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

Diamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.

Consumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.

Chicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

Owners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.


A 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.

The “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”

With refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.

The jewelry collection belonged to “one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century,” said the auction house.

The update came as Anglo took its third write-down on the diamond miner and marketer, which lost more than $500 million in 2025.

Emmanuel Raheb discusses the rise of “GEO” and the importance of having well-written, quality content on your website.

Each received around four years for burglarizing a jewelry store and a coffee shop in Simi Valley, California, last May.

Catherine Aulick, a GIA graduate, received the ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.

We asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.

Experts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.

Beth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”

Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.

The Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.

The campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.

Rachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.

After the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.

The industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.

The vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.

Former Flight Club executive Jin Lee will bring his experience from the sneaker world to the pre-owned watch marketplace.

Sakamoto, who died in mid-January following a sudden illness, is remembered for his humility and his masterful, architectural designs.

The April event will feature a new VIP shopping day requiring a special ticket.

Bulgari chose the British-Albanian singer-songwriter for her powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture, the jeweler said.























