The middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.
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.
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