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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.
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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.
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