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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
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.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
