Events & AwardsApr 21, 2021
Meet the 3 Recipients of the Beyoncé x Lorraine Schwartz GIA ScholarshipEvents & AwardsApr 22, 2021
BIJC, Ben Bridge Introduce a New Scholarship
Named for the late Lonia Tate, the scholarship is for the Graduate Gemology program at GIA, with an internship at the jeweler to follow.
Seattle—Via the Black in Jewelry Coalition, Ben Bridge Jeweler is sponsoring a scholarship and internship opportunity for a minority candidate interested in pursing a career in fine jewelry.
The recipient of The Lonia Tate Scholarship will have the opportunity to earn their Graduate Gemologist diploma via distance learning from the Gemological Institute of America (approximate value, $10,000) and, following completion of their G.G., will intern at Ben Bridge Jeweler.
The scholarship was created in memory of Lonia Tate, an American Gem Society Registered Jeweler and longtime Ben Bridge associate.
Tate lived in Seattle and worked as a human resource assistant at the jeweler for 35 years.
She was passionate about the jewelry industry as well as community service, and served as the first Black president of the Seattle chapter of Executive Women International.
Tate died last year at the age of 54.
Related stories will be right here …
The recipient of The Lonia Tate Scholarship will have the opportunity to earn their Graduate Gemologist diploma via distance learning from the Gemological Institute of America (approximate value, $10,000) and, following completion of their G.G., will intern at Ben Bridge Jeweler.
Lonia Tate
The scholarship was created in memory of Lonia Tate, an American Gem Society Registered Jeweler and longtime Ben Bridge associate.
Tate lived in Seattle and worked as a human resource assistant at the jeweler for 35 years.
She was passionate about the jewelry industry as well as community service, and served as the first Black president of the Seattle chapter of Executive Women International.
Tate died last year at the age of 54.
The scholarship is open to U.S. residents 18 or older who are American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian/Asian-American, Black/African-American, Hispanic/Latino or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander.
Applicants must have at least a high school diploma, a commitment to community service—as Tate did—and a strong desire to work in the gem and jewelry industry.
The winner will be selected from one of the U.S. states where Ben Bridge Jeweler operates: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.
To apply, visit the Scholarships section of the BIJC website.
The application deadline is April 30, and the winner will be announced on May 7.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
FinancialsApr 14, 2025
Movado to Restate Years of Financials Due to ‘Misconduct’ in Dubai An investigation found that the former managing director of Movado’s Dubai branch overstated and prematurely recorded sales.
CollectionsApr 14, 2025
Sauer Embraces Emptiness Through ‘Ma’ CollectionThe collection pays tribute to the Japanese philosophy of Ma, studying balance, stillness, and the interplay between presence and absence.
IndependentsApr 14, 2025
Illinois Jeweler Closing After 45 YearsMari Lou’s Fine Jewelry in Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago, is closing its doors.
GradingApr 14, 2025
GIA Expands Overseas Services as Tariffs Kick InGIA’s labs in Dubai and Hong Kong are now accepting larger diamonds in light of the “logistical challenges” presented by the new tariffs.
Weekly QuizApr 11, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsApr 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Replica of Princess Grace’s Wedding EarringsThese earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, featuring the same design as a pair worn by Princess Grace, are up for auction at Woolley & Wallis.
Recorded WebinarsApr 11, 2025
Watch: Top Tips for Saving Time With AITwo experts share how artificial intelligence tools can help retailers run a more efficient business.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
SourcingApr 11, 2025
Mikimoto Names New President, CEO for U.S. DivisionKentaro Nishimura, who has been with the pearl company since 1997, has been promoted to president and CEO of Mikimoto America.
WatchesApr 11, 2025
Bulova Documentary Now on Amazon Prime“America Telling Time: 150 Years of Bulova” explores the storied history of the American watchmaker.
Policies & IssuesApr 10, 2025
Trump Presses Pause on Higher Tariffs for 90 DaysAn across-the-board tariff of 10 percent remains in place for all U.S. trading partners, except China.
MajorsApr 10, 2025
Brilliant Earth Taps Influencers, Their Moms for Mother’s Day CampaignBrigette Pheloung and Tania Sarin, and their mothers, star in the campaign wearing medallions they co-designed.
MajorsApr 10, 2025
Pary LeVian, Matriarch of the LeVian Family, Dies at 96LeVian is remembered for her unwavering commitment to her family, community, and helping others.
EditorsApr 09, 2025
Tariffs: What We Know Right Now Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff answers questions about how the new taxes levied on countries like India and China will impact the industry.
MajorsApr 09, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Opens Flagship in BrazilThe new store in the upscale Iguatemi São Paulo mall is the storied brand’s first flagship in Brazil.
AuctionsApr 09, 2025
Bonhams to Offer Selection of Chaumet JewelsThe pieces span from the Art Deco period to the 1970s and will go up for auction at the Paris Jewels sale later this month.
MajorsApr 09, 2025
Pandora Names Tyla as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, who is set to perform at Coachella this month, also debuted a curated selection from the brand.
WatchesApr 08, 2025
Here Are the New Rolex Watches for 2025The introductions include the Land-Dweller, Rolex’s first new model since 2012, as well as several new dials for its classic timepieces.
MajorsApr 08, 2025
Willis Cowlishaw, Zale Executive and Mentor to Many, Dies at 98Cowlishaw earned a degree in horology after serving in World War II, working at one of the first Zales stores in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
AuctionsApr 07, 2025
182-Carat Paraíba-Type Tourmaline Heading to Auction in Hong KongBonhams will offer the “Kat Florence Lumina” at its May 22 jewelry auction.
CrimeApr 07, 2025
Third Man Involved in $2.7M Smash-and-Grab Is SentencedIn March 2022, the men went into a jewelry store in Beverly Hills and smashed the display cases with sledgehammers and crowbars.
AuctionsApr 07, 2025
Sotheby’s ‘Area_51’ Watch Auction Totals $1.6MThe 51 unique watches from Sotheby’s three-day sale and immersive exhibition all found buyers, with the top lot selling for $229,955.
MajorsApr 07, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Expands to Australia Via New AcquisitionThe company has acquired Australian jewelry insurance provider Jewellers Loop.
AuctionsApr 04, 2025
25-Carat Burmese Sapphire Brooch Sells for $101KA pink topaz Belle Époque pendant-brooch and a Victorian Egyptian Revival choker were also highlights at a recent Anderson & Garland sale.
SourcingApr 04, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade to Hold Inaugural International Jade SummitThe event, which will co-locate with the Monterey Bay Jade Festival, will bring education sessions focused on jade to the United States.
CollectionsApr 04, 2025
Piece of the Week: Heather B. Moore’s ‘Lily of the Valley’ CharmThe charm is a celebration of springtime as April showers bring May flowers with the piece’s cluster of diamond raindrops.
