Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
The Nominees for The WJA Awards Have Been Revealed
National Jeweler’s Senior Editor, Brecken Branstrator, is up for an award in the Media Excellence category.

Poughkeepsie, NY--Across nine categories, 33 individuals have a chance of nabbing a Women’s Jewelry Association Award for Excellence next month.
The Women’s Jewelry Association released its list of potential winners Monday. Earlier this year, WJA members and jewelry industry professionals were able to nominate their colleagues through an open, online submission process.
The pool was whittled down by a committee of past winners, headed by jewelry editor and former winner of an Award for Excellence in the Media Excellence category, Jennifer Heebner. This year, the committee honed and refined its criteria for selecting the final nominees.
"An eligible nominee must have a reputation for integrity, honesty, high ethical standards, and credibility, according to the new WJA Awards for Excellence criteria," Heebner explained. "She also must devote time and effort to help women in the jewelry industry excel."
The committee will go on to select the winner of each category, which will be announced live at the WJA Awards for Excellence gala on July 24 in New York at Chelsea Piers, Pier 60.
Here are the 2017 nominees:
Design
Manufacturer, Dealer, Supplier
Merchandising and Product Development
Business Services
Large-Scale Retail
Independent Retail
Open-Format Retail
Marketing and Communications
Editorial
President of WJA, Brandee Dallow, commented "WJA congratulates our 2017 WJA Awards for Excellence nominees, each of whom has demonstrated significant achievements throughout their careers. We look forward to applauding our honorees and nominees at the WJA Awards for Excellence gala on July 24."
In addition to the nine awards being given out at the Awards for Excellence gala, three other awards will be given to industry heavyweights for their contributions over the years.
As previously announced, Cecilia Gardner, president, CEO, and general counsel of Jewelers Vigilance Committee, will receive the WJA Lifetime Achievement Award. Michael Pollak, CEO of Hyde Park Jewelers, will receive the Ben Kaiser Award. Day's Jewelers will receive this year’s WJA Corporate Award.
Besides honoring industry leaders, the gala’s purpose is to raise funds to go toward WJA scholarships for women in the jewelry industry. A silent auction and raffle at the gala will aid this pursuit.
"The Awards for Excellence Gala is our prime opportunity to raise funds for our scholarship and grants program," said WJA Executive Director Bernadette Mack. "We are grateful to all of our honorees, nominees, attendees, and sponsors for their dedication in participating in this event, to invest in the new women entrepreneurs, veterans, and students
Those interested in sponsorship opportunities this year may contact Mack at bernadette@womensjewelryassociation.com, or obtain additional information on the WJA website.
Gala tickets may also be purchased on the site.
The Latest

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.

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

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.

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

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.

“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.

The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.

Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.