qualities that Helene embraced, from her passion for jewelry to her attention to detail in merchandising, quality and customer service,” said Helene’s daughters, Ruth and Esther Fortunoff.
“In addition, Ashley's desire to become a stronger leader at Springer’s and in the jewelry industry as a whole is evident. Helene valued education and promoted women in business. We are proud to continue her legacy and to award the first Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail Scholarship to Ashley Kets.”
The WJA Foundation was created to support WJA's mission of providing educational and business opportunities that allow women to reach their full career potential. Donations to WJA Foundation can be made on its website.
Retailers interested in creating scholarship opportunities in partnership with the WJA Foundation should contact Rachel Jurisz, Membership & Operations Manager at rachel@womensjewelryassociation.com.
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.
