Scholarships
Stuller Bench Jeweler Scholarship
The scholarship recipient will have the opportunity to attend a selection of workshops and training programs at Stuller’s headquarters in Lafayette, LA. The recipient will choose from a range of specialized courses, including Bench Jewelers Workshop, Laser Welding and Soldering, Basic Stone Setting, Intermediate Stone Setting, Advanced 1 Stone Setting, and Advanced 2 Stone Setting.
In addition to the educational experience, WJA Foundation will cover up to $1,500 of airfare costs, ensuring accessibility to this invaluable opportunity.
Application Period: March 1 – May 15, 2026
Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship
The Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship was established by the WJA Foundation to honor the life and legacy of one of the jewelry industry’s most respected advocates. Created in recognition of Cindy Edelstein’s enduring commitment to the Women’s Jewelry Association and to supporting the growth of women’s careers, this scholarship provides $5,000 to support continued education. The award may be applied toward design or business coursework that advances the recipient’s professional development within the jewelry industry. Funds may be used for design or business coursework.
Application Period: March 1 – May 15, 2026
In Loving Memory
Cindy Edelstein began her career as an editor at JCK Magazine, where her role as fashion editor sparked a lifelong passion for jewelry designers and their work. In 1991, she founded Jeweler’s Resource Bureau (JRB) with a singular mission: to support designer fine jewelry as a retail category, an art form, and a thriving community. Alongside her husband, Frank Stankus, Cindy built JRB into a trusted resource offering expert guidance, custom publications, and targeted marketing tools for designer entrepreneurs. In 2000, Edelstein and JRB launched globalDESIGN, the first American trade show on the craft show circuit to feature international studio jewelers.
Hedda Schupak-Baum Memorial Media & Communications Scholarship
Hedda Schupak-Baum was a highly respected journalist, editor, and influential voice in the jewelry industry whose career spanned more than three decades. She devoted 23 years to JCK magazine, serving in numerous editorial roles before becoming editor-in-chief in 2000. Known for her sharp insight, integrity, and deep understanding of jewelry as both craft and culture, Hedda championed thoughtful storytelling and elevated the voices of designers, retailers, and media professionals across the industry. She was inducted into the Women’s Jewelry Association Hall of Fame in 2006. Hedda passed away in 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer.
In her honor, the WJA Foundation established the Hedda Schupak-Baum Memorial Media and Communications Scholarship, celebrating her enduring legacy of excellence in journalism, mentorship, and industry leadership. The Scholarship, valued at $7,500, will be awarded to individual(s) working in the fine jewelry industry as current media professionals, including on-staff magazine and newspaper editors, freelance writers and editors, podcast hosts, and social media content creators looking to enhance their careers with continuing education.
The scholarship recipient must be a media professional with at least one year of experience who reports or communicates about fine jewelry/watch industry news, trends, and/or company/brand/designer profiles. Coursework must be completed within one year and may be undertaken through online or in-person programs, subject to approval by the scholarship jury. Examples of eligible programs include but are not limited to the NYU Modern Journalism Course, SCAD BFA or MFA in Writing, BS in Fashion Media | LIM College, or any college-level coursework related to the media field within the jewelry industry.
Eligibility
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Minimum one year of experience in jewelry/watch media
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Open to editors, writers, podcasters, and content creators
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Coursework must be completed within one year and approved by the scholarship jury.
Application Period: March 1 – May 15, 2026
Helene Fortunoff Retail Leadership Scholarship
The WJA Foundation is proud to partner with the Fortunoff Family on a scholarship for women in retail in honor of their late mother, Helene Fortunoff, and her unwavering commitment to paving the way for women to grow within the industry. This $7,500 scholarship will be awarded annually to a retail professional who wishes to develop their management skills to progress their career in a retail environment.
Coursework must be taken within one year. The program may be online or in-person and is subject to approval by the scholarship jury. Some examples of programs include the Center for Creative Leadership, Dale Carnegie Institute - The Women’s Leadership Experience, NYU Executive Education - Leadership Training for High Potentials, LIM Master of Professional Studies in Fashion Merchandising and Retail Management, Drexel MS in Retail and Merchandising (online), or any college-level coursework in management, marketing, or merchandising.
Eligibility
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Full-time employment in a retail jewelry organization is defined as either an independent, regional, national, or global chain
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Must have 3–5 years of retail sales or management experience, and/or broader support roles which include marketing, merchandising, inventory, finance, etc in a retail organization
Application Period: March 1 – May 15, 2026
In Loving Memory
Helene Fortunoff was a trailblazing woman in the jewelry industry, and one of the Women’s Jewelry Association’s founding members back in 1983. She served as President from 1992 – 1995, led the organization’s fashion group for 15 years, and was recognized with WJA’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Helene recognized the importance of a community for women in the industry, as there were few seats at the table four decades ago for women in the jewelry business. She was named chairman of the Gemological Institute of America’s board of governors. The United States Carat Club, a private and prestigious De Beers group, invited Helene to be the first woman member. In recognition of her long
association with Italian jewelry manufacturers, Helene received the honorary appointment as Knight of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy in 1997. In 2001, Helene received the American Gem Society’s Triple Zero Award, and in 2006, received Jewelers of America’s Gem Award for lifetime achievement, which was presented to her by Lauren Bacall, a longtime spokesperson for the Fortunoff brand.
Helene was also an outstanding mentor and believed in the value of supporting her team and developing talent. She carried jewelry by women designers and provided flexible schedules to the employees who were mothers and caregivers.
WJA–Gabriel Love Foundation Student Scholarship
The Gabriel Love Foundation Student Scholarship, offered in partnership with Gabriel & Co. is a $5,000 scholarship awarded to a deserving female student enrolled in non-design coursework within a jewelry, metalsmithing, or watch program at an accredited college, university, or training school.
This scholarship supports students pursuing professional paths such as gemology, appraisal, bench jewelry, watchmaking, retail, merchandising, marketing, or other non-design disciplines within the jewelry and watch industries. Applicants should demonstrate a clear commitment to professional growth, community engagement, and giving back, including how they intend to use their education and career to positively impact their communities and the industry at large.
Eligibility
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Students enrolled between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026
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Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to community impact
Application Period: March 1 – May 15, 2026
About the Gabriel Love™ Foundation
The Gabriel Love™ Foundation was created to extend Gabriel & Co.’s long-standing commitment to philanthropy and community impact. Rooted in the belief that jewelry can be a meaningful expression of life, love, and purpose, the foundation donates a portion of Gabriel & Co.’s profits to support charitable initiatives that improve lives and strengthen communities. Through its partnership with the WJA Foundation, the Gabriel Love™ Foundation helps empower the next generation of women entering the jewelry and watch industries. Click here to learn more about the Gabriel Love™ Foundation.
WJA Foundation Student Scholarships (General)
The WJA Foundation Student Scholarship Program supports female students enrolled in jewelry, metalsmithing, or watch programs at an accredited college, university, or training school between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026.
Scholarship recipients are selected by a jury in early June and are awarded scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $7,000. Due to fund regulations, scholarship funds are paid directly to the educational institution. Recipients must submit their billing statement(s) to info@womensjewelryassociation.org, after which payment will be issued to the school.
Scholarship Categories
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Designer / Creator: Based on images of finished pieces that are both designed and created by the student.
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Designer: Based on original student designs, including CAD renderings and drawings.
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Non-Designer: Based on applications for students studying disciplines such as gemology, appraisal, watchmaking, bench jewelry, and retail.
Eligibility
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Enrolled in a jewelry, metalsmithing, or watch program at an accredited college, university, or training school within the United States between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026.
Application Period: March 1 – May 15, 2026
*Student applicants are offered a complimentary WJA membership by clicking here.
