Events & AwardsSep 12, 2024
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2025 Grant ApplicationsEvents & AwardsSep 18, 2024
JA Announces Three Bench Scholarship Winners
The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship provides tuition help to aspiring bench jewelers.
Jewelers of America has named the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship. From left, the recipients are Teresa Wergedal, Leah Walshak, and Amy Condor.
New York—Jewelers of America has announced the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship.
The scholarship aims to encourage new talent to become bench jewelers. It provides tuition help to students enrolled in an accredited bench jeweler or metalsmith education program.
The three recipients are Amy Conder, who studies at the Gemological Institute of America; Leah Walshak, who attends the New Approach School for Jewelers; and Teresa Wergedal, who takes courses at Stuller.
The scholarship is the result of a partnership that began this past year between JA and the Holtzmans of Chicago jeweler C.D. Peacock.
Related stories will be right here …
The scholarship aims to encourage new talent to become bench jewelers. It provides tuition help to students enrolled in an accredited bench jeweler or metalsmith education program.
The three recipients are Amy Conder, who studies at the Gemological Institute of America; Leah Walshak, who attends the New Approach School for Jewelers; and Teresa Wergedal, who takes courses at Stuller.
The scholarship is the result of a partnership that began this past year between JA and the Holtzmans of Chicago jeweler C.D. Peacock.
"My parents, Seymour and Evelyn Holtzman, have always believed that service and bench jewelers are the foundation of the jewelry industry,” said Steven Holtzman, vice chairman of C.D. Peacock.
“By providing this scholarship, we honor my late father's legacy and hope to help launch many brilliant careers."
JA President and CEO David Bonaparte said, “Bench jewelers are a critical part of our jewelry community, and we are passionate about finding ways to encourage talented individuals to enter and positively impact the field. We know the three recipients will continue to flourish.”
The recipients are all employees at a JA member store and are at least 18 years of age.
They have at least one year of experience working in a JA member store and are not already enrolled in another home study course from any of the educational providers.
For more information, visit the JA website or contact JA’s Member Services at 1-800-223-0673.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
ColumnistsSep 19, 2024
Peter Smith: Is That All There Is? Have We Peaked?Smith addresses fears about a plateaued market with a reminder that retailers who do it right always will have room to grow.
MajorsSep 19, 2024
Ira Melnitsky Leaves Tourneau/Bucherer After More Than a Decade The executive, who was president and CEO of Bucherer USA, announced his departure via LinkedIn.
AuctionsSep 19, 2024
Bonhams New York to Sell Jewelry from ‘Distinguished Collection’The single-owner sale features 61 lots, including several Oscar Heyman pieces.
Brought to you by
How to Increase Instagram Followers Naturally in 2024Growing your Instagram following organically is more important than ever in today's technological environment.
CollectionsSep 19, 2024
Jacquie Aiche’s New Campaign Celebrates Self-ExpressionThe brand also launched its “Femme Bohème” collection filled with colorful gemstones representing “Mother Nature’s finest creations.”
Weekly QuizSep 12, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsSep 19, 2024
JVC Names New Assistant CounselLiz Fraccaro, a former legal consultant at the Antiquities Coalition, is the newest member of the JVC team.
TrendsSep 18, 2024
When Selling Jewelry, Don’t Forget the Joy Consumers today are looking for a little escape, and jewelry is the perfect avenue to provide it, presenters at the Vicenzaoro show said.
Brought to you by
Watch: Natural Diamonds: A Great (but Often Untold) Geology StorySupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA.
CollectionsSep 18, 2024
Cece Jewellery Celebrates Love in New CollectionThe “Extraordinary Lovers” collection features engagement rings with enamel scenes inspired by art and mythology.
MajorsSep 18, 2024
Richemont Shuffles Leadership at VhernierThe luxury giant recently completed its acquisition of the Italian jewelry brand.
EditorsSep 17, 2024
8 Award-Winning Looks from the EmmysAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights the best jewelry looks from the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards.
GradingSep 17, 2024
GIA To Include Traceability Info on Some Cultured Pearl ReportsThe lab will include reference numbers on reports for cultured pearls that contain bead nuclei embedded with an RFID tag.
ColumnistsSep 17, 2024
The PR Adviser: The Case for Switching to Shopify Lilian Raji offers advice to a reader frustrated with the current state of their company’s website.
EditorsSep 17, 2024
Q&A: Issa Rae on Her New Jewelry Collection With CastThe actress shared her inspiration for the collection, insight into her personal style, and which jewels President Barbie would wear.
SourcingSep 16, 2024
1,094-Carat Diamond Recovered in Botswana Just Weeks After Historic Find The giant gem originated from Karowe, the same mine that yielded a 2,492-carat rough diamond in late August.
CrimeSep 16, 2024
New Jersey Jeweler Pleads Guilty To Evading CustomsMonishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah admitted to dodging customs duties on more than $13.5 million of jewelry imported into the U.S.
MajorsSep 16, 2024
Boucheron Opens First US Store in New York CityThe new boutique is located on Madison Avenue.
GradingSep 16, 2024
Gübelin Opens Lab in BangkokThe company’s fourth location worldwide will focus on its AI-powered gem document, the Gem Passport.
EditorsSep 13, 2024
Taylor Swift Brings Diamonds, Edgy Jewels to her VMAs LooksThe artist opted for big yellow diamond earrings, a vintage chain, and white metals at the annual MTV awards show.
WatchesSep 13, 2024
Breitling Inks Licensing Deal with the NFL The Swiss watchmaker has created limited-edition timepieces for all 32 National Football League teams.
AuctionsSep 13, 2024
Piece of the Week: Cartier’s ‘Black Alley Cat’ BroochThis carved jasper and yellow-diamond-eyed cat brooch from 1962 is the perfect accessory for Friday the 13th.
FinancialsSep 12, 2024
Signet Jewelers’ Q2 Sales Fall 8% The jewelry giant said it expects to see an uptick in engagements in the second half of the year.
Supplier BulletinSep 12, 2024
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionSponsored by Gemological Institute of America
CollectionsSep 12, 2024
Mignon Faget Enters a New Era With Its ‘Legacy’ CollectionThe brand is celebrating its upcoming 55th anniversary with modern designs that pay tribute to its history.
SourcingSep 12, 2024
AGTA Elects Bruce Bridges as PresidentHe, and other newly elected board members, will begin their terms in February.
Events & AwardsSep 12, 2024
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2025 Grant ApplicationsThose interested can apply online now through Nov. 15.
WatchesSep 11, 2024
These Are the Watches Women Want, Says Chrono24Its “Her-ology” report highlights trends in the women’s luxury watch market, from top brands to movement preferences.
