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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
Jewelers of Louisiana to Host 80th ConventionThe event, scheduled for next month in New Orleans, will include dinner, a custom jewelry design contest, and education sessions.
SourcingJul 15, 2026
1,305-Carat Diamond Recovered from Mine in BotswanaThe yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.
IndependentsJul 15, 2026
New Jersey Jeweler Barry Berman Dies at 81The founder of Fords Jewelers, Berman is remembered for his love of connecting with his community.
FinancialsJul 15, 2026
Watches of Switzerland’s US Sales Jump 18%, Declines to Comment on Sale Report The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
CollectionsJul 15, 2026
Pomellato’s New High Jewelry Is LiberatingBold color, expressive gem-setting, and sculptural form define the three chapters that make up “Stile Libero.”
IndependentsJul 14, 2026
Foundrae Opens First Standalone Store Outside USThe New York-based jewelry brand has expanded overseas, opening a store in London’s Mayfair district.
ColumnistsJul 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: What Today’s Jewelry Consumer Is Telling Us Rising revenue does not automatically mean a healthy business, particularly in the current economic landscape, Smith writes.
TrendsJul 14, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Shoulder Dusters These long, fluid drop earrings are sure to catch the eye.
CrimeJul 14, 2026
Man Charged in $1M Jewelry Store Heist Lands on FBI Most Wanted ListAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged with robbing a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and is the only one still at large.
Events & AwardsJul 14, 2026
Conference on Mining, Sustainability Kicks Off in NYCInitiatives in Art and Culture is hosting its 16th annual Gold and Diamond Conference, with the theme of “Resilience.”
Lab-GrownJul 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Changes Her Mind on Lab-Grown DiamondsThe designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.
SourcingJul 13, 2026
De Beers Announces Potential Layoffs, 2-Year Production Pause at VenetiaThe diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
Registration Opens for JIS Fall 2026 ShowThe annual trade-only buying event is slated for Oct. 16-19 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026AGTA also has announced the lineup of judges for the colored gemstone cutting and jewelry design contest’s various categories.
TechnologyJul 10, 2026
There’s a New Blind Box for Luxury Watches Collectibles platform Arena Club’s new Time Boxes could contain a Rolex or Patek Philippe watch.
TrendsJul 10, 2026
Jade Trau Creates a Constellation of DiamondsThe “Constellation Plié” collar, our Piece of the Week, features diamonds arranged in a constellation of shining stars.
SourcingJul 10, 2026
CFO of De Beers’ Consumer-Facing Division Leaves Company Shaun Wills joined the company in 2024 and was chief financial officer of the De Beers Brands and Consumer Markets division.
WatchesJul 10, 2026
Brilliant Earth Expands Into WatchesIn honor of its 20th anniversary, the jewelry brand has released a limited-edition collection of Swiss-made timepieces.
