Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education ScholarshipEvents & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship Program
The company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.
William Goldberg Diamonds has a history of mentoring and apprenticeships. Pictured are Eve Goldberg, Matthew Denatale, Willie Lopez, and Benjamin Goldberg, from the company’s apprenticeship with Denatale in June.
New York— William Goldberg Diamonds has announced its partnership with the Fashion Institute of Technology’s (FIT) jewelry design department on a diamond cutting apprenticeship.
The apprenticeship will give one student from the college the opportunity to hone their skills and develop their art at the William Goldberg workshop in New York City, one of the few diamond cutting workshops remaining in the city.
The student will work alongside master cutter Willie Lopez, who has more than 50 years of experience cutting diamonds with the company.
During the three-to-four-week program slated for January 2026, the student will work one-on-one with Lopez learning how to cut diamonds.
At the end of the apprenticeship, the student will get to keep a diamond.
All applications will go through the jewelry design department at FIT, submitting a required questionnaire followed by interviews with the Goldberg family.
Candidates will be selected based on their passion for the business and willingness to learn a new skill.
Applications are due to FIT by November.
Related stories will be right here …
The apprenticeship will give one student from the college the opportunity to hone their skills and develop their art at the William Goldberg workshop in New York City, one of the few diamond cutting workshops remaining in the city.
The student will work alongside master cutter Willie Lopez, who has more than 50 years of experience cutting diamonds with the company.
During the three-to-four-week program slated for January 2026, the student will work one-on-one with Lopez learning how to cut diamonds.
At the end of the apprenticeship, the student will get to keep a diamond.
All applications will go through the jewelry design department at FIT, submitting a required questionnaire followed by interviews with the Goldberg family.
Candidates will be selected based on their passion for the business and willingness to learn a new skill.
Applications are due to FIT by November.
It is the first apprenticeship program for diamond cutting, according to the company.
“The Goldberg Family considers it essential to encourage the next generation of diamond cutters by extending our expertise,” said Eve Goldberg, creative director and partner at William Goldberg Diamonds.
“We also hope to pass on our undying commitment to natural diamonds. The future of the industry depends on it and the partnership with FIT is the ideal way to accomplish this.”
Previously, the company has held apprenticeships on a case-by-case basis and is now looking to expand the offering.
The company’s founder, William Goldberg, was known for his bold approach to diamond cutting and the creation of the Ashoka cut, highlighted in a recent book about his life.
One student will be chosen for the January 2026 apprenticeship; however, the company is looking to increase this number over time as well as offer a full-time diamond cutting opportunity in the future.
“Since the founding of the Jewelry Design Program at FIT in 1974, this apprenticeship will be the first of its kind, facilitating a direct relationship between the N.Y. diamond cutting community and our students. This remarkable opportunity will introduce our students to a very important, and extremely difficult field to enter,” said Kim Nelson, assistant chair of jewelry design at FIT.
“With the increased interest in unusual diamond cuts and styles, coupled with the advent of more accessible gem material in the form of lab-grown diamonds, I am confident there will be a major resurgence of interest in diamond cutting.”
Michael Coan, adjunct faculty in jewelry design at FIT, added, “The opportunity to study and gain skill sets in diamond cutting was for many years a very private and ‘family related’ industry here it the U.S.; William Goldberg has very graciously opened its doors and offered its diamond cutting expertise to our students, creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience that may lead for some into a full time passion and career. They will learn in three weeks how to release the inherent beauty, sparkle, and flash that only a diamond can produce.”
For more information on William Goldberg Diamonds, visit its website.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Policies & IssuesFeb 24, 2026
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, New 10% Tariff Already ImposedAfter the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Sherry Smith Now Principal Partner at The Retail SmithsThe industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Yafa Signed Jewels to Open Store in MiamiThe vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
WatchesFeb 24, 2026
Chrono24 Names New VP, U.S. General ManagerFormer Flight Club executive Jin Lee will bring his experience from the sneaker world to the pre-owned watch marketplace.
Weekly QuizFeb 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingFeb 23, 2026
Designer Eddie Sakamoto, a Humble Artist, Dies at 72Sakamoto, who died in mid-January following a sudden illness, is remembered for his humility and his masterful, architectural designs.
TrendsFeb 23, 2026
Dua Lipa Is Bulgari’s New AmbassadorBulgari chose the British-Albanian singer-songwriter for her powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture, the jeweler said.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
Policies & IssuesFeb 20, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Against Most of President Trump’s TariffsIn a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
MajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board ChairJVC also announced the election of five new board members.
CollectionsFeb 20, 2026
Boucheron’s ‘Faisceaux’ Brooch Heads to V&A MuseumThe brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
PodcastsFeb 18, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
MajorsFeb 18, 2026
Select Jewelry Inks Agreement to Distribute Lightweight Gold JewelryIt will lead distribution in North America for Graziella Braccialini's new gold pieces, which it said are 50 percent lighter.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
Events & AwardsFeb 18, 2026
DCA to Host Gemstone Selling Education Session at IJO EventThe nonprofit will present a live, two-hour introductory course on building confidence when selling colored gemstones.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
SourcingFeb 17, 2026
Colored Gemstone Experts Talk Tariffs, Trends in TucsonAlthough the market is robust, tariffs and precious metal prices are impacting the industry, Stuart Robertson and Brecken Branstrator said.
GradingFeb 17, 2026
Dr. George Rossman, Former GIA Governor, Dies at 81Rossman, who advised GIA for more than 50 years, is remembered for his passion and dedication to the field of gemology.
CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2026
A ‘Rosebud’ Necklace for Valentine’s DayPaul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.
MajorsFeb 13, 2026
JFC Announces New BeneficiariesThe nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.
MajorsFeb 12, 2026
These 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Stores Are ClosingParent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.
