MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
TrendsAug 05, 2020
NYC Jewelry Week Offering Grants to Benefit Black Jewelers
The new funding program come as part of NYCJW’s Here We Are initiative to support diversity in the industry.
New York—New York City Jewelry Week has introduced a new grant program to provide financial support to Black jewelry designers.
The move comes as part of the 2020 edition of NYCJW’s Here We Are platform, an initiative created to support diversity in the jewelry community through awareness, empowerment and education.
Launched last year under NYCJW’s Director of Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Elliot Carlyle, Here We Are holds events including panels, webinars and exhibitions.
This year, it will also include new funding opportunities to further the mission of supporting equitable representation.
The Here We Are grant program will provide a financial award to two Black jewelers in the U.S. who are committed to their craft and seek funding to advance their career or business.
Applications will be available through NYC Jewelry Week’s website starting Aug. 10.
The applicants will be judged on several criteria: individual voice and aesthetic, quality and craftsmanship, drive, financial need, and goals.
A third financial grant recipient has already been named—20-year industry veteran Lorraine West.
The grant will support a solo exhibition for West during New York City Jewelry Week 2020, providing money, a space—physical or virtual—and publicity across all NYCJW channels.
West will launch her fine jewelry collection during the exhibition.
The three HWA grants will be awarded during NYCJW, which is slated for Nov. 16 to 22. This year’s iteration will include virtual and live events.
“We cannot ignore the fact that within the underrepresented designer matrix there is a financial disparity that exists,” Caryle said in a press release.
“The talent is here, the education is here, the passion and drive is here, yet the funding is not. This grant program is a way that we can help to weaken and hopefully remove this systemic disadvantage through financial empowerment.”
Here We Are already included a bi-weekly Instagram Live series hosted by Carlyle through the NYCJW account.
For a second year, NYCJW also will shoot a campaign celebrating the work of a diverse group of artists, designers, jewelers and influences in the jewelry community.
Shot by photographer Stefen Pompée, it’s slated to launch this fall.
Additionally, NYCJW 2020 will also hold a series of curated virtual presentations highlighting the work of several jewelers participating in Here We Are, supported by panels and talks from industry leaders and conversations with the jewelers involved.
“We have worked hard to develop relationships that support the
individual voices of each jeweler within Here We Are, which allows for a clear path of understanding and ultimately direct support for the jewelers from the industry and consumers alike,” said NYCJW Co-Founder JB Jones.
“That’s where the magic is, in the individual jewelry voices present here that have been disregarded for so long, each unique, brilliant and ready to receive the spotlight.”
“That’s where the magic is, in the individual jewelry voices present here that have been disregarded for so long, each unique, brilliant and ready to receive the spotlight.”
More on Trends
The Latest
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
