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
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
Weekly QuizMay 28, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
GradingMay 28, 2026
GCAL By Sarine Launches 8X Cushion CutThe lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
