Events & AwardsAug 04, 2025
Gem Awards, David Yurman Introduce $50K Grant for Emerging DesignersEvents & AwardsAug 05, 2025
JA Announces Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship Winners
The organization has awarded a total of $42,000 through its scholarship programs this year.
The three winners of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship were awarded a total of $15,000 for tuition at an accredited bench jeweler or metalsmith education program.
New York—Jewelers of America (JA) has announced the three winners of its Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and the recipients of its scholarship programs for 2025.
Now in its second year, the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship supports bringing new talent into the bench jeweler profession.
The three recipients are Baylor Adams, who studies at the New Approach School for Jewelers; Jasmine Barros, who attends North Bennet Street School; and Gabriella Badami, who goes to the Savannah College of Art and Design.
The program awarded a total of $15,000 toward the students’ tuition at an accredited bench jeweler or metalsmith education program.
Recipients were selected by the JA Scholarship Review Board, which consists of staff and members of JA’s Board of Directors, and the Holtzman Review Committee.
After relaunching in 2024, JA and the Holtzman family reported an increase in interest and applicants for the scholarship.
"My mother, Evelyn Holtzman, is again proud to provide three recipients the Seymour and Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship,” said Steven Holtzman, vice chairman of CD Peacock.
“This scholarship reflects our family's commitment to supporting the future of bench jewelers and our industry."
Related stories will be right here …
Now in its second year, the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship supports bringing new talent into the bench jeweler profession.
The three recipients are Baylor Adams, who studies at the New Approach School for Jewelers; Jasmine Barros, who attends North Bennet Street School; and Gabriella Badami, who goes to the Savannah College of Art and Design.
The program awarded a total of $15,000 toward the students’ tuition at an accredited bench jeweler or metalsmith education program.
Recipients were selected by the JA Scholarship Review Board, which consists of staff and members of JA’s Board of Directors, and the Holtzman Review Committee.
After relaunching in 2024, JA and the Holtzman family reported an increase in interest and applicants for the scholarship.
"My mother, Evelyn Holtzman, is again proud to provide three recipients the Seymour and Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship,” said Steven Holtzman, vice chairman of CD Peacock.
“This scholarship reflects our family's commitment to supporting the future of bench jewelers and our industry."
JA has also awarded 23 scholarships as part of the JA Scholarship Program for 2025.
An additional $27,000 was given toward award programs and certifications at educational providers including the American Gem Society, Diamond Council of America, Gemological Institute of America, and National Association of Jewelry Appraisers.
JA scholarships support those seeking industry diplomas, professional development, and certification programs.
Recipients of the scholarships must work at a JA member store and be at least 18 years old.
“Finding qualified and professional bench jewelers is one of the biggest challenges our industry is facing,” said David Bonaparte, president and CEO of JA.
“These scholarship programs give students a leg-up on pursuing bench and other jewelry education and eventually their dreams.”
For more information, visit the JA website or contact JA’s Member Services at 800-223-0673.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
SourcingMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
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.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
SourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing WorkersOwners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.
