Events & AwardsApr 22, 2021
BIJC, Ben Bridge Introduce a New Scholarship IndependentsApr 27, 2021
The Deadline for WJA 2021 Scholarships is Approaching
Grants up to $7,000 are available.
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.
Related stories will be right here …
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.
More on Independents
The Latest
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
CrimeNov 12, 2025
Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago Victims in Double Homicide JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
GradingNov 12, 2025
It’s Time: GIA’s Express Holiday Service Is Back GIA is offering next-day services for natural, colorless diamonds submitted to its labs in New York and Carlsbad.
MajorsNov 10, 2025
Jewelers Focus on Love, Joy In 2025 Holiday Campaigns Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Pandora have launched holiday campaigns depicting their jewelry as symbols of affection and happiness.
SurveysNov 10, 2025
5 Things Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearThe National Retail Federation is bullish on the holidays, forecasting retail sales to exceed $1 trillion this year.
AuctionsNov 10, 2025
300+ Colored Diamonds Up for Auction at Christie’sLate collector Eddy Elzas assembled “The Rainbow Collection,” which is offered as a single lot and estimated to fetch up to $3 million.
EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food RescueAll proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Cornell’s Jewelers Names New PresidentCourtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
De Beers’ Production, Sales Increase in Q3 De Beers also announced more changes in its upper ranks ahead of parent company Anglo American’s pending sale of the company.
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.
AuctionsNov 05, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Designer Makes Her Auction DebutKindred Lubeck of Artifex has three rings she designed with Anup Jogani in Sotheby’s upcoming Gem Drop sale.
