Events & AwardsApr 04, 2024
Zillion Announces 2024 ‘Women in STEM’ Scholarship WinnerEvents & AwardsApr 05, 2024
BIJC’s Jewelry Education Program for High School Students Begins
“The Future Jewelers Academy” kicked off at the Brooklyn STEAM Center this week.
Frank Fraley, the instructor for BIJC’s new high school education program and a jewelry designer, assisted with developing the program’s curriculum, which focuses on teaching students about design, gem setting, jewelry repair, and more. Fraley is an adjunct associate professor of jewelry design at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
New York—The Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC) kicked off its jewelry-focused education program for high school students at the Brooklyn STEAM Center this week.
“The Future Jewelers Academy” (FJA) will prepare students for careers in jewelry and gemology, cultivating the trade for future generations.
The 2023/2024 program was developed with the assistance of Professor Frank Fraley, a jewelry designer and the FJA instructor. Fraley teaches jewelry design at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
BIJC said the program, which is sponsored exclusively by Jewelers Mutual, is intended to inspire students and open doors for them in the industry by teaching them about jewelry design, gemstone setting, materials, laser repair, and the process of casting and molding.
Guest speakers from various parts of the gem and jewelry industry have been invited to supplement the students’ education.
At the end of the year, a capstone event will be held to display the students’ work and celebrate the completion of their training.
Related stories will be right here …
“The Future Jewelers Academy” (FJA) will prepare students for careers in jewelry and gemology, cultivating the trade for future generations.
The 2023/2024 program was developed with the assistance of Professor Frank Fraley, a jewelry designer and the FJA instructor. Fraley teaches jewelry design at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
BIJC said the program, which is sponsored exclusively by Jewelers Mutual, is intended to inspire students and open doors for them in the industry by teaching them about jewelry design, gemstone setting, materials, laser repair, and the process of casting and molding.
Guest speakers from various parts of the gem and jewelry industry have been invited to supplement the students’ education.
At the end of the year, a capstone event will be held to display the students’ work and celebrate the completion of their training.
Located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn STEAM is a career and technical training hub for 11th and 12th graders.
“The scholars at Brooklyn STEAM affirm why it is so important to invest in the future of the jewelry industry,” said Malyia McNaughton, BIJC chair and founder of Made By Malyia.
“They are very engaged and if you sit in a class like I have with them, you quickly recognize these students are eager to learn and grow. It is truly and honor to witness the next generation of the jewelry industry develop right before my eyes.”
For more information about The Future Jewelers Academy, visit BIJC’s site.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of CoverageLilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
TrendsAug 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: August’s Bright BaublesAs summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.
Weekly QuizJul 31, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in QueensMoshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.
MajorsAug 04, 2025
Borsheims Welcomes New Assistant Facilities ManagerXavier Dibbrell brings more than a decade of experience to the role.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award WinnersJewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
IndependentsJul 31, 2025
Matthew Tratner Takes Over as CBG President Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
FinancialsJul 30, 2025
Kering's Jewelry Brands Resilient As H1 Sales Slide 16%The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.
WatchesJul 30, 2025
Peek Inside Zadok Jewelers’ New Rolex Showroom in AustinIts opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.
SurveysJul 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JulyRespondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
SourcingJul 30, 2025
Rob Bates to Release Latest Book in His ‘Diamond District Mystery’ Series“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.
EditorsJul 29, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s Design Studio in LASenior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2025
Melee The Show Welcomes 15 New DesignersThe first-time exhibitors, set to debut at the New York City show, share a devotion to craftsmanship, storytelling, and material integrity.
SourcingJul 29, 2025
Auctim to Offer 7.3M+ Carats of Rough EmeraldsThe online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.
MajorsJul 29, 2025
Alexis Padis Re-Elected AGS Board President She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.
Policies & IssuesJul 28, 2025
U.S.-EU Come to Agreement on Tariffs Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.
CollectionsJul 28, 2025
Nanis Brings a New Palette to ‘Ipanema’A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.
MajorsJul 28, 2025
The 1916 Company Partners with ‘Shark Tank’ Star’s Watch Insurance PlatformThe retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.
