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.
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.
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.
The Latest
Step inside the nearly 21,000-square-foot suburban Chicago jewelry store with Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff.
These punk-inspired earrings from the new Canadian brand’s debut collection reveal the alter ego of the classic pearl.
The company brings its nanotechnology to two new fancy cuts for diamonds that feature its signature color and brilliance.
From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
Sponsored by Tasha R
Three Titanic survivors presented him with the personalized Tiffany & Co. timepiece about a year after the tragedy.
A federal court found that the jewelry store chain violated terms of the settlement reached after it was accused of defrauding customers.
This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
Cynthia Erivo chose Dreams of Hope, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQA+ youth, as the charity for this year’s collection.
The new space was designed to evoke a warm, inviting vibe.
Kinney, who spent nearly 30 years at IJO, has been hired to head Abbott Jewelry Systems’ new virtual marketplace.
The auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.
The “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.
The money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.
Local reports identified the woman as the wife of the jewelry store owner.
A collection of pieces owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family, blew away estimates in Geneva last week.
The Australian jewelry box brand’s new West Village store will showcase new jewelers each month through its Designer in Residence program.
“Lovechild” was created in partnership with Carolyn Rafaelian’s Metal Alchemist brand.
Hampton discussed how Helzberg is improving the customer experience and why it was inspired by the company formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts.
The group will host several curated events and an exhibition of designer jewelry made with Peruvian gold traceable to the miners’ names.
The collection honors the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s “Love is Like a Butterfly” song, which shares a birth year with Kendra Scott.
This year’s theme asks designers to take inspiration from classic fairy tales.
Senior Editor Lenore Fedow makes the case for why more jewelers should be appealing to nerds at the annual event.
The latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.
No. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.
On the latest episode of “My Next Question,” two experts share best practices for store security during the holidays and year-round.
Sotheby’s sold the necklace, which potentially has ties to Marie-Antoinette, for $4.8 million to a woman bidding via phone.