Events & AwardsSep 18, 2024
Couture DAC Opens Applications for Next Class of MenteesEvents & AwardsOct 22, 2024
WJA Foundation Names First Winner of Hedda Schupak Scholarship
Journalist Priya Raj plans to use the scholarship funds to further her media qualifications and amplify marginalized communities.
U.K.-based freelance journalist Priya Raj is the winner of the inaugural Hedda Schupak-Baum Memorial Media and Communications Scholarship from the Women’s Jewelry Association Foundation.
New York—The Women’s Jewelry Association Foundation has announced Priya Raj as the winner of the inaugural Hedda Schupak-Baum Memorial Media and Communications Scholarship.
The scholarship, funded for $25,000 over a five-year period, was created in honor of the late Hedda Schupak, a journalist who dedicated her career to covering the jewelry industry.
Schupak spent 23 years at JCK magazine, working her way up to become editor-in-chief. She later took over as editor of The Centurion newsletter before “semi-retiring” in March 2022.
The scholarship that bears her name aims to support aspiring journalists, media professionals, content creators, and communicators.
Raj, the first winner of the award, is a journalist and content strategist from the United Kingdom.
She currently is a digital content lead at Chelsea Magazines Company and has contributed to multiple fine jewelry and watch publications, including creating content for the BBC, Refinery29, and InStyle.
She has also attended numerous local and global jewelry events.
Raj told National Jeweler via email that she plans to use the scholarship funds to further her media qualifications and aims to amplify marginalized communities in the jewelry and watch industry.
“I am honored and humbled to have received the first Hedda Schupak-Baum Memorial Media and Communications Scholarship,” she said in WJA’s LinkedIn announcement of the scholarship winner last month.
“Receiving this scholarship marks not only a milestone in my career, but also the shifting sands of our industry. I look forward to undertaking the responsibility of amplifying the untold stories of the industry.”
Related stories will be right here …
The scholarship, funded for $25,000 over a five-year period, was created in honor of the late Hedda Schupak, a journalist who dedicated her career to covering the jewelry industry.
Schupak spent 23 years at JCK magazine, working her way up to become editor-in-chief. She later took over as editor of The Centurion newsletter before “semi-retiring” in March 2022.
The scholarship that bears her name aims to support aspiring journalists, media professionals, content creators, and communicators.
Raj, the first winner of the award, is a journalist and content strategist from the United Kingdom.
She currently is a digital content lead at Chelsea Magazines Company and has contributed to multiple fine jewelry and watch publications, including creating content for the BBC, Refinery29, and InStyle.
She has also attended numerous local and global jewelry events.
Raj told National Jeweler via email that she plans to use the scholarship funds to further her media qualifications and aims to amplify marginalized communities in the jewelry and watch industry.
“I am honored and humbled to have received the first Hedda Schupak-Baum Memorial Media and Communications Scholarship,” she said in WJA’s LinkedIn announcement of the scholarship winner last month.
“Receiving this scholarship marks not only a milestone in my career, but also the shifting sands of our industry. I look forward to undertaking the responsibility of amplifying the untold stories of the industry.”
Hedda’s husband Jim Baum said he is “thrilled” that Raj is the first recipient of the Hedda Schupak scholarship.
“Hedda, from her earliest days at JCK, was an advocate for women and how women should play a larger leadership role in the jewelry industry,” Baum said in a release from WJA.
“She understood the influence that responsible journalists could have and did her part to make sure that everyone with a stake in the jewelry business was heard. The [scholarship] helps to ensure that Hedda’s ideals will be passed on to a new generation of jewelry industry influencers.”
A small committee worked together to establish the Hedda Schupak-Baum Memorial Media and Communications Scholarship earlier this year.
It was funded by: Baum, Mitchell and Leslie Horowitz, Howard and Patti Hauben, Elias World Media, JCK, InStore, Cliq Jewelry, Jewelers of America, National Jeweler, FIT Alumni Association, Jewelers Collective, Russell Shor, Bill Boyajian, and Jewelry by Karla Kristine.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New PresidentAlex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat RubyThe ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft RecoveredThe two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More JewelryThe time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic DesignFrom striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid TurnaroundThe jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.
WatchesMar 24, 2025
Sotheby's Now Offers Watch Repair ServicesThe auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.
FinancialsMar 21, 2025
Swarovski Says Its Lab-Grown Diamond Sales Doubled in 2024The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.
