SourcingSep 03, 2025
Gemfields Confirms Completion of Fabergé SaleMajorsSep 08, 2025
MJSA Is Officially Now Under JA’s Umbrella
The two organizations have finalized and signed the affiliation agreement announced in May.
Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America is now part of Jewelers of America. The two industry organizations announced their intention to unite via an affiliation agreement in May and, on Monday, said the agreement has been signed.
New York—Jewelers of America and Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA) have finalized and signed their affiliation agreement, the two organizations said Monday.
The completion of the deal, first announced in May, means that MJSA is now officially part of JA, though the organization will continue to have the same mission—connecting jewelry manufacturers, suppliers, and designers with providers of equipment, supplies, and services, and with educational and informational resources.
This includes the MJSA Journal, which will continue to be distributed monthly under the supervision of publisher Rich Youmans.
“Jewelers of America is thrilled to have the MJSA team, MJSA Journal, and the MJSA Foundation under our Jewelers of America umbrella,” JA President and CEO David Bonaparte said.
“By bringing together MJSA members with Jewelers of America members, we will be more united than ever in our efforts to advocate for the jewelry industry’s diverse needs.”
He added that the two organizations already are working to increase member benefits, enhance educational offerings, and streamline efficiencies.
Related stories will be right here …
The completion of the deal, first announced in May, means that MJSA is now officially part of JA, though the organization will continue to have the same mission—connecting jewelry manufacturers, suppliers, and designers with providers of equipment, supplies, and services, and with educational and informational resources.
This includes the MJSA Journal, which will continue to be distributed monthly under the supervision of publisher Rich Youmans.
“Jewelers of America is thrilled to have the MJSA team, MJSA Journal, and the MJSA Foundation under our Jewelers of America umbrella,” JA President and CEO David Bonaparte said.
“By bringing together MJSA members with Jewelers of America members, we will be more united than ever in our efforts to advocate for the jewelry industry’s diverse needs.”
He added that the two organizations already are working to increase member benefits, enhance educational offerings, and streamline efficiencies.
Incorporated in 1903 as an organization for the industry’s manufacturers, suppliers and designers, MJSA was based in Attleboro, Massachusetts, but its office has been closed. All of the organization’s operations have migrated to JA’s headquarters in New York.
MJSA had eight employees, four of whom have become employees of JA.
MJSA’s board of directors has been dissolved. Its board members are now part of an advisory committee to JA’s board of directors.
The MJSA Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 subsidiary of MJSA, will continue to operate with its own board of trustees, and Youmans will remain its executive director.
The foundation supports career and training initiatives for students and workers throughout the jewelry industry.
This includes the MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program, which the U.S. Department of Labor recently designated as a Registered Apprenticeship Program, the first in the jewelry industry.
“Together with JA’s education and certification programs, MJSA and JA are working to create a clear pathway for aspiring jewelers to enter the industry and gain technical and business mastery,” the organizations said.
The affiliation agreement with MJSA marks JA’s third addition in the past decade.
The nonprofit trade organization acquired National Jeweler in 2015 and signed an affiliation agreement with the Diamond Council of America in 2017.
National Jeweler is a for-profit subsidiary of Jewelers of America, which purchased the publication in 2015. The two organizations act independently of each other.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
CrimeFeb 06, 2026
Florida Man Sentenced After Selling Fake Native American Jewelry for a Decade Prosecutors say the man attended arts and craft fairs claiming he was a third-generation jeweler who was a member of the Pueblo tribe.
FinancialsFeb 06, 2026
Pandora’s North America GM Departs Amid Executive ChangesNew CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier shared her priorities for the Danish jewelry company this year as part of its fourth-quarter results.
TrendsFeb 06, 2026
Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi Wear Matching Cece Jewellery Signet RingsOur Piece of the Week picks are these bespoke rings the “Wuthering Heights” stars have been spotted wearing during the film’s press tour.
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.
SourcingFeb 05, 2026
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2026, Anglo Mulls Another WritedownIt would be the third impairment charge in three years on De Beers Group, which continues to grapple with a “challenging” diamond market.
Weekly QuizFeb 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsFeb 05, 2026
Borsheims to Undergo Massive Renovation in the Spring The Omaha jewelry store’s multi-million-dollar renovation is scheduled to begin in mid-May and take about six months.
CollectionsFeb 05, 2026
Marco Bicego’s Amethyst Collection Travels to a Purple ParadiseThe “Paradise Amethyst” collection focuses on amethyst, pink tourmaline, garnet, and 18-karat yellow gold beads.
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.
FinancialsFeb 05, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Reports Strong Holiday Results in Q3The retailer credited its Roberto Coin campaign, in part, for boosting its North America sales.
ColumnistsFeb 04, 2026
January Jewelry Sales: More Dollars Spent, Fewer Units Sold Sherry Smith unpacks independent retailers’ January performance and gives tips for navigating the slow-growth year ahead.
TrendsFeb 04, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: February Birthstone BlissAmethyst, the birthstone for February, is a gemstone to watch this year with its rich purple hue and affordable price point.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
Marco Bicego Names New Global Marketing DirectorThe Italian jewelry company appointed Matteo Cuelli to the newly created role.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
Frederick Goldman Updates Leadership TeamThe manufacturer said the changes are designed to improve speed, reliability, innovation, and service.
Policies & IssuesFeb 03, 2026
Tariff Relief on Horizon for India as Trump, Modi Make DealPresident Trump said he has reached a trade deal with India, which, when made official, will bring relief to the country’s diamond industry.
CollectionsFeb 03, 2026
Jade Trau Releases New Charms, Introduces RondellesThe designer’s latest collection takes inspiration from her classic designs, reimagining the motifs in new forms.
WatchesFeb 03, 2026
Casio America Calls Jersey City HomeThe watchmaker moved its U.S. headquarters to a space it said fosters creativity and forward-thinking solutions in Jersey City, New Jersey.
SourcingFeb 03, 2026
Nivoda Reveals Upgraded Gemstone MarketplaceThe company also announced a new partnership with GemGuide and the pending launch of an education-focused membership program.
GradingFeb 02, 2026
IGI to Acquire American Gemological Laboratories IGI is buying the colored gemstone grading laboratory through IGI USA, and AGL will continue to operate as its own brand.
CrimeFeb 02, 2026
Ylang 23’s Dallas Store BurglarizedThe Texas jeweler said its team is “incredibly resilient” and thanked its community for showing support.
EditorsFeb 02, 2026
Stars Choose Chokers, Elongated Earrings at 2026 GrammysFrom cool-toned metal to ring stacks, Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights the jewelry trends she spotted at the Grammy Awards.
CollectionsFeb 02, 2026
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the fact that the 2026 Olympics are taking place in two different cities.
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.
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.”
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.
