Events & AwardsJul 15, 2024
Halstead Announces 2024 Grant WinnerEvents & AwardsJul 18, 2024
MJSA Education Foundation Announces 3 Scholarship Winners
The winners were awarded $3,000 each to pursue a professional career in jewelry making and design.
Pictured left to right, Tahnee Barbee, Gigi Sui, and Daniela Villacorta are the winners of the 2024 “Future of Jewelry Making” scholarship.
New York—The MJSA Education Foundation, the nonprofit arm of Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America, has announced the winners of its 2024 “Future of Jewelry Making” scholarship.
The scholarship is given by MJSA to students pursuing professional careers in jewelry making and design.
Tahnee Barbee, Gigi Sui, and Daniela Villacorta each won a $3,000 scholarship.
They were chosen based on their course of study, career plans, academics, recommendations, and financial needs.
Tahnee Barbee is attending the Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology (TIJT) in Paris, Texas, for her certificate in jewelry technology, which she expects to earn by the end of 2024.
With her certificate, she plans to work as a bench jeweler while continuing to create her own designs in her home studio.
Barbee started her professional career handling corporate finances for a weekly newspaper. In 2022, she decided to take her part-time jewelry-making hobby and turn it into a full-time job.
Related stories will be right here …
The scholarship is given by MJSA to students pursuing professional careers in jewelry making and design.
Tahnee Barbee, Gigi Sui, and Daniela Villacorta each won a $3,000 scholarship.
They were chosen based on their course of study, career plans, academics, recommendations, and financial needs.
Tahnee Barbee is attending the Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology (TIJT) in Paris, Texas, for her certificate in jewelry technology, which she expects to earn by the end of 2024.
With her certificate, she plans to work as a bench jeweler while continuing to create her own designs in her home studio.
Barbee started her professional career handling corporate finances for a weekly newspaper. In 2022, she decided to take her part-time jewelry-making hobby and turn it into a full-time job.
Gigi Sui is earning her certificate in jewelry making and repair from North Bennet Street School (NBSS) in Boston, Massachusetts.
As Sui is in her second year, she expects to earn her certificate by May 2025.
Once she graduates, she would like to become a bench jeweler and eventually create custom designs.
“I’ve always enjoyed creating arts,” said Sui, who initially planned to pursue a career as a painter but went on to work as a certified nail technician and then a pharmacy technician.
While working full-time, she taught herself basic wire-wrapping skills and decided to pursue a full-time career in jewelry.
Daniela Villacorta is looking to earn her bachelor’s degree in studio design from Kean University in Union, New Jersey, with an expected graduation year of 2026.
She is currently studying metalsmithing part-time at Kean, while working in the office of Mataci Inc., a nearby jewelry manufacturer.
Ultimately, she would like to own her own business, focusing on jewelry that explores cultural motifs and follows sustainable practices.
She comes from a family of jewelry professionals, with her father having worked for Scott Kay and David Yurman, and her grandfather for major jewelry manufacturers in Peru.
Villacorta says she uses tools handed down from her great uncles.
For more information on the Future of Jewelry Making scholarship, visit MJSA’s website.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2 While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio CharactersThe “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
Weekly QuizJul 25, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.
CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern IndiaThe “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
Montreal’s Ecksand Eyes Move to SoHoCreative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
IJO Raises Nearly $37K for LA Fire Relief Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s LondonNext week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.
SourcingJul 22, 2025
Antwerp Diamond Heist Documentary Coming to Netflix“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the HolidaysEmmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2025
NY Now’s Summer Market Returns in AugustThe wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.
MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization OfferingsAs demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go VirtualThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGovGlobally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.
IndependentsJul 17, 2025
Gina Ferranti of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry Dies at 59The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.
