AuctionsApr 27, 2026
12 Years Later, the ‘Ocean Dream’ Diamond Resurfaces at Christie’sThe largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2016
WJA Announces 2016 Grant Winners
The Women’s Jewelry Association has awarded its first Charlotte Preston “Gets It Done” grant, this year’s Carelle-WJA Grant and many others.
The Women’s Jewelry Association has awarded its first Charlotte Preston “Gets It Done” grant. Amanda Bilberry (pictured left) is the recipient of the award, created in memoriam of WJA member Charlotte Preston (right).
New York--The Women’s Jewelry Association has announced a slew of grant winners for this year ahead of its annual Awards for Excellence gala.
Melissa Spencer of Spencer Fine Jewelry was awarded the 2016 Carelle-WJA Grant, given in memory of Brooke Tivol McGrath, who a driving force behind the launch of the Carelle brand before she died unexpectedly of a rare blood infection at the age of 28.
Spencer founded Spencer Fine Jewelry, which specializes in portraits set underneath rock crystal and surrounded by variations of gold, sterling silver, diamonds and gemstones, in 2016 after completing studies at the Gemological Institute of America.
She also serves as an event planning co-chair for WJA’s Los Angeles chapter.
The $5,000 Carelle-WJA Grant is awarded annual to a WJA entrepreneur in their first five years of business.
“Winning the Carelle-WJA Grant in memory of Brooke Tivol McGrath is a great honor,” Spencer said. “The award will fuel the production of a beautifully interactive website, which is the most important next step of my business so that I may best connect with my customers. I have learned that Brooke and I would have shared many passions, including French language studies, travel and most importantly, jewelry design. In accepting this award I aspire to honor her legacy.”
In other grant news, the first annual $1,000 Charlotte Preston “Gets It Done” grant has been awarded to Amanda Bilberry.
Bilberry, a member of San Diego’s WJA chapter, is working to become a buyer for antique and fine jewelry. She has completed studies at the GIA and will use her grant to fund a course in jewelry appraisal.
The Charlotte Preston grant was launched last November, after Preston passed away from cancer.
Preston formerly was the president of the WJA Twin Cities chapter and was an active WJA member and supporter for several years. She ran a jewelry educational programming company called Charlotte Preston Catalysts.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have won such a special grant in honor of such an extraordinary woman,” Bilberry said. “I'm sad I was never able to meet her, but I am honored to have received this gift in her name.”
An additional 27 grants of $500 each have been awarded to WJA members around the country for their professional growth.
The full list of 2016 WJA grant winners is as follows.
--Boston: Wendy Jo New
--Chicago: Sue Crady, Kerry Gilligan, Alison Neumann, Anne van der Meulen
--Colorado: Kate Swasey
--Dallas: Laura Stanley
--Florida: Maryann Scandiffio
--Los
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Angeles: Tanya Parikh
--New York Metro: Amy Glaswand, Gabrielle Morris, Madeleine Roslow, Karen Sampieri, Jane Schiowitz
--Northern California: Feurene Chew, Brenda Flanders, Sawyer Riley
--Ohio/Kentucky: Kate Pleatman
--Providence: Loren Barham, Lauren Paquin, Marilyn Salvatore
--San Diego: Judy Colbert, Tara Hesselroth, Kathryn Timmerman-Susak
--Seattle: Kelsey Kovach
--Twin Cities: Jacqueline Gerhart, Diane Munsinger
--New York Metro: Amy Glaswand, Gabrielle Morris, Madeleine Roslow, Karen Sampieri, Jane Schiowitz
--Northern California: Feurene Chew, Brenda Flanders, Sawyer Riley
--Ohio/Kentucky: Kate Pleatman
--Providence: Loren Barham, Lauren Paquin, Marilyn Salvatore
--San Diego: Judy Colbert, Tara Hesselroth, Kathryn Timmerman-Susak
--Seattle: Kelsey Kovach
--Twin Cities: Jacqueline Gerhart, Diane Munsinger
In 2015, WJA raised $60,000 for grants and scholarships at its annual Awards for Excellence gala.
This year’s gala will be held on Monday, July 25 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, where awards will be given across ten categories, including design, retail, editorial media and watches.
Two honorees will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards: Sissy Jones of Sissy’s Log Cabin and Peter Engel, president of Fred Meyer Jewelers. Ben Bridge Jeweler will be awarded the WJA Corporate Award.
More information, including how to purchase tickets and sponsorship opportunities, is available on WJA’s website.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an AfterthoughtEmmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 YearsIn honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
MajorsApr 27, 2026
JBT Re-Elects Jeff Corey as Board ChairThe trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
