GIA Has a New Scholarship for High School Students in San Diego
The spring application window closes on March 31.

The application window is open from now until March 31, and students can submit an application through the online portal to be considered for all available scholarships, including the newest, the GIA Aspire Scholarship.
Up to $100,000 will be allocated to the new GIA Aspire Scholarship, which is available to graduating high school seniors or recent alumni from these four San Diego County high schools: Steele Canyon High School, Rancho Buena Vista High School, Alta Vista High School, and Health Sciences High and Middle College.
Recipients of the new award may receive partial or full scholarships, which can be used for any on-campus program at the GIA Carlsbad campus. The program must start between July and December and may range from 7 to 26 instructional weeks.
Details on eligibility, as well as the application itself, can be found on the GIA website.
“Receiving a scholarship let me take more risks after graduating. Since I didn't have a mountain of student debt, I was free to explore all sorts of interesting opportunities” said Chris James T. Boehner, GIA Graduate Gemologist and 2020 scholarship recipient.
“It also helped me fast-track my education, because I no longer needed to save for tuition. I started my GG program two months after receiving my scholarship.”
Merit-based scholarship awards are competitive and based on the achievements of the applicant, said GIA. Needs-based scholarships are available year-round and require applicants to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
“We believe that investing in the education of aspiring professionals is key to the continued growth and success of the gem and jewelry industry,” said Robyn Burrell, GIA director of financial aid.
“By providing opportunities for students to pursue their passion, we aim to create a diverse and skilled workforce that will shape the future of our industry.”
In 2024, GIA is allocating up to $2 million in merit-based, needs-based, and veteran scholarships.
The fall application cycle will take place Sept. 1-30.
The Latest

The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.

Laura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.

The National Jeweler editors revisit the most noteworthy industry happenings and design trends from 2025.

How Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.

Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.


It purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.

The lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.

Roseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.

Chandler got his start at Michelson Jewelers and has served as DCA president and CEO since 2001. He will retire at the end of the month.

The boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.

Sponsored by Digital Monitoring Products

The special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.

The “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.

Berta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.

Sotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.

Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.

Here are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.

The honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.

Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.

Yood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.

The New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.

Set in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.

The jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.

Take luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.

This year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”

In its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.























