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

JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.

A buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.

Mercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.

Roseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.

GIA is offering next-day services for natural, colorless diamonds submitted to its labs in New York and Carlsbad.


Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Pandora have launched holiday campaigns depicting their jewelry as symbols of affection and happiness.

The National Retail Federation is bullish on the holidays, forecasting retail sales to exceed $1 trillion this year.

From educational programs, advocacy, and recent MJSA affiliation, Jewelers of America drives progress that elevates businesses of all sizes.

Late collector Eddy Elzas assembled “The Rainbow Collection,” which is offered as a single lot and estimated to fetch up to $3 million.

At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.

The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.

The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.

Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.

All proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.

Courtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.

De Beers also announced more changes in its upper ranks ahead of parent company Anglo American’s pending sale of the company.

Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.

Kindred Lubeck of Artifex has three rings she designed with Anup Jogani in Sotheby’s upcoming Gem Drop sale.

The company focused on marketing in the third quarter and introduced two new charm collections, “Pandora Talisman” and “Pandora Minis.”

The jewelry retailer raised its full-year guidance, with CFO Jeff Kuo describing the company as “very well positioned” for the holidays.

Ahead of the hearing, two industry organizations co-signed an amicus brief urging the court to declare Trump’s tariffs unlawful.

Stuller COO Belit Myers will take on the additional role of president, with all changes effective at the start of 2026.

Smith cautions retailers against expending too much energy on things they can’t control, like the rising price of gold.

Citrine and topaz are birthstones fit for fall as the leaves change color and the holiday season approaches.

The family-owned jeweler will open its fourth store in Florida in late 2027.

The NYPD is looking for three men who stole a safe and jewelry valued at $3.2 million from the home of a jeweler in Jamaica Hills, Queens.

The trade organization also announced its executive committee and five new directors.





















