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.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
EditorsDec 31, 2025
The Top 5 Stories of 2025Articles about crime, engagement rings, and a necklace worn in the World Series generated the most interest among readers.
MajorsDec 30, 2025
Becka Johnson Kibby to Lead Edge Retail AcademyAs part of the leadership transition, Sherry Smith will take on the role of vice president of coaching strategy and development.
SourcingDec 30, 2025
India Chosen as KP Chair for 2026It marks the third time the country has headed the Kimberley Process. Ghana will serve as vice chair.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
WatchesDec 30, 2025
Bulova, Stetson Collab on Watches With Western FlairThe new Bulova x Stetson designs highlight two animals often associated with the American West—the bison and the Texas Longhorn.
Weekly QuizDec 23, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsDec 30, 2025
Rahaminov Diamonds Pops Up in FloridaIts residency at Yamron Jewelers will run through May 2026.
IndependentsDec 29, 2025
In Memoriam: Industry Friends We Lost in 2025From influential executives to innovative designers, we pay tribute to the people we said goodbye to this year.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
MajorsDec 29, 2025
Tanishq Opens New Stores in Florida, VirginiaThe retailer is expanding into areas with large Indian and South Asian populations.
MajorsDec 29, 2025
Nanis Opens First Flagship Store The Italian brand has opened its first flagship amid the peaks of the Dolomites in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy.
SourcingDec 29, 2025
‘Unearthed: Raw Beauty’ Exhibition Opens at LA MuseumThe new curation at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County showcases rare gem and mineral specimens in their uncut, natural state.
CrimeDec 24, 2025
LA Jewelry District Couple Pleads Guilty to Hiding Millions from IRSThe couple pleaded guilty to concealing at least $127 million in cash transactions at its precious metals businesses.
SurveysDec 24, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls Again in DecemberConsumers shared concerns about prices, inflation, tariffs, trade, and politics in the survey’s write-in response section.
AuctionsDec 24, 2025
Bonhams to Open New U.S. Flagship in NYCIn February 2026, the auction house will move its headquarters to the former Steinway Hall, a neoclassical landmark on Billionaires’ Row.
SourcingDec 23, 2025
Mining Titan Brian Gilbertson Dies at 82The former BHP Billiton leader and Gemfields chairman is remembered for his influential leadership throughout his 50-year mining career.
MajorsDec 23, 2025
Kering to Acquire Stake in Raselli Franco GroupThe luxury titan inked a deal to acquire an initial minority stake in the jewelry manufacturer with a pathway to full ownership by 2032.
MajorsDec 23, 2025
For Future Reference Vintage Enters Bloomingdale’sThe company’s curation of unsigned vintage and estate jewelry debuted at the Bloomingdale’s in Costa Mesa, California.
CrimeDec 22, 2025
Customs Seizes Hundreds of Fake Rolex, Cartier WatchesIn the recent multi-shipment seizure, CBP also found counterfeit Audemars Piguet, Moncler, and Chrome Hearts items.
EditorsDec 22, 2025
How Helzberg Is Reimagining Its StoresHelzberg’s Chief Retail Officer Mitch Maggart shared details about its tests of a new store concept rooted in an elevated luxury experience.
Recorded WebinarsDec 22, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: Looking Back on an Eventful Year Jewelers of America execs and National Jeweler editors discuss tariffs, the sky-high gold price, and the engagement that broke the internet.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
EditorsDec 19, 2025
2025 Jewelry Superlatives: A Yearbook-Style Year in Review The National Jeweler editors revisit the most noteworthy industry happenings and design trends from 2025.
AuctionsDec 19, 2025
Jean Schlumberger’s ‘African Cat’ Is Purr-Fection Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
EditorsDec 18, 2025
Terry Chandler Looks Back on 40 Years of Opportunity, Change, and FriendsChandler got his start at Michelson Jewelers and has served as DCA president and CEO since 2001. He will retire at the end of the month.
