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

The Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.

Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.

Cahoon was appointed strategic account and educational program manager at Gesswein, which recently joined Continental Buying Group.

A Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.

Tiffany & Co.’s latest ambassador makes her debut in its “Love Is a Gift” holiday campaign.


For her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow highlights bewitching jewels fit for a witch that go from day to unholy night.

Jaythan Gilder was found guilty of robbery and grand theft after stealing and then ingesting nearly $800,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. jewelry.

Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.

Consumer confidence remains on the long-term downward trend that’s persisted over the past few years, said a Conference Board economist.

The holiday campaign includes key jewelry trends, a curated holiday gift guide, and resources to help jewelers prepare for holiday shoppers.

The “Icons” holiday campaign spotlights four classic diamond jewelry styles reimagined in “Desert Diamond” tones.

Solomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.

The fine jewelry brand raised $2.3 million at its annual gala that supports the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.

In her “Vantage” collection, Lau explores heritage, identity, and inner strength through designs featuring blue-green Guatemalan jade.

The jeweler gave the public backstage tours of its flagship store and its design and innovation workshop as part of LVMH’s open house.

The closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.

The ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.

The website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.

Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.

Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.

Bespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.

The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.

The Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.

Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.

The family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.

The De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.

The collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.


























