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
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
SourcingMar 24, 2026
AGTA Solidifies Tucson Dates For 2027-2029The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, WomenMovado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
TrendsMar 23, 2026
Marco Bicego’s New Campaign Showcases ‘The Art of Craft’After celebrating 25 years in 2025, the campaign marks a new chapter for the jewelry brand with the message that “Identity Creates Value.”
Events & AwardsMar 23, 2026
These Watch Brands Are Heading to Couture This YearCouture and Time to Watches announced the watch brands, from big names to independents, attendees will see at the show.
FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
Events & AwardsMar 19, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach in Las Vegas on May 31.
