JA Now Accepting Applications for New Bench Jeweler Scholarship
The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship will provide tuition assistance to two low-income students.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship is offered by the Holtzmans of Chicago’s C.D. Peacock in partnership with JA in an aim to bring new talent into the bench jeweler profession.
The scholarships are designed to provide tuition assistance to low-income students enrolled in an accredited bench jeweler or metalsmith education program between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of this year.
Applicants must provide proof of enrollment or acceptance in their program.
They must also be 18 years or older and based in the U.S.
All applicants will be required to submit a brief of their program of study, a reason for choosing the program, their professional goals, and images of three of their jewelry pieces.
Awards range from $2,000 to $5,000.
The application window opened May 1 on JA’s website and will close June 12.
The Jewelers of America Scholarship Review Board, which will be comprised of three JA staff members and two JA Board members, will review the applications and select three finalists based on the applicants’ need, essay, and jewelry examples.
The board will also determine scholarship dollar amounts for the finalists.
The three finalists will be sent to the Holtzman Review Committee, who will select the final two candidates.
The committee’s selections will be submitted to JA by July 1 and announced by July 23.
Winners must email their bill(s) to JA, as awards will be sent via check directly to the institution.
The JA Scholarship Program has also opened its application, which can be accessed on the JA website.
The program is designed to help those seeking to further their career development and jewelry education.
Awards can be used for certifications and programs from American Gem Society (AGS), Diamond Council of America (DCA), Gemological Institute of America (GIA), National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA), and the new JA Bench Professional Certification, which was relaunched last year following a reworking of the program.
The program is open to employees of JA member companies who are at least 18 years old and have at least one year of experience working at the member store.
Applicants must not be already enrolled in a home study course by any of the previously mentioned educational providers.
Scholarships are awarded based on the availability of funds through the deadline of Aug. 31.
The Latest

Fourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.

The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.

Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”

Experience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.

The high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.


The jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.

Dunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

The 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.

The “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.

Stores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.

The charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.

The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.

The watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.

This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.

It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.

The trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.

The live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.

Sponsored by Overnight Mountings

The supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.

Blue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.

“Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.

As part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.

Participants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.

The alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.

Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
























