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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CrimeFeb 06, 2026
Florida Man Sentenced After Selling Fake Native American Jewelry for a Decade Prosecutors say the man attended arts and craft fairs claiming he was a third-generation jeweler who was a member of the Pueblo tribe.
FinancialsFeb 06, 2026
Pandora’s North America GM Departs Amid Executive ChangesNew CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier shared her priorities for the Danish jewelry company this year as part of its fourth-quarter results.
TrendsFeb 06, 2026
Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi Wear Matching Cece Jewellery Signet RingsOur Piece of the Week picks are these bespoke rings the “Wuthering Heights” stars have been spotted wearing during the film’s press tour.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
MajorsFeb 05, 2026
Pandora to Begin Selling Platinum-Plated JewelryThe introduction of platinum plating will reduce its reliance on silver amid volatile price swings, said Pandora.
Weekly QuizFeb 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingFeb 05, 2026
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2026, Anglo Mulls Another WritedownIt would be the third impairment charge in three years on De Beers Group, which continues to grapple with a “challenging” diamond market.
IndependentsFeb 05, 2026
Borsheims to Undergo Massive Renovation in the Spring The Omaha jewelry store’s multi-million-dollar renovation is scheduled to begin in mid-May and take about six months.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
CollectionsFeb 05, 2026
Marco Bicego’s Amethyst Collection Travels to a Purple ParadiseThe “Paradise Amethyst” collection focuses on amethyst, pink tourmaline, garnet, and 18-karat yellow gold beads.
FinancialsFeb 05, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Reports Strong Holiday Results in Q3The retailer credited its Roberto Coin campaign, in part, for boosting its North America sales.
ColumnistsFeb 04, 2026
January Jewelry Sales: More Dollars Spent, Fewer Units Sold Sherry Smith unpacks independent retailers’ January performance and gives tips for navigating the slow-growth year ahead.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
What Designers Should Know About Saks Global’s BankruptcyFrom how to get an invoice paid to getting merchandise returned, JVC’s Sara Yood answers some complex questions.
TrendsFeb 04, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: February Birthstone BlissAmethyst, the birthstone for February, is a gemstone to watch this year with its rich purple hue and affordable price point.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
Marco Bicego Names New Global Marketing DirectorThe Italian jewelry company appointed Matteo Cuelli to the newly created role.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
Frederick Goldman Updates Leadership TeamThe manufacturer said the changes are designed to improve speed, reliability, innovation, and service.
Policies & IssuesFeb 03, 2026
Tariff Relief on Horizon for India as Trump, Modi Make DealPresident Trump said he has reached a trade deal with India, which, when made official, will bring relief to the country’s diamond industry.
CollectionsFeb 03, 2026
Jade Trau Releases New Charms, Introduces RondellesThe designer’s latest collection takes inspiration from her classic designs, reimagining the motifs in new forms.
WatchesFeb 03, 2026
Casio America Calls Jersey City HomeThe watchmaker moved its U.S. headquarters to a space it said fosters creativity and forward-thinking solutions in Jersey City, New Jersey.
SourcingFeb 03, 2026
Nivoda Reveals Upgraded Gemstone MarketplaceThe company also announced a new partnership with GemGuide and the pending launch of an education-focused membership program.
GradingFeb 02, 2026
IGI to Acquire American Gemological Laboratories IGI is buying the colored gemstone grading laboratory through IGI USA, and AGL will continue to operate as its own brand.
CrimeFeb 02, 2026
Ylang 23’s Dallas Store BurglarizedThe Texas jeweler said its team is “incredibly resilient” and thanked its community for showing support.
EditorsFeb 02, 2026
Stars Choose Chokers, Elongated Earrings at 2026 GrammysFrom cool-toned metal to ring stacks, Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights the jewelry trends she spotted at the Grammy Awards.
CollectionsFeb 02, 2026
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the fact that the 2026 Olympics are taking place in two different cities.
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
