Events & Awards

JCK Industry Fund Announces 2025 Grant Recipients

Events & AwardsApr 28, 2025

JCK Industry Fund Announces 2025 Grant Recipients

Ten organizations were selected this year.

JCK Industry Fund
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 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

The Latest

The Story of Everything Campaign, Toadstool Mushroom and Cosmic Egg
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’

Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry Sales

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

The Jewelry Book
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry

“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Gemist
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech Platform

The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.

Weekly QuizJun 26, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Jeff Preolo, David Stout, Levi Higgs, David Benavides
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, Promotions

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

Buddha Mama Monstera Ring
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap Ring

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.

Jewelers of America logo with meetup, State of the Majors, giveaway and massages
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Cashier handing Rocksbox bag to customer
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers Downsizes

Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

Penny Ruston
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

Stock image of woman shopping
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

Sorellina Playlist: Electric Dreams Campaign
CollectionsJun 26, 2025
Jam Out With Sorellina’s Jimi Hendrix-Inspired Jewels

The “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.

The Jewelry Symposium event
Events & AwardsJun 26, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Is Looking for Speakers for 2026 Event

The event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.

Exterior of Marissa Collections’ new store in Nantucket, Massachusetts
IndependentsJun 25, 2025
Marissa Collections Opens in Nantucket as Legal Fight Continues

The Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.

Counterfeit Cartier “Juste Un Clou” bracelet
CrimeJun 25, 2025
Customs Nabs Another Big Shipment of Fake Cartier, Van Cleef Jewelry

Agents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.

Karine Choudhrie Big Splash Circus Starfish and Lantern Fish
CollectionsJun 25, 2025
Splash into Karina Choudhrie’s Collection of Underwater Circus Performers

The designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.

Jewelers of America
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
JA Announces Impact Initiative Fund Recipients

The trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.

John Dyer Montana Sun Sapphire
SourcingJun 25, 2025
2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for Entries

The organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.

Khepri Jewels Luna collection fancy color fringe multi-shape drop diamond earrings
EditorsJun 24, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 2

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.

Lori Tucker
IndependentsJun 24, 2025
Colorado Bench Jeweler Celebrates 50 Years With Local Retailer

Lori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.

“Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch for the new The Fantastic Four movie
WatchesJun 24, 2025
Citizen’s New ‘Fantastic Four’ Watch Is Literally Super

The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.

XO Tacori diamond ring
MajorsJun 24, 2025
Tacori, QVC to Launch Exclusive Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry Collection

The “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.

Pritesh Patel
GradingJun 23, 2025
GIA Names New President and CEO

Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.

Graphic for Las Vegas recap episode of “My Next Question”
Recorded WebinarsJun 23, 2025
Watch: Top Trends at Couture, JCK Las Vegas 2025

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.

Luanda Accord
SourcingJun 23, 2025
Diamond Producers, Organizations to Kick in Money to Promote Natural Diamonds

Signatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.

Penny Preville, Maggie Hess, Stella Song, and Benjamin King
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Celebrate 6 Jewelry Designers

The winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.

24th Gem Awards Show Logo
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy