Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackEvents & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients
This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
The JCK Industry Fund Committee has awarded more than $330,000 in grants to nine different organizations.
Norwalk, Conn.—The JCK Industry Fund committee has announced the recipients of its 2026 grants.
The committee awarded a total of more than $330,000, which will be divided among nine organizations.
The Black in Jewelry Coalition will use its grant to support diversity among emerging jewelry designers to ensure equitable representation.
It will provide funds to cover designer showcases, travel, lodging, marketing, and the operational costs of participating in trade shows.
The BIJC Education Fund will use the funds for The Future Jewelers Academy, which provides hands-on training, mentorship, and career pathways in jewelry design and manufacturing to students.
The Diamond Council of America will put its funds towards launching the Second Spark Workforce Initiative, which provides subsidized certification, career support, and job placement for 100 veterans and returning parents to address the industry’s workforce shortage.
Diamonds Do Good will use its grant to amplify consumer engagement, promote the positive impact of natural diamonds, and strengthen industry trust through broadcast and digital campaigns, retailer collaborations, and storytelling initiatives.
Gem Legacy will put the funds toward building a water well for sustainable school meal funding and retaining walls for safe infrastructure at its campus in Tanzania, which supports education, nutrition, and vocational training for mining communities.
Related stories will be right here …
The committee awarded a total of more than $330,000, which will be divided among nine organizations.
The Black in Jewelry Coalition will use its grant to support diversity among emerging jewelry designers to ensure equitable representation.
It will provide funds to cover designer showcases, travel, lodging, marketing, and the operational costs of participating in trade shows.
The BIJC Education Fund will use the funds for The Future Jewelers Academy, which provides hands-on training, mentorship, and career pathways in jewelry design and manufacturing to students.
The Diamond Council of America will put its funds towards launching the Second Spark Workforce Initiative, which provides subsidized certification, career support, and job placement for 100 veterans and returning parents to address the industry’s workforce shortage.
Diamonds Do Good will use its grant to amplify consumer engagement, promote the positive impact of natural diamonds, and strengthen industry trust through broadcast and digital campaigns, retailer collaborations, and storytelling initiatives.
Gem Legacy will put the funds toward building a water well for sustainable school meal funding and retaining walls for safe infrastructure at its campus in Tanzania, which supports education, nutrition, and vocational training for mining communities.
The Jewelers’ Security Alliance will use its grant to modernize its national jewelry crime database, integrate it with their mobile app, and enhance analytics, visualization, and real-time crime prevention capabilities.
The Jewelers Vigilance Committee will use the funds to continue providing legal guidance on tariffs and trade.
The Jewelry Edit Foundation will put its funds towards creating a four-part video series titled “Inside the Jewelry Trade Show.”
It will also use the funds for its mentoring program that educates emerging designers—with a focus on designers from underrepresented backgrounds—on navigating trade shows, from preparation to post-show success.
Partners In Health will use its grant to support the final stages of the Maternal Center of Excellence in Sierra Leone, a country whose diamonds shaped the global jewelry industry’s past, and whose people now deserve a future defined by dignity, health, and long-term opportunity, it said.
It will enhance maternal care through workforce training, advanced medical equipment, and expanded patient-centered services.
“We’ve seen firsthand how investing in visionary programs transforms lives and drives industry progress,” said Sarin Bachmann, senior vice president of RX Jewelry Portfolio and chair of the JCK Industry Fund Committee.
“This year’s recipients exemplify the spirit of innovation and dedication, expanding access to education, supporting emerging designers, strengthening our industry’s workforce, and uplifting communities around the globe.”
The recipients were evaluated by a committee of industry leaders based on their ability to align with the JCK Industry Fund’s mission, it said, and their capacity to drive sustainable progress in crucial focus areas.
The fund was started in 1997 and has awarded more than $7 million in grants.
For more information and to donate, visit the JCK Industry Fund website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
SourcingJun 05, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
AGS Honors Late Peter Yantzer, Holds Time Capsule CeremonyThe organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
Neiman Marcus’ Downtown Dallas Store to Close in SeptemberSaks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
