The “Les Pétales” collection imagines roses caught mid-bloom as a tribute to nature’s beauty.
WJA Announces 2016 Female Veteran Grant Winner
It has been awarded to Tara Hutchinson of Tara Hutch Fine Jewelry in San Antonio, Texas, who served a 10-year tour in the U.S. Army as a military police officer.

New York--The Women’s Jewelry Association has awarded its 2016 Female Veteran Grant to Tara Hutchinson of Tara Hutch Fine Jewelry in San Antonio, Texas.
Hutchinson, who grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, served a 10-year tour in the U.S. Army as a military police officer, retiring as a sergeant first class.
While she was deployed to Iraq in 2006, an explosive device severed her right leg, causing significant blood loss that led to severe limb movement disorder, third-degree burns, permanent back injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Hutchinson started making jewelry after an occupational therapist suggested trying a hobby that might help her gain control in her hands once again.
When she first began, she could barely string a large wooden bead onto a leather cord.
“Nonetheless, I’ve never been one to give up, and a stubborn need to succeed demanded I keep moving until I mastered this task,” Hutchinson said. “This achievement ignited a spark for jewelry creation, and practically in a frenzy, I began teaching myself everything I could about the craft. I gradually built a library of materials and techniques, and eventually my garage turned into a fully furnished jeweler’s studio. I began practicing all day, every day, and shockingly, within a year, my movement disorder had almost vanished.”
These days, she uses such techniques as forging, soldering, stone setting, chasing, fusing and patinas to make her jewelry.
Hutchinson specializes in two finger rings, open-top rings and jewelry that incorporates organic shapes. She also creates jewelry that caters to women with swollen knuckles or who have difficulty opening and closing clasps.
She sells her jewelry through her website and social media, as well as at local and national juried shows.
The WJA’s merit-based Female Veteran Grant, offered in partnership with Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co., goes to a deserving military veteran to use towards her profession growth in the jewelry and/or watch industries.
It was established last year to lend support to women veterans who continue to serve their communities through their work in jewelry. Jenifer Bellefleur, who worked as an explosive ordnance disposal technician in the U.S. Army, was the recipient of the first grant.
Hutchinson said she plans to use the grant to create custom packaging and displays. As she expands her jewelry into the wholesale business, her other goals are to open a new climate-controlled location with more space where she could teach, and, in
Another of her goals is to use part of her jewelry sales to give back to charities that help survivors. Her aim, she said, is to help women with similar issues become independent and self-reliant.
The WJA raises money for its various grants and scholarships in a number of ways, including through its annual Awards for Excellence.
This year’s awards are scheduled to take place Monday at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Awards will be given across 10 categories, including design, retail, editorial media and watches.
Two honorees will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards: Sissy Jones of Sissy’s Log Cabin and Peter Engel, president of Fred Meyer Jewelers. Ben Bridge Jeweler will be awarded the WJA Corporate Award.
More information, including how to purchase tickets and sponsorship opportunities, is available on WJA’s website.
The Latest

Luxury brands charge thousands for their shoes and handbags. Jewelers pricing diamond products should take note, Peter Smith writes.

Rotenberg was an active member of the American Gem Society and an accomplished appraiser who also worked with therapy dogs at a hospital.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

It follows New York-based brand Shahla Karimi Jewelry’s all-women team in “Say Yes to the Dress” meets “The Office”-style episodes.


In its inaugural year, the SMO Foundation will focus on supporting two organizations in West Africa and one in South America.

The announcement comes just as the 90-day freeze on the “reciprocal” tariffs nears its end, giving countries more time to negotiate.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Kellie, who joined the organization in 2019, will remain in his role through the end of 2025.

Police officers apprehended the suspects as they were allegedly attempting to gain entry into another jewelry store.

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

The 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.

The West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.

This past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.

The brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.

JSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.

Located on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.

The new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.

The online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.

She will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.

Working with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.

The jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.

He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.

The jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.

Welcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.

Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.