Events & AwardsApr 08, 2024
AGS Announces First Recipient of ‘Women in Leadership’ ScholarshipEvents & AwardsMay 06, 2024
Ben Bridge Jeweler Accepting Applications for Lonia Tate Scholarship
It will award a graduating high school student with about $10,000 toward a GIA diploma and an internship with the Seattle-based jeweler.
The scholarship is in honor of Lonia Tate, who was a long-term associate at Ben Bridge Jeweler and the first black president of Executive Women International’s Seattle chapter.
Seattle, W.A.—Seattle-based Ben Bridge Jeweler, a family-run fine watch and jewelry retailer, has opened the application window for its Lonia Tate scholarship.
The recipient of the scholarship will receive financial assistance to earn their graduate gemology diploma from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), winning approximately $10,000 to cover tuition, books, and lab equipment.
They will also receive a three-month paid internship opportunity with Ben Bridge Jeweler upon completion of the program, including potential travel to Seattle, Washington.
Applicants must be graduating high school students with plans to attend GIA’s online graduate gemology program.
To qualify, students must demonstrate financial need and belong to one of the following ethnicities: American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander.
They must reside in Southern California or the Greater Seattle area in Washington and be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. or Canada.
Applicants must also be 18 years or older at the time of enrollment for the GIA program and be available to start classes before September 2024.
Related stories will be right here …
The recipient of the scholarship will receive financial assistance to earn their graduate gemology diploma from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), winning approximately $10,000 to cover tuition, books, and lab equipment.
They will also receive a three-month paid internship opportunity with Ben Bridge Jeweler upon completion of the program, including potential travel to Seattle, Washington.
Applicants must be graduating high school students with plans to attend GIA’s online graduate gemology program.
To qualify, students must demonstrate financial need and belong to one of the following ethnicities: American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander.
They must reside in Southern California or the Greater Seattle area in Washington and be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. or Canada.
Applicants must also be 18 years or older at the time of enrollment for the GIA program and be available to start classes before September 2024.
The scholarship was established in 2022 to support emerging talent in the gemology field.
It is named after Lonia Tate, a long-term associate at Ben Bridge Jeweler and the first black president of Executive Women International’s Seattle chapter, who died in 2020.
The scholarship is specifically for minority high school students who aspire to work in the fine jewelry industry, said the business.
“We are proud to announce the Lonia Tate Scholarship as a tribute to our beloved colleague and her unwavering passion for the jewelry industry and her community,” said Lisa Bridge, president and CEO of Ben Bridge Jeweler.
“This scholarship not only honors Lonia’s legacy but also empowers aspiring gemologists to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact in the industry.”
Ben Bridge Jeweler will work with The Black in Jewelry Coalition to select a scholarship winner.
Interested candidates can submit an application through Ben Bridge Jeweler’s website.
The deadline to apply is May 15.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
MajorsApr 07, 2026
QVC Group’s Latest Filing Calls Its Future Into QuestionThe retailer failed to file its annual report on time and said it may issue a going concern warning.
ColumnistsApr 07, 2026
Peter Smith: A Tip to the Post Office on Workplace CultureSmith recounts a recent trip to the post office that included an uncomfortable, embarrassing, and public exchange between two employees.
GradingApr 07, 2026
GIA CFO David Tearle to Retire in June John Cowley, who has more than 30 years of experience, is succeeding Tearle as the lab’s chief financial officer.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
CollectionsApr 07, 2026
Nerd Out Over Gemology Geek’s First Jewelry CollectionFounder Erica Silverglide has designed 35 colorful pieces set with fluorescing gemstones for the brand's first finished jewelry offering.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 07, 2026
Ukrainian Jewelers Highlighted In New Book“Ukrainian Jewelry | Contemporary Jewelry and Art Jewelry from Ukraine” features 33 contemporary Ukrainian designers and studios.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Fope’s New Jewelry Debuts Are Golden“The Golden Now” campaign celebrates the here and now with the brand’s signature styles and a selection of its new pieces.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsApr 06, 2026
Kecia Caffie, Corinne Bentzen No Longer With Signet JewelersSignet confirmed that Caffie, president of Zales and Banter, and Bentzen, who headed Blue Nile, have left the company.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Historian Tanzy Ward Pens Book on Black Victorians’ JewelryThe antique jewelry dealer talks about the importance of including Black Americans in jewelry history and preserving their stories.
SourcingApr 06, 2026
Gemfields Reports $51M Loss in 2025Both its mines faced challenges last year, from operational issues to disruptions in the market.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
