IJO Awards 23 Scholarships at Chicago Conference

Southport, Conn.—The Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO) handed out 23 scholarships at its Chicago conference, held July 13-16.

Eight recipients received full scholarships and 15 received partial scholarships covering at least half of their tuition. 

The scholarship program, new to IJO, is comprised of three award types.

The Bill Roberts Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by IJO Owner and Chairman Jeff Roberts and IJO, offered a total of $5,000 to be awarded for GIA study. It was announced in April.

“In founding IJO more than 50 years ago, my dad [Bill Roberts] always focused on education,” said Roberts. 

“He created the IJO/GIA Title Program – with more stringent requirements than most programs – to ensure IJO members were working smarter than their competition. I created this scholarship to honor his legacy.”

The Richard Swetz Memorial Scholarship was also announced in April. 

The award was created by IJO President Stephen Barnes and his wife Rebecca Barnes in memory of Richard Swetz, former owner of IJO. 

It was originally a $1,000 award, but Richard’s wife Dolores Swetz later added an additional $2,000 on behalf of herself and the Swetz family.

A total of $3,000 was offered to recipients to cover any jewelry-related study.

The Banice & Beverly Bazar Memorial Pearl Scholarship, sponsored by Imperial Pearl, presented $640, covering the full tuition for the GIA Pearls Course. 

It’s IJO’s first scholarship in memory of the Bazars.

Recipients of the Bill Roberts Memorial Scholarship are:
Rachael Theodore of Artful Eye Jewelry Design Center, studying Jewelry Essentials;
Essiah Hudson of Bauble Patch Jewelers, studying Jewelry Essentials;
Taylor Camillo of Cindi’s Diamond & Jewelry Gallery, studying Jewelry Essentials;
Mandy Balkman of Dickinson Jewelers, studying Colored Stone Grading Lab;
Heather Frye of Jerald Jewelers, studying Applied Jewelry Professional;
Elizabeth Weber of Jim Kryshak Jewelers, studying Diamond Essentials;
Kristen Wall of Kelly Waters, studying Applied Jewelry Professional;
Joey Sandler of Leslie E. Sandler Fine Jewelry, studying Pearls;
Diana Landrin of Mar-Bill Diamonds & Jewelry, studying Applied Jewelry Professional;
Sergio Palazzo of Ocean View Jewelers, studying Colored Stone Essentials;
Madison Webster of Peter & Company Jewelers, studying Pearls;
Daniel Garulé of Plaza Jewelers, studying Pearls;
Mahogany Rivera of Scott & Company Fine Jewelers, studying Diamond Essentials;
Kamryn Thompson of Tipton’s Fine Jewelry, studying Diamond Essentials;
and Camryn Dempsey of Whalen Jewelers, Jewelry Essentials.

Recipients of the Richard Swetz Memorial Scholarship are:
Matthew Bryce Maynor of Barnett Jewelers, studying at Stuart’s International;
Beth Greene of Conti Jewelers, studying at Colored Stone Grading Lab;
Tim Bartels of Don’s Jewelry, studying at Laser Welding-Midwest Jewelry Academy;
Taylor Benton of Fort Thomas Jewelers, studying at Stone Setting-New Approach School;
Andrea Venn of Kirk & Company Jewelers, studying at Digital Jewelry Sketching;
Stephen Chapman of Main Street Jewelers, studying at AWCI Watch Certification Courses;
and Elena Davis of Towne Square Jewelers, studying at Colored Stone Grading Lab.

The Banice & Beverly Bazar Memorial Pearl Scholarship was presented to Braeden Bond of K. Bond Jewelers, who is studying Pearls. 

“The talent exhibited by these applicants was so impressive, and we are encouraged by the potential we see for the future of this industry,” said Barnes, the organization’s president.  

“IJO has always been a leader in the jewelry industry, providing an array of programs to help members work smarter to increase sales and profits, as well as a network of non-competing retailers who offer support, ideas, and solutions. I’m excited for all these recipients and have high expectations for what’s in store in the forthcoming years.” 

In the past, IJO provided some annual scholarships through GIA, with members required to apply and be approved through the lab’s website.  

This year is the first time they’ve offered the scholarships themselves. 

“The excitement over this program was truly heartwarming, and it’s the goal of IJO to provide an increased number of educational opportunities to the membership, especially for the NextGen portion [next generation] of the family,” said Roberts, who owns IJO.  

“The number of applicants was close to 50, and we’re proud to have been able to accommodate so many! Those who were not selected this year may apply again for 2025.” 

Also during the organization’s Chicago show, an impromptu auction took place July 14.  

IJO member Travis Piper of Piper Diamond Company in Vincennes, Indiana, acted as auctioneer, raising an additional $5,500 for the 2025 scholarship program.