The Deadline for WJA 2021 Scholarships is Approaching

New York—Current and potential students have until April 30 to apply for a scholarship through the Women’s Jewelry Association. 

Each year, WJA awards approximately $30,000 in scholarships that fund women’s education in the jewelry field, from jewelry design and computer-aided design studies to gemology and business development. 

This year is the first that the association is splitting its scholarships into two distinct seasons, with the current spring round geared toward scholarship applications for students to utilize in the fall and the fall round catering to small businesses seeking grants to help them in the year ahead.

Current scholarship opportunities are as follows.

The Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship was created in honor of the namesake designer advocate who helped guide the careers of many independent jewelry brands.

In a statement, WJA called Edelstein, “one of the jewelry industry's most beloved and respected members,” and “a champion of the jewelry design community.”

The annual $5,000 scholarship is geared toward designers and artisans.

Another annual $5,000 scholarship, the WJA-Gabriel Love Foundation Student Scholarship, benefits a student enrolled in design or non-design courses in a jewelry or metalsmithing program at an accredited college, university or training school.

Lastly, the WJA Foundation provides various student scholarships to students enrolled in a jewelry or metalsmithing program at an accredited college, university or training school between Aug. 1, 2022 and July 31, 2022.

The foundation awards scholarships in three categories: the designer/creator category, in which applicants submit images of finished pieces they’ve designed and created; the designer category, in which applicants submit computer-aided-designs and drawings; and the non-designer category, targeted toward future gemologists, appraisers, watchmakers, bench jewelers or retailers, who must submit an essay.

The WJA Foundation scholarships range from $1,000 to $7,000. Recipients will be selected by a jury in early June.

Student applicants don’t have to be WJA members to apply but can join for free.

More information is available online.