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
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
