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
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
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.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
Weekly QuizJun 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board LeaderIndustry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.
