The Deadline for WJA 2021 Scholarships is Approaching
Grants up to $7,000 are available.

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.
The Latest

The new showcase dedicated to Italian jewelry design is set for Oct. 29-30.

Take a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.

The new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

The holiday catalog for 2025 features never-before-seen images of more than 100 one-of-a-kind masterpieces.


The brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.

Corey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.

The upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.

Charles Robinson Shay was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years while his accomplice, Michael James McCormack, got 75 years.

The Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.

Timepieces at Luxury will take place at The Venetian and, like Luxury, will be invitation-only for the first two days.

The auction house named a new global head of jewelry, as well as a new head of the jewelry department for the Americas.

As chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.

Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.

The parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.

The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.

The trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.

Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.

Jewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.

The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.

“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.

The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.

The line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.

The rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.

The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.

The champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.

Kosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.