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
CrimeOct 07, 2025
Men Who Posed as Utility Workers Found Guilty in Jeweler’s MurderCarlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo face life in prison for the October 2024 murder of 72-year-old Detroit-area jeweler Hussein Murray.
CollectionsOct 07, 2025
Jessica McCormack Looks to Sea Spirits for ‘Tempest’ CollectionThe brand’s first high jewelry collection, “Tempest” plays with movement while calling to mind the folklore of the sea.
SourcingOct 07, 2025
Columbia Gem House Announces ‘Opals for Outback Heroes’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will go to a volunteer-run fire and rescue group in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
MajorsOct 07, 2025
Stuller Names Its S.E.R.V.E Stars for 2025Stuller said the recipients embody the company’s core values, which include community participation and personal and professional growth.
Weekly QuizOct 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesOct 06, 2025
This Fall, Citizen’s Forecast Calls for RainCitizen’s new “Rainell” women’s watch has a raindrop-shaped case and is available with a silver-, gold-, purple-, or green-colored dial.
AuctionsOct 06, 2025
The ‘Rolex That Made Rolex’ Heads to Auction at Sotheby’s The “Mercedes Gleitze Rolex Oyster,” named for the British endurance swimmer who made it famous, will go up for sale next month.
GradingOct 06, 2025
GIA India Names Former De Beers Exec as New Managing DirectorAmit Pratihari was previously the managing director of De Beers India and Forevermark India.
SourcingOct 06, 2025
SoCal 24 Karat Club Integrates Into Diamond Club West CoastMembers of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California will gain access to expanded services, resources, and connections, DCWC said.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White MetalsGomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.
GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEODiamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire RingTaylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed SandIts “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.
CrimeOct 02, 2025
$1M in Jewelry Stolen in Northern California Smash and Grab Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.
TrendsOct 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Colorful ShowThe month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-ReflectionSmith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.
EditorsOct 01, 2025
Playing Favorites: The Best Jewelry From VicenzaoroAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco visited Italy to spot jewelry trends at the September Vicenzaoro show and share her top finds.
SurveysOct 01, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits 5-Month Low in September Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.
SourcingOct 01, 2025
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Falls 47%Its latest interim financials revealed a challenging first half due in part to production troubles at its mines.
MajorsSep 30, 2025
Pandora CEO to Retire in 2026, Hand Reins to CMO Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.
CrimeSep 30, 2025
2 Suspects Charged in $300K Sleight-of-Hand Jewelry Store ScamTwo men allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase luxury watches and jewelry from a North Carolina jeweler.
CollectionsSep 30, 2025
Billie Eilish, Finneas Partner with John HardyThe “Lovestruck” collection, designed with the Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings, is the brand’s first lab-grown diamond offering.
IndependentsSep 30, 2025
Spinelli Kilcollin Announces Residency in DallasThe brand, celebrating its 15th anniversary, has popped up at Market, a luxury fashion destination in Highland Park Village.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Nina Pugliese, Longtime Henne Jewelers Employee, Dies at 65She was remembered as a creative and generous woman of faith, who also had a sweet tooth.
TrendsSep 29, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Ear FocusMove over neck mess, the ear story is the way to make a layering statement today.
