Events & AwardsOct 04, 2023
BIJC to Honor Simone I. Smith at Upcoming ‘Rock the Jewels’Events & AwardsOct 10, 2023
JA, BIJC Seeking Retail Jewelry Entrepreneurs for Business Program
The Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program will guide five business owners through an eight-month educational curriculum.
New York—Jewelers of America and the Black in Jewelry Coalition are seeking five emerging business owners to participate in their business incubator.
The organizations announced the Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program (EJAP) last month.
EJAP will guide five business owners who have been in business between two and five years through an eight-month educational program designed to help them succeed in the jewelry industry.
“Running a successful business in the jewelry industry isn’t for the faint of heart,” said BIJC President Annie Doresca.
“We created the EJAP with Jewelers of America to provide tangible business assistance and access to ensure participants can navigate past challenges with greater ease.”
The program consists of a series of interactive workshops, each hosted by a different subject matter expert.
Workshop topics include business strategy; human resources and operations; product development and jewelry forensics; accounting; marketing and sales; legal concerns and strategy; insurance and security; and ethical sourcing and manufacturing.
Related stories will be right here …
The organizations announced the Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program (EJAP) last month.
EJAP will guide five business owners who have been in business between two and five years through an eight-month educational program designed to help them succeed in the jewelry industry.
“Running a successful business in the jewelry industry isn’t for the faint of heart,” said BIJC President Annie Doresca.
“We created the EJAP with Jewelers of America to provide tangible business assistance and access to ensure participants can navigate past challenges with greater ease.”
The program consists of a series of interactive workshops, each hosted by a different subject matter expert.
Workshop topics include business strategy; human resources and operations; product development and jewelry forensics; accounting; marketing and sales; legal concerns and strategy; insurance and security; and ethical sourcing and manufacturing.
When the program is complete, the five participants will give a presentation no longer than seven minutes showcasing how they will utilize what they have learned in their businesses.
One participant will receive a $5,000 grant after the presentation, while the other four will receive $1,250.
Upon completion, the EJAP will continue to support jewelry entrepreneurs through periodic check-in calls, quarterly workshops, and invitations to industry events.
To apply for the EJAP, participants should own a jewelry business that sells directly to consumers, have a business EIN, reside in the United States, be 18 years old or older, and be able to attend all workshops and give a final presentation.
Applications are online and should be completed by Oct. 31.
Industry experts interested in applying to be subject matter experts can also apply online.
“Education access is paramount to success,” noted Jewelers of America President and CEO David Bonaparte.
“Through the EJAP, our goal is to provide high-level content at no-cost and to help talented business owners have longevity in the jewelry industry.”
EJAP is supported by the JCK Industry Fund.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America Aligns New Mission to Create Meaningful Impact for MembersFrom educational programs, advocacy, and recent MJSA affiliation, Jewelers of America drives progress that elevates businesses of all sizes.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
CrimeNov 12, 2025
Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago Victims in Double Homicide JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
GradingNov 12, 2025
It’s Time: GIA’s Express Holiday Service Is Back GIA is offering next-day services for natural, colorless diamonds submitted to its labs in New York and Carlsbad.
MajorsNov 10, 2025
Jewelers Focus on Love, Joy In 2025 Holiday Campaigns Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Pandora have launched holiday campaigns depicting their jewelry as symbols of affection and happiness.
SurveysNov 10, 2025
5 Things Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearThe National Retail Federation is bullish on the holidays, forecasting retail sales to exceed $1 trillion this year.
AuctionsNov 10, 2025
300+ Colored Diamonds Up for Auction at Christie’sLate collector Eddy Elzas assembled “The Rainbow Collection,” which is offered as a single lot and estimated to fetch up to $3 million.
EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food RescueAll proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Cornell’s Jewelers Names New PresidentCourtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
De Beers’ Production, Sales Increase in Q3 De Beers also announced more changes in its upper ranks ahead of parent company Anglo American’s pending sale of the company.
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.
AuctionsNov 05, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Designer Makes Her Auction DebutKindred Lubeck of Artifex has three rings she designed with Anup Jogani in Sotheby’s upcoming Gem Drop sale.
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Pandora Posts Modest Q3 Sales Growth Amid ‘Weak’ Consumer Sentiment The company focused on marketing in the third quarter and introduced two new charm collections, “Pandora Talisman” and “Pandora Minis.”
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Climb 10%The jewelry retailer raised its full-year guidance, with CFO Jeff Kuo describing the company as “very well positioned” for the holidays.
