Events & AwardsAug 12, 2024
24 Karat Club of Southern California Announces 2024 HonoreesEvents & AwardsAug 15, 2024
Heather Ingraham Awarded WJA Helene Fortunoff Scholarship
Ingraham said she’ll use the scholarship funds to attend the Women’s Leadership Program at the Yale School of Management.
Heather Ingraham, divisional merchandise director for jewelry, bridal and diamonds for The 1916 Company (WatchBox), is the 2024 recipient of the Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail scholarship.
New York—Heather Ingraham, a buyer with over two decades of experience in the industry, is the second recipient of the Women’s Jewelry Association Foundation’s Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail scholarship.
Ingraham, a GIA G.G., spent nearly 19 years at Borsheims, working as a sales associate, assistant diamond buyer, and diamond buyer.
In 2021, she joined Hyde Park Jewelers in Denver as its diamond and bridal buyer.
Since April of this year, she has worked as the divisional merchandise director for jewelry, bridal, and diamonds for WatchBox. WatchBox is part of newly formed The 1916 Company, which also includes Hyde Park Jewelers, as well as Govberg Jewelers and Radcliffe Jewelers.
Ingraham, who announced she had received the scholarship via LinkedIn, said she is honored to be part of Fortunoff’s legacy and grateful to the panel of judges—Esther Fortunoff-Greene, Ruth Fortunoff-Cooper, Gabrielle Grazi, and Danielle Gaudio-Lalehzar—for the award.
Ingraham, a GIA G.G., spent nearly 19 years at Borsheims, working as a sales associate, assistant diamond buyer, and diamond buyer.
In 2021, she joined Hyde Park Jewelers in Denver as its diamond and bridal buyer.
Since April of this year, she has worked as the divisional merchandise director for jewelry, bridal, and diamonds for WatchBox. WatchBox is part of newly formed The 1916 Company, which also includes Hyde Park Jewelers, as well as Govberg Jewelers and Radcliffe Jewelers.
Ingraham, who announced she had received the scholarship via LinkedIn, said she is honored to be part of Fortunoff’s legacy and grateful to the panel of judges—Esther Fortunoff-Greene, Ruth Fortunoff-Cooper, Gabrielle Grazi, and Danielle Gaudio-Lalehzar—for the award.
“I understand that the greatest gift you can give someone is to believe in them,” Ingraham wrote.
“Thank you for believing in me and I intend to make you proud. Education and generosity are key components of my life, and I will use this opportunity to teach others what I have learned.”
She said will use the money to the attend the Women’s Leadership program at the Yale School of Management.
The WJA Foundation, the nonprofit arm of WJA, created the Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail Scholarship in 2023 to honor Fortunoff, an industry legend, trailblazer, and WJA founding member who died in 2021.
The $7,500 scholarship was designed to support leaders in retail by helping them fund education and management training opportunities.
Ashley Kets, store manager at Springer’s Jewelers in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was the award’s inaugural recipient.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsApr 08, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30 Years By Asking a QuestionThe “What’s Your Signature?” campaign invites women to think about how they see themselves.
SourcingApr 08, 2026
Sale of 42-Carat Blue Diamond Gives Petra a Boost in Q3The big diamond’s sale added to the company’s revenue though the market remains “challenging” overall, particularly for smaller goods.
TrendsApr 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: April’s Brilliant Birthstone With their durability, brilliance, and beauty, diamonds are the perfect stone for everyday birthstone jewelry.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
MajorsApr 07, 2026
QVC Group’s Latest Filing Calls Its Future Into QuestionThe retailer failed to file its annual report on time and said it may issue a going concern warning.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsApr 07, 2026
Peter Smith: A Tip to the Post Office on Workplace CultureSmith recounts a recent trip to the post office that included an uncomfortable, embarrassing, and public exchange between two employees.
GradingApr 07, 2026
GIA CFO David Tearle to Retire in June John Cowley, who has more than 30 years of experience, is succeeding Tearle as the lab’s chief financial officer.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
CollectionsApr 07, 2026
Nerd Out Over Gemology Geek’s First Jewelry CollectionFounder Erica Silverglide has designed 35 colorful pieces set with fluorescing gemstones for the brand's first finished jewelry offering.
CollectionsApr 07, 2026
Ukrainian Jewelers Highlighted In New Book“Ukrainian Jewelry | Contemporary Jewelry and Art Jewelry from Ukraine” features 33 contemporary Ukrainian designers and studios.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Fope’s New Jewelry Debuts Are Golden“The Golden Now” campaign celebrates the here and now with the brand’s signature styles and a selection of its new pieces.
MajorsApr 06, 2026
Kecia Caffie, Corinne Bentzen No Longer With Signet JewelersSignet confirmed that Caffie, president of Zales and Banter, and Bentzen, who headed Blue Nile, have left the company.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Historian Tanzy Ward Pens Book on Black Victorians’ JewelryThe antique jewelry dealer talks about the importance of including Black Americans in jewelry history and preserving their stories.
SourcingApr 06, 2026
Gemfields Reports $51M Loss in 2025Both its mines faced challenges last year, from operational issues to disruptions in the market.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
