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TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship Winners
Awards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
The six recipients of the scholarship are, from top left, Amelia Zavagnin, Ron White, Kylie Weinzierl and, from bottom left, William Lew, Camille Richard, and Aaron Taylor.
Troy, Mich.—Ahead of its annual event, The Jewelry Symposium (TJA) has announced the six scholarship winners for its 2026 edition, set to take place May 17-19 at the Detroit Marriott Troy hotel.
The awards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler who was recently promoted from an apprenticeship.
The scholarships will cover the symposium registration fee, three nights at the venue, and meals catered by TJS, as well as a book, a thumb drive of all the presentations, and a formal certificate of attendance.
The 2026 TJS scholarship awardees, pictured at the top of the article, are Amelia Zavagnin, Ron White, Kylie Weinzierl, William Lew, Camille Richard, and Aaron Taylor.
Zavagnin, a student at GIA, said, “As a first-generation jeweler, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn and connect with experienced people. Everyone I have met in this industry is supportive and encouraging of passionate students who want to jumpstart their career.”
She added, “The topics of the 2026 Symposium are fascinating and will help build a solid foundation of knowledge going forward.”
White and Weinzierl are students at North Bennett Street School in Boston.
“Such a dream of an opportunity to learn so much industry knowledge and hear from so many amazing minds in one place. Excited to be a part of this and have this core memory!” White said.
Weinzierl added, “As a student passionate about building my skills, and learning as much as possible about the industry, I am incredibly excited to learn about new technology, meet new people, and explore a place that will help me advance my knowledge and career of the jewelry industry!”
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The awards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler who was recently promoted from an apprenticeship.
The scholarships will cover the symposium registration fee, three nights at the venue, and meals catered by TJS, as well as a book, a thumb drive of all the presentations, and a formal certificate of attendance.
The 2026 TJS scholarship awardees, pictured at the top of the article, are Amelia Zavagnin, Ron White, Kylie Weinzierl, William Lew, Camille Richard, and Aaron Taylor.
Zavagnin, a student at GIA, said, “As a first-generation jeweler, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn and connect with experienced people. Everyone I have met in this industry is supportive and encouraging of passionate students who want to jumpstart their career.”
She added, “The topics of the 2026 Symposium are fascinating and will help build a solid foundation of knowledge going forward.”
White and Weinzierl are students at North Bennett Street School in Boston.
“Such a dream of an opportunity to learn so much industry knowledge and hear from so many amazing minds in one place. Excited to be a part of this and have this core memory!” White said.
Weinzierl added, “As a student passionate about building my skills, and learning as much as possible about the industry, I am incredibly excited to learn about new technology, meet new people, and explore a place that will help me advance my knowledge and career of the jewelry industry!”
Lew, a student at Skidmore College in New York, is studying jewelry and metals.
“This scholarship means a great deal to me,” he said. “I care deeply about craftsmanship, and being able to attend TJS and learn from leaders in the field is an opportunity I’m incredibly grateful for.”
Richard, an apprentice to Master Jeweler Ronda Coryell, said she is thrilled to receive a scholarship.
“The opportunity to learn from top professionals and experts in the jewelry industry is a great honor. The variety of topics scheduled will help expand my horizons and expose me to new facets of the industry. I look forward to applying what I learn to my professional work,” she said.
Taylor is a shop lead and jeweler, recently promoted from an apprenticeship, at Skeie’s Jewelers in Oregon.
“It will be a truly invaluable experience to spend time with such pioneers in the industry and learn from fellow jewelers and goldsmiths that have the same passion for pushing the limits of the craft,” he said.
Linus Drogs, chairman of the board at TJS, said the board was “delighted by the passionate interest in TJS and the quality of the scholarship applications this year.”
“Given the concerning attrition of skilled workers in our industry, we could not be happier to welcome these talented students and apprentices. We hope that they will gain new skills and make connections that will launch their careers, just as so many of us TJS attendees have over the years,” he said.
The scholarships were sponsored by GIA, Mano Acero Jewelry, Techform Casting, and Dougherty Charitable Fund.
For more information or event details, visit the TJS website or email Jessa Cast or jessa@thejewelrysymposium.com.
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