When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
Enrollment Period Open for 2017 JA Scholarships
Jewelers of America will award $35,000 in scholarships to employees of member stores on a rolling basis through September.

New York--February marks the beginning of the application period for Jewelers of America’s 2017 scholarships.
JA will award 51 scholarships worth $35,000 to employees of member stores on a rolling basis through Sept. 30.
The scholarships will go toward classes at the Gemological Institute of America, the Diamond Council of America, the Jewelers Education Foundation of the American Gem Society and JA’s Bench Professional Certification program.
JA Director of Public Affairs & Education Susan Thea Posnock said: “Scholarships offer JA members the opportunity to enhance the level of professionalism on their staff through some of the top education providers in the industry.
“We believe jewelry education is a key element to our mission of ensuring consumer trust in jewelry.”
To be eligible, applicants must have worked at a JA member store for at least a year or have at least two years of experience in the jewelry industry. They must also be 18 years of age or older.
Additional information and the scholarship application is available on Jewelers.org.
Interested parties can also contact JA’s Member Services at 800-223-0673.
Founded in 1906, Jewelers of America is the national trade association serving fine jewelry businesses, with the goal of improving consumer confidence in the fine jewelry marketplace.
National Jeweler is a for-profit subsidiary of Jewelers of America, though the two organizations act independently of each other.
The Latest

The “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.

The jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.

As gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.

Up for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.


The Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.

The organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

Saks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.

Smith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.

The Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.

The retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.

The price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.

The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.

Sotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.

A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.

From Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.

The show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.

The revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.

The miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.

The “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.

This year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.

The author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.

Three-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.

Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.

These up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.























