SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
OtherJul 22, 2014
WJA grants 8 scholarships to jewelry students
Eight students currently studying jewelry and metalsmithing at various colleges across the country and abroad have been awarded scholarships from the Women’s Jewelry Association.
New York--Eight students currently studying jewelry and metalsmithing at various colleges across the country and abroad have been awarded scholarships from the Women’s Jewelry Association.
The scholarships, which total $16,000, will benefit the students for the 2014-2015 school year.
The organization’s annual Awards for Excellence gala, raffle and silent auction raise money for the scholarships, as do member donations, sponsors and financial support from the Marilyn DaSilva Fund, June Herman Fund and Myra Goldstein Scholarship Fund.
The recipients of the scholarships are as follows.
--Melissa Cousins, University of Georgia
$4,000 June Herman Designer/Creator Scholarship Award
Cousins double majors in jewelry and metals and marine biology, and plans to use her scholarship to study intermediate and advanced metals, advanced jewelry, scientific illustration and ceramics. She said her goals are to open her own custom/handmade jewelry shop and become a gemologist.
--Sylvie Alusitz, Rochester Institute of Technology
$2,500 Myra Goldstein Designer/Creator Scholarship Award
Alusitz is majoring in jewelry/metalsmithing and also studying art history, book binding, welding, flame working and the uses of wood, glass, fibers and clay. She has worked as a bench jeweler intern and assistant jeweler at several wholesale and retail jewelry firms.
--Eunwha Son, University of Kansas
$2,000 Marilyn DaSilva Designer/Creator Scholarship Award
Son is in a metals/jewelry graduate program and has won a variety of scholarships in both South Korea and the United States, including receiving the Myra Goldstein WJA Student Scholarship in 2013. Her goal is to obtain a professional position in the jewelry industry, specializing in design within the nexus of art, fashion and fine jewelry.
--Katelyn Butler, Missouri State University
$1,500 Designer/Creator Scholarship Award
Butler is majoring in jewelry/metalsmithing and will be using her scholarship to study 3-D printing, advanced metalsmithing, contemporary art and medieval art. She also has won a separate scholarship to attend the 2014 Society of North American Goldsmiths conference.
--Amanda Ortman, Virginia Commonwealth University
$1,000 Designer/Creator Scholarship
Ortman is a sculpture major and also studies craft and materials, art history and product innovation. She plans to use her scholarship toward classes in ancient Peruvian textiles, advanced sculpture and math modeling.
--Lopeeta Tawde, University of Kansas
$1,000 Designer/Creator Scholarship
Tawde is pursuing a master of fine arts degree in metalsmithing and jewelry design, and plans to use her scholarship toward classes in the Matrix CAD design program, gemology and the history of jewelry. Her ultimate goal is to
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
work as a jewelry artist and pursue a career in academia.
--Maggie Horvath, Savannah College of Art and Design
$2,000 Designer Scholarship
Horvath is studying contemporary jewelry and 3-D visualization as she pursues a master of fine arts in jewelry. She has participated in juried exhibitions, including the Kutztown University exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, and her long-term plan is to become a high school teacher or professor.
--Dorothy Cheng, West Dean College, United Kingdom
$2,000 Non-Designer Scholarship
Cheng is studying for her master’s degree in the conservation of metalwork at West Dean College in England, and has worked as a maker of production, custom and art jewelry. Her goal is to continue her jewelry studio practice while freelancing as a metalwork conservator.
A WJA scholarship jury, headed by Lisa Slovis Mandel, chair of the WJA Scholarship Fund Board of Trustees, evaluated this year’s scholarship applicants. Her committee included WJA representatives from across the country.
Additional information about WJA scholarships and grants can be found on the WJA website.
Editor's note: This story was updated to correct the name of the scholarship winner from the Rochester Institute of Technology. It is Sylvie, not Sylvia, Alusitz.
More on Other
The Latest
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
