PodcastsJun 17, 2026
Episode 6: Las Vegas 2026-Trends, Traffic, Broken BathroomsCouture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.
OtherJul 16, 2015
WJA announces scholarship recipients
Among the awards this year is the new Female Veteran Scholarship, which went to a designing jeweler who served in the U.S. Army as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technician.
New York--The Women’s Jewelry Association announced late Thursday that it is giving out more than $21,000 in scholarships for the 2015-16 school year to a total of 11 students.
The scholarships went to students in trade school and college degree programs in jewelry making and design. New this year is the Female Veteran Scholarship, which was sponsored by Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co.
The recipients are as follows.
$5,000 Female Veteran Scholarship
Winner: Jenifer Bellefleur, Gemological Institute of America
Bellefleur served in the U.S. Army as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technician. After being honorably discharged, she earned a degree in law, criminology and deviance from the University of Minnesota and a master’s in leadership from Augsburg College in Minneapolis. Ten years ago, she began working in photography and jewelry and currently is a designing jeweler and studio manager in Minneapolis. She’ll use her scholarship toward her graduate jeweler diploma from GIA.
$3,500 June Herman Designer/Creator Scholarship Award
Winner: Melissa Cousins, University of Georgia
Cousins is winning the Herman award for the second year in a row. She’s majoring in jewelry and metals at UGA and plans to use her scholarship money to study advanced jewelry, art history, painting and intaglio print-making, in advance of preparation for her Bachelor of Fine Arts exit show.
$3,000 Myra Goldstein Designer/Creator Scholarship Award
Winner: Susan Thornton, New Approach School for Jewelers
Thornton is the owner of Thornton Metals Studio in Watertown, Tenn. and will use her scholarship money to study stone setting and fabrication at the New Approach School, a trade school in Franklin, Tenn. that teaches practical bench skills.
$2,000 Marilyn DaSilva Designer/Creator Scholarship Award
Winner: Hannah Hash, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
Hash is in her final year at SCAD and will use her scholarship to study accessory design and business skills, toward earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in jewelry.
Winner: Kim Hung Chea, GIA
Influenced by her aunt, who has a jewelry shop in Cambodia, Chea has taken classes at Pasadena City College in drawing, rendering, product design and painting and now will study jewelry design at GIA.
$1,000 Designer/Creator Scholarship
Winner: Emily Culver, Cranbrook Academy of Art
Culver graduated from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia and now is pursuing a master’s in jewelry at Cranbrook, which is located in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
Winner: Haiyin Liang, Colorado State University
Liang is majoring
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
in art, metalsmithing and jewelry at CSU, after which she hopes to create wearable, one-of-a-kind jewelry.
Winner: Qiuting Wang, SCAD
Wang will use her scholarship money to continue her studies at SCAD where she plans to take Adornment/Identity/Power, Enameling, Studio Practice III, Innovations in Studio Practice, Portfolio Development and Digital Jewelry.
$1,000 Designer Scholarship
Winner: Chujun LI, SCAD
Li will use her scholarship toward an accessory design course at SCAD, where she is majoring in jewelry.
$1,000 Non-Designer Scholarship
Winner: Carla Caravante, GIA
Caravante will use her scholarship funds toward earning her graduate gemologist diploma from the GIA. She already has a graduate jeweler diploma and a certificate in jewelry design from GIA.
Winner: Miranda Harter, North Bennet Street School (NBSS)
Harter will be studying jewelry making and repair at NBSS, which is located in Boston. She also works as a bench jeweler at Jade Moran Jewelry in Boston and works in the building maintenance department at the school.
More on Other
The Latest
GradingJun 17, 2026
SSEF Issues Warning on Refilled EmeraldsThe lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.
WatchesJun 17, 2026
Patek Philippe’s ‘Visionary’ Leader Philippe Stern Dies at 88 The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
James Avery to Revamp In-Store Retail ExperienceThe Texas-based jeweler is gradually rolling out a new experience-forward layout in its stores.
Weekly QuizJun 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
Seahawks’ Super Bowl Ring Blends Meaningful Design, Technical CraftsmanshipThe Super Bowl LX champions were honored with diamond and blue sapphire rings by Jason of Beverly Hills.
Policies & IssuesJun 17, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Names New Executive DirectorMarianna Smirnova previously spent a decade working with the Responsible Minerals Initiative, in addition to other relevant roles.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
5 Things to Know About the 2026 NBA Championship TrophyThe New York Knicks took home the Larry O'Brien Trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co.
TrendsJun 16, 2026
Post-Vegas Jewelry Trend Report: Big Beads, Western Flair, White MetalsAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco lists the trends she spotted during Jewelry Market Week that will dominate the second half of 2026.
SourcingJun 16, 2026
GemGuide Updates Ruby PricesIts app now reflects increased prices for Mozambique ruby, as well as changes to its Burma ruby charts.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
Sasha Primak Hires New Design DirectorThe manufacturer has tapped Alicia Arnold, the former director of custom design at Tiny Jewel Box.
IndependentsJun 15, 2026
DeBoulle Diamond & Jewelry to Renovate Dallas FlagshipThe revamped, elevated space will feature a two-story Patek Philippe atelier and a rooftop patio for parties.
WatchesJun 15, 2026
G-Shock, Coca-Cola Partner on Bottle-Inspired WatchThe special-edition piece marks the 140th anniversary of the iconic beverage brand.
TrendsJun 15, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Tiny Charms Are TrendingHere are 13 small charms to inspire your layered looks this summer.
AuctionsJun 12, 2026
16th-Century ‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Going Up for Auction in LondonFound by a metal detectorist, the ring likely belonged to a wealthy, possibly royal, owner, said Noonans.
CollectionsJun 12, 2026
Chouette Designs To Launch Collection Celebrating All Types of LoveOur Pride Month Piece of the Week, the “Margaux” ring, is part of the wife-and-wife team’s new “Lovestoned” collection.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2026
CBG Announces Plans for Phoenix ShowThe group has named the keynote speaker and announced a new pavilion for its next event, which is slated for September.
EditorsJun 11, 2026
This Was the Best Animal Jewelry in Las Vegas From lions and hippos to snails and fish, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow wrangles her picks for cutest jewelry critters in Las Vegas.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Grandview Klein, London Jewelers Partner To Cut 63-Carat RoughThe big stone will be fashioned into a 20.26-carat diamond in celebration of the retailer’s 100th anniversary this year.
MajorsJun 11, 2026
Former Cartier Creative Director To Head Chanel’s Jewelry Creation StudioMarie-Laure Cérède will join Chanel as the new director of its jewelry creation studio, starting in October.
Lab-GrownJun 11, 2026
Smiling Rocks’ ‘Wish Jar’ Generates 100+ Wishes in Las Vegas At the JCK show, the lab-grown diamond brand teamed up with Jewelers for Children to support Make-A-Wish India.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Exec Joins Diamonds Do Good BoardIlana McCabe is Signet’s vice president of public relations and brand communications.
AuctionsJun 10, 2026
31.62-Carat ‘Azure Blue’ Diamond Sells For $8M+ at Christie’sIt was a banner day for blue gemstones, with another blue diamond topping $8 million and a 41-carat sapphire going for $2.3 million.
MajorsJun 10, 2026
Saks Global Receives Bankruptcy Court Approval for ReorganizationThe approval means the retailer is on track to exit bankruptcy proceedings this summer.
CrimeJun 10, 2026
2 Suspects Arrested in Texas Jewelry Store RobberyThe men are believed to be part of the group of several masked suspects that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers in April.
CollectionsJun 10, 2026
Sylvie Debuts ‘Elevated’ Bridal Collection Inspired By Designer’s RingThe bridal-focused brand is also launching its Custom Atelier this summer, a digital custom design tool for its authorized retailers.
