EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
IndependentsJul 11, 2018
WJA Announces 2018 Scholarship and Grant Winners
The Women’s Jewelry Association will award $65,500 total to 45 women in the upcoming year.
Forty-five women will receive a scholarship or grant from the Women’s Jewelry Association in the upcoming year. Four of them are (from left to right): Christina Miller with the $5,000 Carelle-WJA Grant, Lisa West with the $5,000 Female Veteran Scholarship, Magan Byron with the $5,000 Gabriel Love Foundation Scholarship and Julie Martin with the $5,000 Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship.
New York--The Women’s Jewelry Association announced it will award a total of $65,500 in grants and scholarships for the 2018-2019 program year.
The funds have been awarded to 45 women, 12 of whom are students in accredited programs focused on jewelry making and design.
The recipients are as follows.
--The Carelle-WJA Grant Winner ($5,000): Christina Miller
Miller is an independent sustainable jewelry consultant, providing strategy, guidance and impact measurement to help jewelers make lives better around the world. She also is the co-founder and former executive director of Ethical Metalsmiths and served as an assistant professor of jewelry and metalsmithing at Millersville University in Pennsylvania from 2006 to 2010.
--The Female Veteran Scholarship ($5,000): Lisa West, Gemological Institute of America
West is a freelance CAD jewelry designer in San Diego. A disabled veteran of the United States Air Force, she is a graduate of the GIA’s Graduate Jeweler and Jewelry Design and Technology programs. She currently is working with a start-up jewelry company creating 3-D models for their products.
--The Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship ($5,000): Julie Martin, San Diego State University
After earning her BA in Applied Design in Jewelry and Metalsmithing at San Diego State University, Martin began a three-year apprenticeship with a master jeweler in San Diego who now is part of her current team. Then she started a fashion jewelry company and a decade later founded Scout Mandolin, which makes custom one-of-a-kind engagement rings, wedding bands and fine jewelry.
--The Gabriel Love Foundation Scholarship ($5,000): Magan Byron, GIA
Byron earned her BFA in Jewelry and Metalworking from the University of Georgia. She currently is enrolled in Gem Identification at the GIA, the last course needed for her to complete her Graduate Gemologist degree. She lives in Athens, Georgia, where she works as the operations director at T.K. Anderson Designs.
Student scholarships also were awarded to the following.
--The June Herman Designer/Creator Scholarship Award ($7,000): Hsinyu Chu, GIA
--Designer/Creator Scholarship Award ($5,000): Hannah Hash, GIA
--Designer/Creator Scholarship Award ($3,000): Ekaterina Korzh, University of Iowa
--Designer/Creator Scholarship Award ($2,000): Zihan Yang, Savannah College of Art & Design
--The Peggy Kirby Scholarship Award ($5,000): Sidnee Tyree, Kendall College of Art and Design
--Non-Designer Scholarship ($3,000): Jacqueline Lapuck, GIA
--Non-Designer Scholarship ($1,000): Natalie Tjaden, University of Tennessee
--$1,000: Madison Desmond, GIA
--$1,000: Sarah Andrie, GIA
--$1,000: Jodi Webster, University of Kansas
The funds have been awarded to 45 women, 12 of whom are students in accredited programs focused on jewelry making and design.
The recipients are as follows.
--The Carelle-WJA Grant Winner ($5,000): Christina Miller
Miller is an independent sustainable jewelry consultant, providing strategy, guidance and impact measurement to help jewelers make lives better around the world. She also is the co-founder and former executive director of Ethical Metalsmiths and served as an assistant professor of jewelry and metalsmithing at Millersville University in Pennsylvania from 2006 to 2010.
--The Female Veteran Scholarship ($5,000): Lisa West, Gemological Institute of America
West is a freelance CAD jewelry designer in San Diego. A disabled veteran of the United States Air Force, she is a graduate of the GIA’s Graduate Jeweler and Jewelry Design and Technology programs. She currently is working with a start-up jewelry company creating 3-D models for their products.
--The Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship ($5,000): Julie Martin, San Diego State University
After earning her BA in Applied Design in Jewelry and Metalsmithing at San Diego State University, Martin began a three-year apprenticeship with a master jeweler in San Diego who now is part of her current team. Then she started a fashion jewelry company and a decade later founded Scout Mandolin, which makes custom one-of-a-kind engagement rings, wedding bands and fine jewelry.
--The Gabriel Love Foundation Scholarship ($5,000): Magan Byron, GIA
Byron earned her BFA in Jewelry and Metalworking from the University of Georgia. She currently is enrolled in Gem Identification at the GIA, the last course needed for her to complete her Graduate Gemologist degree. She lives in Athens, Georgia, where she works as the operations director at T.K. Anderson Designs.
Student scholarships also were awarded to the following.
--The June Herman Designer/Creator Scholarship Award ($7,000): Hsinyu Chu, GIA
--Designer/Creator Scholarship Award ($5,000): Hannah Hash, GIA
--Designer/Creator Scholarship Award ($3,000): Ekaterina Korzh, University of Iowa
--Designer/Creator Scholarship Award ($2,000): Zihan Yang, Savannah College of Art & Design
--The Peggy Kirby Scholarship Award ($5,000): Sidnee Tyree, Kendall College of Art and Design
--Non-Designer Scholarship ($3,000): Jacqueline Lapuck, GIA
--Non-Designer Scholarship ($1,000): Natalie Tjaden, University of Tennessee
--$1,000: Madison Desmond, GIA
--$1,000: Sarah Andrie, GIA
--$1,000: Jodi Webster, University of Kansas
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Meanwhile, member grants were awarded as follows.
--Austin: Mousumi Shaw
--Boston: Lori Magno, Siran Varadian
--Chicago: Arica DeArcos, Kelly Jacobson, Susanne Siegel, Stephanie Wishnoff
--Colorado: Julia Mancarella
--Dallas: Linda Friedel, Margueriette Hutchison
--Lafayette: Mindi Courville
--Los Angeles: Harvinder Keila, Tania Silpanone
--Northern California: Deborah Durant, Brooke Miller, Rhoma Young
--NY Metro: Maricha Genovese, Deborah Halperin, Delphine Leymarie
--Ohio/Kentucky: Dawn Grady, Andrea Koenig
--Providence: Marilyn Salvatore
--Salt Lake City: Liz Deane
--San Diego: Marreena Appleton, Jennifer DeMoro, Christine Lopez, Peggy Tsiamis
--Seattle: Andrea Price, Danielle Saudino
--Twin Cities: Julie Burkhart-Haid, Laura McDonald
--Charlotte Preston "Gets it Done" Grant: Nancy Hudson
Funds for the scholarships and grants are raised through the annual Awards for Excellence Gala, individual member donations and sponsorships.
“It is important that WJA encourages and continues to support the professional growth and educational endeavors of women in the jewelry and watch industries,” WJA board President Jenny Luker said. “The recipients are all extraordinary and exceptional at what they do. We are excited to see what new opportunities they will bring to our industry.”
More on Independents
The Latest
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
