Latest News
May 4th, 2020
WJA Announces 2020 Carelle/WJA Member Grant Winner
The Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) has awarded Eve Streicker, the founder of Original Eve Designs, the 2020 Carelle/WJA Member Grant in memory of Brooke Tivol McGrath... Here
March 30, 2020
WJA participates in the newly-launched Jeweler Support Network
WJA joins other industry associations in the Jeweler Support Network to provide resources and support for independent local jewelers... Here
March 24, 2020
WJA, JA, and JVC Join NRF in Urging Government to Protect American Retailers
The associations joined 90 others as signatories to an NRF letter... Here
March 11, 2020
WJA March is Me Month Featured Industry Articles
Find press coverage for March is Me Month as well as more infromation ... Here
March 9, 2020
Gem Junkies features WJA Executive Director Jennifer Markas
Listen to this podcast and more... Here
February 25, 2020
WJA Announces March is Me Month Marketing Partners
From retailers such as Signet and Macy’s, to suppliers like Richline Group and Stuller, the messaging will be widespread... Read more
January 20, 2020
InStore Publishes WJA Executive Director Jennifer Markas
Here's How We Can Level The Playing Field For Women In The Jewelry Industry. The Women's Jewelry Association empowers women to lead and succeed... Read more
January 8, 2020
WJA Announces March is Me Month
The WJA announces a new, industry-wide marketing initiative entitled March is Me Month... Read more
November 7, 2019
WJA Debutes Negotioable, a Members-Only Bennefit to Learn More Effective Bargaining
The WJA debutes Negotioable, a Members-Only bennefit that builds ability to bargain effectively in the workplace... Read more
October 15, 2019
WJA Introduces Connect, a Members-Only Online Community
The WJA introduces Connect, a members-only online community. The new benefit provides a professional space to network and learn... Read more
September 5, 2019
WJA Appoints New Executive Director
The Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) has moved its headquarters back to New York City and appointed a new executive director, Jennifer Markas, who begins work Sept. 10. ... Read more
August 20, 2019
Jewelry Night Out Events Around the US
The Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) will host its seventh annual WJA Jewelry Night Out on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. A membership discount for new and renewing members is available... Read more
August 6, 2019
AGTA Announces WJA Gem Diva Winners
See the 2019 Winners
June 11, 2019
Tickets On Sale Now for Awards for Excellence
Click Here to Purchase
April 29, 2019
WJA Releases Results of Gender Equality Survey
The Women’s Jewelry Association’s Gender Equality Project released the results of its first survey, which asked members of the gem, jewelry, and watch industries... Read more
View Survey Results Here
April 23, 2019
WJA Announces 2019 Awards for Excellence Honorees
The Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) has announced its 2019 honorees for the association's annual Awards for Excellence gala, to be held Monday, July 29, 2019. Read more
March 8, 2019
WJA Hosts Inaugural Women Executives Forum on International Women’s Day
Women industry leaders come together to strengthen category growth and drive collaborative partnerships... Read more
October 30, 2018
WJA Debuts Mentorship Guide and Workbook
The Women’s Jewelry Association has introduced new materials for its WJA Mentorship Program, to guide and structure the mentor-mentee relationship. Read more
September 18, 2018
WJA Releases Survey On Gender-Based Workplace Practices
The Women’s Jewelry Association, in partnership with MVI Marketing, today releases its first WJA Gender Equality Project survey to the trade. Read more
July 11, 2018
WJA Announces 2018 Scholarship & Grant Winners
The Women’s Jewelry Association awards $65,500 in funds in celebration of its 35th anniversary. Read more
April 12, 2018
WJA Announces Free First-Year Membership for Students
The Women’s Jewelry Association announced that it is offering the first year of student membership free to students during 2018, thanks to a new sponsorship from Gemological Science International (GSI). Read more
February 20, 2018
2018 Awards for Excellence Visionaries Revealed!
The Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) has announced its new 2018 Visionary Award honorees, for the association's annual Awards for Excellence gala, to be held Monday, July 16, 2018. The gala will once again take place at Pier 60 on the Chelsea Piers in New York City, and will mark WJA’s 35th anniversary in the jewelry industry. Read more
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February 8, 2018
WJA Announces 2018 International Board of Directors
The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) elected Jenny Luker, president of Platinum Guild International, as the new president of the WJA International Board of Directors.
Read more
November 2, 2017
Advocacy Task Force Launched
The Women's Jewelry Association announced plans to develop tools to help women advance to professional leadership positions in jewelry industry companies and on boards, and address other gender-related issues.
Read more
February 24, 2017
2017 Awards for Excellence Hall of Fame Honorees Announced
The Women's Jewelry Association will recognize Cecilia Gardner, Michael Pollak and Day's Jewelers as the 2017 Awards for Excellence Hall of Fame honorees at its awards gala on July 24 at Pier 60 in New York.
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January 24, 2017
Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship & Mentorship Award Announced
The Women's Jewelry Association has announced both a scholarship and award in memory of Cindy Edelstein, one of the jewelry industry's most beloved and respected members who passed away a year ago. The two honors continue Cindy's legacy of unmatched dedication to the WJA and designers in the jewelry industry.
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November 8, 2016
Peggy Kirby, a WJA Founder, Dies at 102
Hilda "Peggy" Kirby, a pioneering female executive in the jewelry industry, died on November 6, 2016. Kirby was one of a dozen women who helped found the national Women's Jewelry Association in 1983.
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August 31, 2016
WJA Jewelry Night Out 2016 - Press Release
The fourth annual nationwide get-together in 19 cities offers a membership discount for new and renewing members.
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August 15, 2016
WJA to Host Jewelry Night Out on September 15
Don't miss Jewelry Night Out, taking over cities around the globe on September 15. It's a time to connect with friends in the jewelry industry and join or renew WJA membership for only $99.
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August 3, 2016
WJA Awards for Excellence Winners Announced
The Awards for Excellence Gala on July 27th hosted over 600 attendees and inducted three industry leaders into its WJA Hall of Fame. See who was honored with Awards for Excellence in 10 categories.
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July 26, 2016
2016 Awards for Excellence Photos
Check out the fun photos from our
Le Vian Red Carpet Cam here and see
more photos from the evening, taken by our favorite photographer David Stewart Brown.
July 15, 2016
WJA Announces Female Veteran Grant Winner
The Women's Jewelry Association has awarded its 2016 Female Veteran Grant to Tara Hutchinson of Tara Hutch Fine Jewelry, San Antonio, TX.
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July 8, 2016
WJA Announces 2016 Carelle-WJA Grant Winner
The annual award, honoring the memory of the late Brooke Tivol McGrath, was given to Melissa Spencer of Spencer Fine Jewelry. Spencer's company re-invents the art of traditional jewelry portrait miniatures via its trademarked Spencer Portrait gemstone.
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June 24, 2016
WJA Announces 2016 Member Grant Awards
WJA has awarded its first Charlotte Preston "Gets It Done" grant, a special $1,000 award co-funded by WJA and its Twin Cities chapter. It also awarded 27 other grants of $500 each to recipients around the country.
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May 27, 2016
WJA Awards for Excellence 2016 Nominees Announced
The Women's Jewelry Association has announced its nominees for the association's annual Awards for Excellence in categories that include: design; manufacturer, dealer, supplier; retail; sales and merchandising; marketing and communications; editorial media; special services; and watches.
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March 2, 2016
WJA Recognizes Shining Stars on March 10
The Women's Jewelry Association announces the winners of its 2016 Shining Star awards, which annually recognize a member from each regional chapter who has given extraordinary service to her chapter in the previous year. The winners receive an expenses-paid trip to New York City, where they will be honored on March 10.
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February 17, 2016
WJA Adds New Programming to 2016 In The Know Conference
The Women's Jewelry Association has added additional programming and new networking/experiential opportunities to its 2016 WJA In The Know Conference on March 10th at Convene, 730 Third Avenue, New York City. The conference, with the theme, "Blurring the Lines," already announced keynote speakers Randi Zuckerberg, CEO of Zuckerberg Media; and Hitha Prabhakar, chief retail analyst at Aitchpe Retail Advisory.
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February 8, 2016
WJA to Honor 2016 Hall of Fame Recipients at the Hammerstein Ballroom
On July 25, 2016, WJA will present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Sissy Jones, Founder & CEO, Sissy's Log Cabin; the Ben Kaiser Award to Peter Engel, President, Fred Meyer Jewelers; and the Corporate Award to Ben Bridge.
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January 13, 2016
WJA Announces 2016-17 International Board of Directors
The Women's Jewelry Association elected Brandee Dallow, director of Rio Tinto Diamonds North America Representative Office, as the new president of the WJA International Board of Directors, with Jenny Luker of Platinum Guild International taking on the president-elect role.
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November 13, 2015
WJA Announces New Member Grant in Honor of Charlotte Preston
The Women's Jewelry Association announces a new Charlotte Preston "Gets It Done" Member Grant to honor the memory of one of its most committed members, the late Charlotte Preston, who died in October at the age of 62.
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October 29, 2015
WJA Announces Winners in 2016 GemDiva Division of the Annual DIVA Design Competition
The Women’s Jewelry Association announces the winners of the first division of its prestigious DIVA Design Competition. There are two divisions – and this first one called GemDiva is a category of the renowned AGTA Spectrum Award™. The judges met on October 25th to review all the colored gemstone designs women entered into the Spectrum awards.
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August 25, 2015
WJA Jewelry Night Out Takes Place in 19 Cities on September 10th
The Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) hosted its third annual WJA Jewelry Night Out (JNO) on Thursday Sept. 10, 2015. The festivities kicked off in the early evening in 19 cities throughout the United States: Atlanta; Bethesda, MD; Birmingham, AL; Boston; Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Cincinnati; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Madison, WI; Minneapolis; Nashville, TN; New York City; Providence, RI; San Diego; San Francisco; and Seattle.
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August 3, 2015
WJA Honors Industry Leaders at 2015 Awards for Excellence Gala
The 2015 Women's Jewelry Association Awards for Excellence Gala, which was held on July 27 in New York City, hosted over 700 attendees, and inducted three industry leaders into its WJA Hall of Fame. WJA also announced the 2015 winners of its Awards for Excellence in 10 categories.
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