Events & AwardsMar 06, 2025
Borsheims’ ‘Ike-It’ Award Goes to JewelerEvents & AwardsMar 10, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Announces 2025 Scholarship Winners
Ahead of its trade show in May, TJS awarded free registration and accommodations to five up-and-coming jewelry industry professionals.
The five recipients of The Jewelry Symposium’s inaugural scholarship are, from top left, Alan Worley, Tivonya Stephenson, and Lucas Shoffner, and, from bottom left, Christopher Liu and Alexa Edwards.
Troy, Mich.— The Jewelry Symposium (TJS), an annual industry event dedicated to the advancement of jewelry manufacturing technology, has awarded five scholarships—two emerging designers, two fine jewelry apprentices, and one young jewelry professional.
The winners, pictured at the top of the article, are Alan Worley, an apprentice and caster at Parlé Gems; emerging designer Tivonya Stephenson; Lucas Shoffner, emerging goldsmith and apprentice at Studio D Jewelers; emerging designer Christopher Liu; and Alexa Edwards, a young jewelry professional and consultant.
TJS, formerly known as the Santa Fe Symposium, will hold its third annual event at the Detroit Marriott Troy in Detroit, Michigan, from May 17-20.
Each winner will receive the symposium registration fee, three nights of lodging at the venue, meals catered by TJS, a book, a thumb drive of all presentations, and a formal certificate of attendance.
“I would like to thank the TJS Board for the opportunity to attend this year’s Symposium. The jewelry industry is still very new to me, so I am looking forward to gaining a greater understanding of its scope and scale and to meet more industry professionals and experts. My hope is that I’ll be able to take what I learn and apply it to the daily process of producing high-quality jewelry pieces,” said Worley.
Stephenson, who is based in Oregon and focuses on ethical sourcing for her jewelry brand, T&L Fine Jewelry, said she has yet to experience the educational resources and community the fair has to offer and is grateful to for the opportunity to learn.
She continued, “I'm passionate about fine jewelry, it's my beloved art form. This opportunity to attend The Jewelry Symposium is exciting for me because it gives me the chance to learn well beyond ‘making pretty things’ into the vast unknown of technologies that will continue to carry this art form forward. I'm looking forward to meeting other people that are interested in the science behind the jewelry and learning from the community!”
Shoffner, a 19-year-old aspiring goldsmith, started in 2021 and shares his work on social media.
"I am more than excited to be given the opportunity to attend this year's TJS show,” he said.
“I can't wait to meet more like-minded people and make some networking connections within the industry. With the support of the scholarship, I am sure that I will be able to expand my network and learn lots of new information to further my career in the field."
Related stories will be right here …
The winners, pictured at the top of the article, are Alan Worley, an apprentice and caster at Parlé Gems; emerging designer Tivonya Stephenson; Lucas Shoffner, emerging goldsmith and apprentice at Studio D Jewelers; emerging designer Christopher Liu; and Alexa Edwards, a young jewelry professional and consultant.
TJS, formerly known as the Santa Fe Symposium, will hold its third annual event at the Detroit Marriott Troy in Detroit, Michigan, from May 17-20.
Each winner will receive the symposium registration fee, three nights of lodging at the venue, meals catered by TJS, a book, a thumb drive of all presentations, and a formal certificate of attendance.
“I would like to thank the TJS Board for the opportunity to attend this year’s Symposium. The jewelry industry is still very new to me, so I am looking forward to gaining a greater understanding of its scope and scale and to meet more industry professionals and experts. My hope is that I’ll be able to take what I learn and apply it to the daily process of producing high-quality jewelry pieces,” said Worley.
Stephenson, who is based in Oregon and focuses on ethical sourcing for her jewelry brand, T&L Fine Jewelry, said she has yet to experience the educational resources and community the fair has to offer and is grateful to for the opportunity to learn.
She continued, “I'm passionate about fine jewelry, it's my beloved art form. This opportunity to attend The Jewelry Symposium is exciting for me because it gives me the chance to learn well beyond ‘making pretty things’ into the vast unknown of technologies that will continue to carry this art form forward. I'm looking forward to meeting other people that are interested in the science behind the jewelry and learning from the community!”
Shoffner, a 19-year-old aspiring goldsmith, started in 2021 and shares his work on social media.
"I am more than excited to be given the opportunity to attend this year's TJS show,” he said.
“I can't wait to meet more like-minded people and make some networking connections within the industry. With the support of the scholarship, I am sure that I will be able to expand my network and learn lots of new information to further my career in the field."
Liu is eager to further his career with the opportunity to attend TJS.
He is a graduate of Kent State’s Jewelry/Metals/Enameling program and in 2019, he received a Saul Bell Design Award—a contest for emerging jewelry designers by jewelry supply company Rio Grande—and he also shares his work online.
"I'm looking forward to exploring the immense range of the jewelry industry, face-to-face with industry professionals, craft experts, and educators. I have no doubt that the collective passion and the generosity that is representative of this scholarship and of the community in attendance will inform the next steps of my career, as the Santa Fe Symposium did for me in 2019," he said.
Edwards, who currently works at David Fairclough Fine Jewelers in Toledo, Ohio, is also looking forward to the event.
She said, “Jewelry has been a passion of mine for years, and I can’t wait to learn from industry experts and connect with others who share that same enthusiasm. This symposium is an invaluable chance to gain new insights, explore different techniques, and take the next step in my journey in the field. I’m excited to be part of such an inspiring community!”
Linus Drogs, Chairman of the board at TJS, said the organization had “a noticeable increase in the number of high-quality scholarship applications” this year.
He added, “Given the attrition of skilled workers happening in our industry, we could not be happier to welcome these talented artisans. We hope that they will gain new skill sets and make connections that will launch their careers, just as so many of us TJS attendees have over the years.”
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
FinancialsJul 30, 2025
Kering's Jewelry Brands Resilient As H1 Sales Slide 16%The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.
WatchesJul 30, 2025
Peek Inside Zadok Jewelers’ New Rolex Showroom in AustinIts opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
SurveysJul 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JulyRespondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
Weekly QuizJul 25, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 30, 2025
Rob Bates to Release Latest Book in His ‘Diamond District Mystery’ Series“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.
EditorsJul 29, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s Design Studio in LASenior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
SourcingJul 29, 2025
Auctim to Offer 7.3M+ Carats of Rough EmeraldsThe online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.
MajorsJul 29, 2025
Alexis Padis Re-Elected AGS Board President She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.
Policies & IssuesJul 28, 2025
U.S.-EU Come to Agreement on Tariffs Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.
CollectionsJul 28, 2025
Nanis Brings a New Palette to ‘Ipanema’A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.
MajorsJul 28, 2025
The 1916 Company Partners with ‘Shark Tank’ Star’s Watch Insurance PlatformThe retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.
IndependentsJul 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin to Open Flagship in Arkansas The jeweler’s largest store yet is set to open in Little Rock next fall.
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementMark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2 While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio CharactersThe “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.
CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern IndiaThe “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
Montreal’s Ecksand Eyes Move to SoHoCreative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
IJO Raises Nearly $37K for LA Fire Relief Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s LondonNext week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.
SourcingJul 22, 2025
Antwerp Diamond Heist Documentary Coming to Netflix“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the HolidaysEmmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.
