Chicago

The WJA Chicago Chapter focuses on helping members advance and develop careers in the jewelry and watch industry. Throughout the year, we host educational and social events with opportunities to network and to learn more about various facets of the industry.

Our members come from both city and suburbs. They include a mix of those involved in retail and wholesale businesses, design, marketing, sales, support services, and other aspects of the industry. To facilitate professional growth of members, the chapter supports and promotes grants and scholarships, offers opportunities for mentoring, and participates in national and chapter recognition programs.

CHICAGO JEWELRY NIGHT OUT 2023

Saddle & Cycle Club 900 W. Foster Ave, 6pm-8pm

REGISTRATION HERE

 

COVID-19

We have resumed some in-person events and are mindful of Covid-19 precautions and will continue with some virtual events too. 

WJA has put together webinars and other resources available to help during this time. 



Also, many local chapters are opening their virtual events to others. New ones are added often. Check the Event Calendar to find events that interest you.

 

PHOTO GALLERY OF cHICAGO cHAPTER eVENTS

 

 

aBOUT pAST CHICAGO CHAPTER EVENTS

 

IN THE KNOW (ITK) THURSDAY NOVEMBER 3RD 12:00PM-2:00PM

Jewelers Mall, 5 South Wabash, 18th Floor during the Responsible Gem Boutique

Join us for In the Know (ITK) Chicago Conference, featuring a presentations dedicated to educational advancement and communal collaboration between peers, speakers, and friends alike. 

The day's presentations cover current topics pertaining to gender equality for international women in the jewelry industry and the experiences of LGBTQ members navigating a historically traditional industry.

12PM-12:45PM: LGBTQ in Jewelry
-Emmette Green, Front Office Associate | Casting House
-Andrea Hill, President & CEO | Hill Management Group, LLC
-Stephany Colunga, Designer | House of Colunga
Moderated by Brandee Dallow, Founder/President | Fine Girl Luxury Brand Building & Communications

1PM-1:45PM: International Women in Jewelry
-Pauline Mundia, Vice President | Federation Of Small Scale Mining Associations Of Zambia and African Women In Mining Association-Southern African Chapter
-Andrea Jose Castro, Creative Director | Peruvian Fine Jewellery And Founder | Casa Collab
-Ola Erogbogbo-Oyeniyi, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer | Deinte Designs Limited
Moderated by Viviana Langhoff, Owner | Adornment + Theory

10AM-4PM: Responsible Gem Boutique, a to the trade gem show selling responsibly sourced gemstones.
Come early or stay late to shop and network.

In the Know Conference
$30 Non-Member | $20 Member I $20 Student Member

 

JEWELRY NIGHT OUT (JNO) 2022

We were happy to host the Chicago Chapter Women's Jewelry Association's tenth annual Jewelry Night Out! For one night, WJA brings together industry professionals for an inspiring evening of community, connection, collaboration, and celebration!

Our evening included:
-Best in Chicago Jewelry Awards
-First drink on WJA Chicago!

Responsibly Sourced Sapphires:
A lunchtime chat with Eric Braunwart of Columbia Gem House

On Septermber, 29, 2021,  Eric Braunwart, President of Columbia Gem House, shared his insights from personal experience in responsibly sourcing sapphires from Australia, Malawi, Montana and more. He has 45 years in the industry and 20 years building the world’s first and largest transparent gemstone supply chain. He talked through practices you can look for, where to find sapphires produced in this way, and who you should be asking what questions when you’re looking to buy. Columbia Gem House sponsored the event. (Email: information@columbiagemhouse.com  Website: https://columbiagemhouse.com/)

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Jewelry Night Out 2021

On September 9, 2021, WJA Chicago hosted our first in-person event in a year and a half. We gathered among the flowers at City Grange, a plant and flower shop, in Lincoln Square, Chicago … with food, drinks, great music, and plenty of space to mingle outside. We caught up with old friends, met new ones, and enjoyed being together as a Chicago jewelry community! And this year at JNO, we were pleased to present Best in Chicago awards to some of our community.

A Conversation about Freshwater Pearls
with Eve Alfillé

On June 29, 2021, we gathered online at lunchtime to learn about freshwater pearls with award-winning designer and our resident expert on pearls — Eve Alfillé, owner of Eve J. Alfillé Gallery & Studio. Eve talked about their history, how they are cultivated, and why they're so popular. She showed samples to share from her vast collection at the gallery!

For more information about Eve and her gallery, visit her website, and follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

Thank you to Eve Alfillé for sponsoring this event!

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A 3-session Business Series
Arming You with Tools to Succeed!

Our 2021 In The Know included 3 business-related events each event started with a Mix & Mingle with a special cocktail recipes to enjoy during the presentation and themed jewelry to wear. 

SESSION 1
What You Need to Know for the Next Era
in Small Business Marketing

May 6th at 6:00 PM CDT

with Andrea Hill

   

On May 6, 2021, we met online for this first event of the ITK Business Series. It started with a Mix & Mingle, followed by a presentation by Andrea Hill, owner of Hill Management Group LLC (which includes the brands StrategyWerx, MentorWerx, and WerxMarketing). Andrea shared the building blocks of marketing for the new normal and some ways to help find and keep new customers.


SESSION 2

Navigating Social Media & Content Creation

May 13th at 6:00 PM CDT

with Alaina Clarke

On May 13, 2021, we met online for the second event of the ITK Business Series. It started with a Mix & Mingle, followed by a presentation by Alaina Clarke. Alaina discussed platforms to use, how often to post, what to post, tips about how to post, the difference between "stories" and "news feed," and ideas about creating content.

SESSION 3
Business Plan Basics: How to Set Goals and Take Action

May 26th at 4:00 PM CDT

with Hilary Halstead Scott

       

On May 26, 2021, we met online we met online for the second event of the ITK Business Series. It started with a Mix & Mingle, followed by a presentation by Hilary Halstead Scott, President of Halstead, a full service jewelry supply firm that caters to both large and small studios. She said that having a solid business plan prepared for your jewelry company is crucial to success. This session focused on helping small business owners create a robust jewelry business plan to use when applying for loans or for strategic planning to help build the business. Hilary introduced us to Jewelry Business Plan Toolkit developed by Halstead. It is an interactive guide that walks you through a12-step process with everything needed to create your jewelry business plan in one place. It is available for free on the Halstead website.

Thank you to our In the Know sponsors:

Halstead Bead

StrategyWerx

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Spring Bling: Mix & Mingle

On April 28, 2921, we met online for a virtual mix and mingle happy hour. In addition to time networking and catching up with jewelry peers, participants were invited to wear a favorite piece of jewelry that represents spring and to share its story with the group!

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Professional Looking Photos with a Smartphone

Presented by Janelle Hinesley
Sponsored by Halstead

On March 30, 2021, Halstead’s Senior Graphic Designer and Photographer, Janelle Hinesely, presented an overview of how to use a smartphone to take professional quality photos for your jewelry business. It included:

• How to setup your jewelry photos.
• Tips for lighting.
• How to edit your photos.
• Recommendations for a few free apps.

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Colored Gemstone Saturation and Pricing — 
The Factors

Presented by Richard Drucker

On February 25, 2021, we gathered online for a dazzling presentation by Richard Drucker about colored gemstone, including saturation, windowing, extinction, and more. He also talked about some interesting new developments and how labs are influencing this C, making it harder, not easier to interpret and sell or appraise.

Richard Drucker, GIA GG, is the president of Gemworld International, Inc., in Glenview, Illinois. His credentials include: Graduate Gemologist of the Gemological Institute of America; Honorary Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain; Senior Member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers; Senior Gemologist, Accredited Gemologists Association.

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An Evening with Fred Zweig
Metalsmith, Teacher & Collector

On November 12, 2020, we met online for An Evening with Fred Zweig. Fred did a show & tell presentation in which he shared a curated assortment of pieces from his private collection, focusing on Japanese Damascene, Arts & Crafts and the Modernist Movement periods.

Speaker



Fred Zweig is a metalsmith, teacher, and collector. A self-taught metalsmith and a teacher for over 40 years, Fred has a passion for paying homage to those who preceded him. 

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Virtual Happy Hour

On October 22, 2020, we met online for a virtual mix and mingle happy hour.

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WJA Jewelry Night In 2020

An all-chapter online event … followed by a Chicago Chapter
breakout session 

On September 10, 2020, we celebrated WJA Jewelry Night Out In. This year the annual event started with a Zoom call that brought together WJA members and prospective members from around the world to celebrate jewelry and share the value of being part of the WJA community. Guest speaker for the all-chapter event was Caryl Capeci, CEO of Chow Tai Fook/Hearts On Fire. She shared an inspiring message about leadership and the importance of community and mentorship.

The evening wrapped up with a Chicago Chapter breakout session, giving us a chance to connect with those from the Chicago area. We also did a fun and fast-paced online scavenger hunt! At the end of the evening, we did a drawing for a free membership!

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A Peek into the Vault!

What's Inside Susan Wheeler's Safe?

On August 27, 2020, we had the opportunity to see some amazing gems that Susan Wheeler, of Susan Wheeler Design and Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference, has stored in her vault! Susan showed us a myriad of stones she has as well as some projects she has in process.

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Mix and Mingle Chicago
On August 8, 2020, we met online for a virtual mix and mingle happy hour. In addition to time networking and catching up with jewelry peers, participants showed interesting pieces of jewelry and shared stories about the pieces with the group. 

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Virtual Studio Tours!
On July 23, 2020, three of our members conducted virtual tours of their personal jewelry studios. They showed how their workspaces are arranged, pointed out favorite tools, and answered questions about their studios and their businesses.

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Via a Zoom call …
Virtual Happy Hour

On July 28, 2020, we met online for a virtual mix and mingle happy hour.

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The History of Jewelry in the Age of Modernism:
Women as Makers

In the 20^th century, the role of jewelry transformed mere objects of vanity into modern expressions of personal, social and economic change. As an indicator or 'antenna' of the times, it is no coincidence that many women were designing and making these objects which would prove useful in the creation of a new independent female identity. 
 
On our webinar on June 25, 2020, Kathleen Baum presented an inspirational talk about how key female designers such as Marianne Brandt, Elisabeth Treskow, Margaret de Patta and many others who pioneered the breaking of gender stereotypes in the jewelry studio. 
Speaker
Kathleen Baum has been teaching jewelry making, art and fashion history at the College of DuPage for over 25 years. Her course ‘Body Art through the Ages’ explores the meaning of adornment through multiple cultures and traditions.



Kathleen Baum
College of DuPage

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Do I Have to be Naked to Get in Here? 
Women in Museums — More Paintings than Painters

Historically, and still today, for every score of paintings of naked women you see in a museum, you'll be lucky to see even one painting by a woman. While many female artists have been rediscovered in the last few decades, they’re still a ways behind in being feted, displayed in museums, and taught with the same regard as their male counterparts. 
 
On our webinar on May 21, Dominique Larson presented an overview of a few of brilliant women painters (from the past and in the present), the works they did, and the lives they led (scandals included). 


Dominique Larson
B.F.A.​

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Relief Efforts for Artisanal Gemstone Miners

How can you help artisanal gemstone mining communities
during Covid-19?
On our webinar on May 6, 2020, Monica Stephenson and WJA Chicago's Susan Wheeler answered that question. Monica described how Gem Legacy is enacting relief efforts in Tanzania and Kenya. Susan Wheeler shared about all of the initiatives listed on the Gemstone Covid Relief Hub and the Zambia Action Plan.

They discussed the rising problems with food insecurity that the women miners are facing and provided insight into how these women are affected during the pandemic and the struggles to support their families. Actionable initiatives are being formed that want you to engage in relief efforts. Gem Legacy has already enacted successful food drives in East Africa and the ad hoc supply chain forming in Zambia to help miners. Proceeds were donated between Gem Legacy and The Responsible Jewelry Transformative.

Monica Stephenson
ANZA Gems


Susan Wheeler
The Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference
& Susan Wheeler Design

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Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art
Learning by Exploring Exhibits and
Viewing Lapidary Treasures
On Sunday, February 23, 2020, we visited the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art at it's new location in Oak Brook, IL. The Lizzadro Museum, established in 1962, displays gemstone treasures, antiques to modern, with a blending of earth science exhibits. It has an extraordinary collection of gems, hardstone carvings, rocks and minerals from around the world. After exploring the exhibits, we gathered for lunch at a nearby restaurant. 

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Mix & Mingle

On January 29, 2020, we gathered at the Queen Mary Tavern in Chicago for a casual get together to chat jewelry, network, and meet new friends!

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Presentation with Brian Cook: