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Scholarships
The WJA Foundation provides scholarships to female-identifying students enrolled in jewelry, metalsmithing, or watch programs at an accredited college, university, or training school between August 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025. Recipients are selected by a jury in early June and are awarded scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $7,000.
Scholarships are awarded in three categories:
- Designer/Creator (based on images of finished pieces that are designed and created by the student)
- Designer (based on designs by the student, including CAD and drawings)
- Non-Designer (essay-based for those studying to be a gemologist, appraiser, watchmaker, bench jeweler, or retailer)
Due to fund regulations, scholarships are paid directly to the school. Recipients must email their bill(s) to WJA Headquarters, and a check will be sent directly to the institution.
Eligibility:
- Female or female-identifying student
- Enrolled in jewelry, metalsmithing, or watch program at an accredited college, university, or training school within the United States
Student applicants are offered a complimentary WJA membership by clicking here.
For questions about this scholarship, email us: info@womensjewelryassociation.org
APPLICATION PERIOD: MARCH 1 - APRIL 30, 2025
This application is currently closed.
The WJA Foundation's Hedda Schupak-Baum Memorial Media and Communications Scholarship will be awarded to individual(s) working in the fine jewelry industry. Established in the longtime editor’s honor in 2024, the scholarship supports 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.
Training Program / Coursework Criteria
This scholarship, valued at $7,500, is designed to support individuals pursuing coursework relevant to their professional development within the fine jewelry industry. 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:
- Employed full-time in the fine jewelry industry, specifically in roles related to media production and dissemination (e.g., magazine and newspaper editors, freelance writers and editors, podcast hosts, and social media content creators).
- Must have at least one year of experience reporting or communicating about fine jewelry and watch industry news, trends, and/or profiles of companies, brands, or designers.
- Open to female or female-identifying applicants.
- Applicants must be in current standing as a member of WJA or join WJA upon receipt of the scholarship.
For questions please send an email to info@womensjewelryassociation.org.
APPLICATION PERIOD: MARCH 1 - APRIL 30, 2025
This application is currently closed.
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The WJA Foundation established the Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship in memory of one of the
jewelry industry’s most beloved and respected members who died suddenly in 2016 of cardiac arrest. In
memory of Edelstein's unwavering commitment to WJA and the careers of women, only women who are
current WJA members are eligible to apply for this $5,000 scholarship. The recipient can pursue either
design or business courses.
In Loving Memory
editor that gave her the opportunity to fall in love with jewelry designers and their work. She founded
Jeweler's Resource Bureau (JRB) in 1991 with one goal -- to support the growth of designer fine jewelry
as a retail category, an art form, and a community. Over the years she and her husband, Frank Stankus,
who joined JRB in 1996, built a menu of marketing and publishing services that offers expert advice,
custom publications, and the kind of targeted marketing tools that designer entrepreneurs need to run
their businesses most effectively. Stankus continues to operate JRB today.
In 2000, Edelstein and JRB launched the first American trade show on the craft show circuit to include
international studio jewelers, called globalDESIGN. This event is held annually at the American Craft
Council's American Craft Show in Baltimore each February. Stankus continues to manage globalDESIGN
for JRB.
In 1990, Edelstein received the WJA Award for Editorial Excellence. In 1995, she was awarded the
prestigious Benne Award by the American Jewelry Design Council. In 1996, she was the winner of the
Contemporary Design Group's award as Best Designer Advocate. And in 2001 she was recognized again
by WJA with an Excellence in Marketing award.
Eligibility
-Open to female or female-identifying applicants.-Must be an active WJA member in current standing.
-The recipient may pursue either design or business courses, provided they are focused on improving
her artistry and/or her designer jewelry business.
APPLICATION PERIOD: MARCH 1 - APRIL 30, 2025
This application is currently closed.
WJA Foundation, Jewelers Mutual, and Black in Jewelry Coalition have partnered to offer a business technology scholarship to attract new talent and strengthen the industry’s talent pool in technology and business operations roles to honor our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Technology plays a vital role in the jewelry and watch industry. New technologies are emerging every day from e-commerce platforms, CAD, 3D printing, and augmented reality. Companies need to keep up with these trends to stay relevant and competitive.
The technology sector lags behind gender diversity. According to recent statistics, although women make up almost half of the workforce in the United States, women are still underrepresented in technology. And among the 25% of women working in technology, women of color are profoundly underrepresented - with Black and Latinx women accounting for only 3% and 1%, respectively. A 2020 report from McKinsey found that diverse companies perform better, hire better talent, have more engaged employees, and retain workers better than companies that do not focus on diversity and inclusion.
The Radiant Minds Technology Scholarship is available to women of color inside and outside the industry, interested in serving in organizational roles in the jewelry industry that require technological skill sets related to front and back-end development, user experience design, and coding.
The selected scholarship recipient will be awarded funding up to $17,500 to pay for a training and certification program at an agreed-upon institute or school. During this program, the recipient will also have exposure to various leaders within the Jewelers Mutual organization for guidance and advice.
Training and Certification Program Criteria
This scholarship is valued at up to $17,500 for a training and certification program. 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 Flatiron School (software engineering, data science, or product design) or General Assembly (software engineering or UX design).
Eligibility:
· Must be age 18 or older to apply
· Currently enrolled in a training and certification program or show proof of acceptance to a training and certification program starting by the fall of 2024
· Applicant must be based in the United States
· Applicant identifies as a woman of color
For questions about this scholarship, please email us: info@womensjewelryassociation.org
APPLICATION PERIOD: MARCH 1 - APRIL 30, 2025
This application is currently closed.
The Women's Jewelry Association Foundation (WJAF) is committed to advancing women's careers in the jewelry and watch industry through professional development and educational opportunities.
Our Foundation, in collaboration with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), is offering scholarships for GIA education (both online and in-person) for students who qualify* and wish to advance their careers in the gem and jewelry industry. To further our goal of providing access and opportunities to WJA members from underserved and underrepresented communities, this scholarship is open to BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ applicants.
Through its giving, the Foundation believes in supporting underserved and underrepresented communities to help increase their career opportunities and bolster their passion and professional education within the jewelry industry.
Eligibility:
- Must be a WJA member in current standing or join WJA upon receipt of scholarship
- Identifies as a member from an underserved and underrepresented community, including BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+
- Use the funds for one of four indicated GIA education offerings or to register for a course or lab class to finish current GIA credential
- In addition to meeting WJA’s Diversity Scholarship criteria, applicants must meet GIA’s admissions requirements at the of the scholarship application, as published in the Education Catalog
APPLICATION PERIOD: MARCH 1 - APRIL 30, 2025
This application is currently closed.
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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. In memory of Helene’s unwavering commitment to pave
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.
In Loving Memory
Helene Fortunoff was a trailblazing woman in the jewelry industry, and one of the Women’s JewelryAssociation’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.
Eligibility
Training Program / Coursework CriteriaThis scholarship is valued for up to $7,500. 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.
Applicant Criteria
-Must be currently employed full-time in a retail jewelry store defined as either an independent,
regional, national, or global chain.
-Must have 3-5 years retail sales/ management experience (sales professional, assistant manager, or
store manager) and/or broader support roles which include marketing, merchandising, inventory,
finance, etc. in a retail organization
-Open to female or female-identifying applicants.
-Must be a WJA member in current standing or join WJA upon receipt of scholarship.
APPLICATION PERIOD: MARCH 1 - APRIL 30, 2025
This application is currently closed.
The WJA-Gabriel Love Foundation Student Scholarship in partnership with Gabriel & Co. is a $5,000 scholarship awarded to a deserving female student enrolled in non-design courses through a jewelry, metalsmithing or watch program at an accredited college, university, or training school (between August 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025). This scholarship has been established to help provide funding for students to achieve professional growth within the jewelry and watch industries and in their communities at large. Consideration will be given to students who can clearly articulate a desire to participate in charitable efforts in the future or how they will use their career in jewelry/watches to improve communities.
Applications for this scholarship are open to members and non-members of the Women's Jewelry Association. Applicants must complete the online application, which is part of the student scholarship application and selection process.
If you have questions about this scholarship, please send an email to info@womensjewelryassociation.org.
APPLICATION PERIOD: MARCH 1 - APRIL 30, 2025
This application is currently closed.
(Gabriel Love is part of the student scholarship application & selection process).
About Gabriel & Co.:
Gabriel & Co. is a New York City-based jewelry design house that was founded in 1989 by brothers Jack and Dominick Gabriel. Family-owned and operated, the company began in New York City and has since evolved into one of the most prolific fine jewelry brands in the U.S., sold at more than 1,200 retailers nationwide. The story of Gabriel & Co. is one of passion, integrity, service, and trust. Gabriel creates beautifully unique and distinctive pieces that are designed to reflect the true beauty that is unique in all of us. Each piece is passionately designed and created as a crafted personal experience. By infusing human passion into natural elements, Gabriel creates jewelry that enhances and celebrates beauty and personal achievements. Individually numbered, each piece is as unique as the woman who wears it. Gabriel & Co. has consistently won awards since 2011 in both JCK & Instore Magazines for being one of the most innovative and best-performing brands in the jewelry industry.
The Gabriel Love™ Foundation was created to continue Gabriel’s history of philanthropy and to expand its charitable arm. We have dedicated our work of designing and creating jewelry to realize this vision as a way to share our love of life. By donating a portion of our profits that support philanthropic efforts, we have established our pathways toward improving life and helping those who are in need to a better future.
Click here to view recent grant and scholarship winners.
Contribute a tax-deductible gift to the Foundation to support our grant and scholarship programs.
