Events & AwardsOct 30, 2024
Mejuri to Award $50K in Scholarships to Jewelry Design StudentsEvents & AwardsNov 05, 2024
JA, BIJC Now Accepting EJAP Applications for 2025
The Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program will guide retail jewelry entrepreneurs through an eight-month educational curriculum.
Those interested in applying for the Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program can submit their applications now through Nov. 22.
New York—Jewelers of America and the Black in Jewelry Coalition are now accepting applications for the Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program (EJAP).
The joint program, which began last year, features a series of interactive workshops led by subject matter experts (SMEs) designed to provide new retail jewelry entrepreneurs with guidance on how to build and maintain a successful business in the jewelry industry.
The eight-month program will begin in early 2025 with a cohort of six selected entrepreneurs.
Workshop topics include business strategy and artificial intelligence; product development and jewelry forensics; accounting; marketing and sales; social media; legal issues; lab-grown diamonds; insurance and security; and ethical sourcing and manufacturing.
When the program is complete, the participants will give a presentation on how they will utilize what they have learned in their businesses.
One of the participants will receive a $10,000 grant while the others will be awarded $4,000 each.
After the program, the participants will receive periodic check-in calls, access to quarterly workshops, and invitations to industry events.
“The inaugural Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program was a huge success. The program’s cohort and our SMEs were fully engaged throughout the program, making a positive learning environment to generate real business impact,” said Jewelers of America President and CEO David Bonaparte.
Related stories will be right here …
The joint program, which began last year, features a series of interactive workshops led by subject matter experts (SMEs) designed to provide new retail jewelry entrepreneurs with guidance on how to build and maintain a successful business in the jewelry industry.
The eight-month program will begin in early 2025 with a cohort of six selected entrepreneurs.
Workshop topics include business strategy and artificial intelligence; product development and jewelry forensics; accounting; marketing and sales; social media; legal issues; lab-grown diamonds; insurance and security; and ethical sourcing and manufacturing.
When the program is complete, the participants will give a presentation on how they will utilize what they have learned in their businesses.
One of the participants will receive a $10,000 grant while the others will be awarded $4,000 each.
After the program, the participants will receive periodic check-in calls, access to quarterly workshops, and invitations to industry events.
“The inaugural Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program was a huge success. The program’s cohort and our SMEs were fully engaged throughout the program, making a positive learning environment to generate real business impact,” said Jewelers of America President and CEO David Bonaparte.
Applicants must be a Jewelers of America member who is 18 years or older and resides in the United States.
They must have been in business for a minimum of two to five years, and that business must sell directly to consumers.
The participants’ time commitment is one to five hours per month over the eight-month period.
The deadline to submit applications is Nov. 22. For more information or to apply online, visit the JA website.
SMEs looking to teach a workshop can also apply online.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
SurveysDec 04, 2024
In-Store Shopping Outpaced Online Over the Holiday Weekend, Says NRF A total of 126 million consumers shopped in stores over the five-day period, about 5 million more than last year.
Lab-GrownDec 04, 2024
GJEPC Says Indian Trade Will Use FTC-Approved Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsThe FTC’s Jewelry Guides require “clear and conspicuous” disclosure when advertising lab-grown diamonds.
SourcingDec 04, 2024
Designer Saul Fraiman Retires After 55 YearsThe fine jewelry designer, who came out of retirement in 2017, is putting down his sketchpad for good.
Brought to you by
Protecting Your Sparkle: Why Screening Has Become Essential While no reputable jeweler would knowingly sell lab-grown stones as natural, it's a growing possibility.
AuctionsDec 04, 2024
30-Carat Pink Diamond Fetches $2.6M at BonhamsThe Type IIa, very light pink colored diamond was the highlight of the recent Hong Kong jewelry auction.
Weekly QuizNov 26, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeDec 03, 2024
Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of Florida JewelerJohn Willard Craiger, 83, fatally shot jeweler Ghazi “Gus” Michel Osta following an argument in the store.
ColumnistsDec 03, 2024
Peter Smith: How a Leadership Hire Can Make or Break a CompanyIn his latest column, Smith provides a list of questions every business needs to be asking their next potential leader.
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
SourcingDec 03, 2024
Gemstone Cutter Glenn Lehrer Dies at 71An innovative artist inspired by the natural world, Lehrer is remembered for being a visionary and a shining light.
WatchesDec 03, 2024
Jaeger-LeCoultre and Vacheron Constantin Appoint New CEOsJérôme Lambert returns as CEO of Jaeger-LeCoultre, while Laurent Perves takes the lead role at Vacheron Constantin.
MajorsDec 03, 2024
Neiman Marcus’ ‘Fantasy Gifts’ Sparkle In Pavé This Holiday SeasonThe extravagant gifts in this year’s “A Neiman’s Fantasy” Holiday Book range from a Messika diamond necklace to pavé diamond cowboy boots.
IndependentsDec 02, 2024
Windsor Jewelry Closing After 105 YearsOwners Greg and Lynn Bires are heading into retirement.
GradingDec 02, 2024
Jewelry Appraiser Craig Lynch Dies at 70The industry veteran is remembered for his faith, his dedication to his family, his wealth of knowledge and his generosity in sharing it.
SurveysDec 02, 2024
10-Year Rewind: Comparing 2024 Holiday Shoppers With the Consumers of 2015PricewaterhouseCoopers’ 2024 holiday trends survey took a 10-year look back to see what mattered to consumers then versus now.
Lab-GrownDec 02, 2024
Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry Set Sells for $55K at Charity AuctionMonique Lhuillier and Kay Jewelers collaborated to create the pieces, which were offered at the recent Baby2Baby gala.
Policies & IssuesNov 27, 2024
G7 Announces Botswana as Second Verification ‘Node’ for Rough DiamondsBotswana joins Antwerp as a certification center for rough under the G7 ban on Russian diamonds.
SourcingNov 27, 2024
Gemfields Reports 'Disappointing' High-Quality Emerald Auction ResultsThe miner said its November sale, which earned $16.1 million, felt the effect of competitive pricing by a rival Zambian producer.
CollectionsNov 27, 2024
Piece of the Week: Mignon Faget’s ‘Crescent Starry Night’ Tassel EarringsMignon Faget honors its hometown of New Orleans with a piece inspired by “The Crescent City.”
TechnologyNov 27, 2024
Nivoda Secures Additional Funding The London-based business-to-business diamond and gemstone marketplace just closed on a $51 million round of Series C funding.
SourcingNov 26, 2024
De Beers Stays With ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ for 2024 Holiday Campaign“Forever Present” highlights gifting opportunities for natural diamonds, celebrating familial, friendship, and romantic relationships.
AuctionsNov 26, 2024
Christie’s To Auction Collection of Suzanne Belperron JewelsIt’s one of the most impressive assemblages of the French designer’s pieces ever to come to auction, Christie’s said.
ColumnistsNov 26, 2024
The Smart Lab: 7 Strategies for Refining Your Holiday Email Marketing CampaignsSuccessful email marketing campaigns are all about timing, personalization, and compelling CTAs, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsNov 26, 2024
GIA’s Board of Governors Adds 2 New MembersRetail leader Lisa Bridge and geology professor Dr. Wendy Bohrson joined the organization’s board.
MajorsNov 26, 2024
Ben Bridge Jeweler Unveils This Year’s ‘Benny Bear’ Look out for a black bear wearing a purple Santa hat and its zippered tummy pouch made for holding a holiday gift from Ben Bridge Jeweler.
SourcingNov 25, 2024
William Goldberg Celebrates 2 Major Milestones With New Book“The William Goldberg Way” was released in honor of the company’s 75th anniversary and 25 years of its proprietary Ashoka diamond.
Lab-GrownNov 25, 2024
Lab-Grown Co. Lusix Sold to 2 Companies for $4M Fenix and Dholakia Lab-Grown Diamonds have jointly acquired the Israel-based company, which grows diamonds using solar power.
IndependentsNov 25, 2024
Sophie Bille Brahe Opens First US StoreThe Danish brand has opened an appointment-only location on Madison Avenue in New York City.
