Events & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ AwardEvents & AwardsApr 28, 2025
JCK Industry Fund Announces 2025 Grant Recipients
Ten organizations were selected this year.
The JCK Industry Fund Committee has awarded more than $300,000 in grants for 2025.
Norwalk, Conn.—The JCK Industry Fund Committee has announced the recipients of its 2025 grants.
The committee awarded more than $300,000, which will be doled out to ten organizations.
The Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC) will receive funds to continue its emerging designer participation in the 2026 JCK Las Vegas shows and ensure business training to help exhibitors follow up with leads.
BIJC also plans to implement a mentor program to guide designers in post-show follow-ups. The BIJC Collective designers launched at JCK in 2022. Thanks to previous grants, the collective also showcased also in 2023 and 2024, and last year’s award will support the initiative at this year’s show.
Diamonds Do Good (DDG) will use its grant for a multi-channel media campaign to educate consumers on the benefits of purchasing diamonds.
Gem Legacy will use the award to support initiatives such as scholarships and mining toolkits to promote education, economic advancement, and diversity within East African gem-mining communities.
Jewelers of America and the Black in Jewelry Coalition will use its grant to sustain and expand its Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program, a mentorship program that launched in 2023 to foster diversity in the fine jewelry industry and provide retailers with resources for business growth.
The Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA) will put its funds toward developing and testing a new mobile device application with improved security protocols, quality control measures, and design enhancements.
Related stories will be right here …
The committee awarded more than $300,000, which will be doled out to ten organizations.
The Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC) will receive funds to continue its emerging designer participation in the 2026 JCK Las Vegas shows and ensure business training to help exhibitors follow up with leads.
BIJC also plans to implement a mentor program to guide designers in post-show follow-ups. The BIJC Collective designers launched at JCK in 2022. Thanks to previous grants, the collective also showcased also in 2023 and 2024, and last year’s award will support the initiative at this year’s show.
Diamonds Do Good (DDG) will use its grant for a multi-channel media campaign to educate consumers on the benefits of purchasing diamonds.
Gem Legacy will use the award to support initiatives such as scholarships and mining toolkits to promote education, economic advancement, and diversity within East African gem-mining communities.
Jewelers of America and the Black in Jewelry Coalition will use its grant to sustain and expand its Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program, a mentorship program that launched in 2023 to foster diversity in the fine jewelry industry and provide retailers with resources for business growth.
The Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA) will put its funds toward developing and testing a new mobile device application with improved security protocols, quality control measures, and design enhancements.
The Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) said the grant will support educational outreach around the Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides, as well as assist with navigating industry challenges and updating its “Essential Guide to the U.S. Trade in Materials from Plant & Wildlife Products.”
Mercury Free Mining will put funds toward the development and deployment of polymer-based gold extraction kits to aid global artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) communities.
Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA) will use its award within the MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program, which helps with the bench jeweler shortage. The organization plans to upgrade the “Be A Jeweler” website and social media content, as well as create an apprenticeship management system to attract prospective bench jewelers.
Pure Earth will use the award to fund improvements for mercury-free mining in Madre de Dios, Peru, including solar panels, automation, data collection, and educational outreach.
The Jewelry Edit Foundation will use the grant to produce a series of educational videos for emerging and diverse jewelers, focusing on business practices, sustainability, and following through after trade shows to maximize opportunities.
“For over 25 years, we have been committed to fostering growth and positive change in the jewelry community,” said Sarin Bachmann, senior vice president at RX Jewelry Portfolio and chair of the JCK Industry Fund Committee.
“It is critical to invest in projects that promote inclusivity, sustainability, and consumer confidence, ensuring a brighter future for the industry. We are proud to support this year’s recipients as they pave the way for growth and innovation.”
Recipients were selected by a committee of jewelry industry leaders based on their ability to align with the JCK Industry Fund’s mission, said JCK.
Its mission is to support the jewelry industry’s long-term success and growth by providing grant funding to impactful organizations with the vision and programming to drive sustainable improvements across the industry.
The JCK Industry Fund was founded in 1997 and has since awarded more than $7 million toward program grants.
The committee of industry leaders that selected this year’s winners comprised Bachmann; Lisa Bridge, president and CEO of Ben Bridge Jewelry; John Green, president and CEO of Lux Bond & Green; Michael Lerche, president of Goldstar Jewellery LLC; Eddie LeVian, CEO of Le Vian; and Roger Forman, president of Marathon Company.
For more information and to donate, click here.
JCK said attendees can donate while registering for JCK and exhibitors while securing booth space.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Policies & IssuesOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
AuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner AuctionThese jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
CrimeOct 01, 2026
Police Looking for 4 Suspects in $600K Smash-and-Grab RobberyDubai Jewelers in Springfield, Virginia, was once again the target of an armed robbery.
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.
SourcingOct 01, 2026
Columbia Gem House Opens ‘Cutting Toward Change’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will benefit an organization working in India to combat silicosis, a lung disease affecting stone cutters.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes’ Championship Ring Reveals Hidden Hockey Puck PendantThe rings, crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills, celebrate the hockey team’s Stanley Cup win with design elements that honor its traditions.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Color Range This roundup of birthstone jewelry for October features vibrant tourmalines and opals with personality.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Botswana’s President, De Beers CEO Say Diamond Demand Is RecoveringPresident Duma Boko spoke at back-to-back events in the city last week, touting Botswana’s stability and the diamond “bounceback.”
CollectionsSep 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Book Is ‘A Living Archive’ The catalog showcases 112 new, one-of-a-kind pieces amid highlights from the jeweler’s historic archive.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Gemfields Posts $98.5M Loss, Writes Down Value of Ruby MineIts Montepuez Ruby Mining operation in Mozambique, which is not yielding enough high-quality rubies, has taken a $125 million hit.
SurveysSep 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls to 12-Year Low in SeptemberThose surveyed were worried about the present and the future, with write-in responses mentioning high oil and gas prices.
IndependentsSep 29, 2026
Christy Bromberg, Longtime Gift Buyer for Underwood Jewelers, Dies at 68She is remembered for her joie de vivre, upbeat personality, genuine interest in other people, and love of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
Dionne Warwick’s Jewelry Goes Up for AuctionOnline bidding is open now for Julien’s sale of items owned by the “Walk On By” singer, whose final album comes out this fall.
Events & AwardsSep 29, 2026
Matt Stuller to Receive 2027 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementThe founder and executive chairman of Stuller Inc. is being honored for his impact on the jewelry industry at the 25th annual Gem Awards.
ColumnistsSep 29, 2026
Your Holiday Marketing Has a Bridal Blind SpotDecember is the most popular month to propose, and jewelers need to keep that in mind when planning their holiday marketing.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction Wednesday.
