JA Announces Three Bench Scholarship Winners
The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship provides tuition help to aspiring bench jewelers.

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.
The Latest

Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.

The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.

Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.


The Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.

U.S.-based investment company SMG Capital LLC is the new owner of the luxury brand.

A new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.

The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”

Sapphire’s variety of colors make it the perfect birthstone for September.

The retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.

Niccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.

The three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.

The collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.

The highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.

CEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.

The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.

Sponsored by Clientbook

It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.

President Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.

Former Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.

The jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.

The singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.

Dubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.