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Two Participants Complete Inaugural Ella Klein Internship
Jamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho are the first graduates of the program, created by the WJA Foundation and Julius Klein Diamonds.
Interns Jamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho received on-site training at Julius Klein Diamonds in New York City. Botelho (left) is pictured creating layouts, while Dunton (right) is louping a stone.
New York—The two participants in the 2024 Ella Klein Internship program, created earlier this year by the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) Foundation in partnership with Julius Klein Diamonds, have completed their program.
Interns Jamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho trained on-site at Julius Klein Diamonds in New York City, receiving hands-on experience and insights into the diamond trade.
Dunton said the internship helped her apply what she learned at GIA to real life scenarios.
“Interning at [Julius Klein Diamonds] put my book knowledge to use and more,” said Dunton.
“This experience also showed me some differences from the course teachings. There are nuances in the trade that don’t exist in the textbooks, like specific terminology or writing both the shape and cut on the papers.”
Gabriella Botelho said that while she had previously received bench work training, she looked to the internship to provide her with diamond-specific knowledge.
“This internship filled that gap, giving me a comprehensive view of the diamond industry. Interacting with experts gave me a deeper, more practical understanding of the industry, especially regarding quality evaluation and trade practices,” said Botelho.
“It’s an intense, fast-paced program that offers invaluable hands-on experience. I learned far more in real-time at Julius Klein than I could have on my own or in a longer course.”
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Interns Jamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho trained on-site at Julius Klein Diamonds in New York City, receiving hands-on experience and insights into the diamond trade.
Dunton said the internship helped her apply what she learned at GIA to real life scenarios.
“Interning at [Julius Klein Diamonds] put my book knowledge to use and more,” said Dunton.
“This experience also showed me some differences from the course teachings. There are nuances in the trade that don’t exist in the textbooks, like specific terminology or writing both the shape and cut on the papers.”
Gabriella Botelho said that while she had previously received bench work training, she looked to the internship to provide her with diamond-specific knowledge.
“This internship filled that gap, giving me a comprehensive view of the diamond industry. Interacting with experts gave me a deeper, more practical understanding of the industry, especially regarding quality evaluation and trade practices,” said Botelho.
“It’s an intense, fast-paced program that offers invaluable hands-on experience. I learned far more in real-time at Julius Klein than I could have on my own or in a longer course.”
The Ella Klein Internship was designed to help women advance their diamond and jewelry careers by providing hands-on opportunities to learn from established industry and diamond professionals on the topics of diamond evaluation, sales, and industry practices.
"At Julius Klein Diamonds, we are thrilled to offer this internship program to individuals who are passionate about diamonds and committed to pursuing a career in the diamond industry," said Julius Klein Vice President Mark Klein.
"Investing in education and training is essential for success in this field, and we are excited to help interns take their careers to the next level.”
It’s named for Ella, the matriarch of the Julius Klein family, who is remembered for how she led by example. She supported dozens of special causes and organizations, benefiting thousands in their community and beyond, said the company.
“The Ella Klein Internship is a shining example of what can be achieved when industry leaders like Julius Klein Diamonds invest in the next generation of talent,” said Nikia Levesque-Meyer, president of the WJA Foundation.
“Jamie and Gabriella’s experiences reflect our mission to empower women and provide transformative opportunities that propel their careers forward. We are proud to support these incredible women and look forward to seeing their continued contributions to our industry.”
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