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
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons HomeThe new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US OpenThe Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary EditionThe three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a WrapWrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.
Weekly QuizAug 22, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry EmpireThree C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 StoresThe retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Pops Up at 2025 US OpenThe pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.
IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes OffThe New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”
CrimeAug 20, 2025
Another CA Jewelry Store Rammed With Car, RobbedThe latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster RestorationThe new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner LucapaThe investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry RetailSmith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ EarringsThe counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally RecognizedThe MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division ManagerCasio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on PointOriginally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
