SourcingApr 26, 2022
De Beers Sinks $2M Into Startup That Grows Kelp Forests Events & AwardsApr 27, 2022
WJA Takes Emerging Designer Mentorship Program Nationwide
De Beers is supporting the initiative.
New York—With support from De Beers, the Women’s Jewelry Association is expanding a jewelry design business incubator program across North America.
WJA chapter leaders in northern California created the Jewelry Loupe Project in 2019.
It sees new designers and emerging brands partner with industry mentors for individual support, as well as monthly instruction for the entire incubator group from expert contributors who work across the jewelry supply chain.
Past President of WJA’s Northern California Chapter and co-founder of San Francisco jewelry store FiatLux Marie McCarthy said: “I developed the Jewelry Loupe Project to not only assist emerging designers, as most mentorships do, but also to build a strong community of dynamic jewelers aided by a large group of industry veterans.
“From there, most participants actively aid in the program beyond their year, essentially paying it forward and continually fostering a large community network of jewelers.”
Now, De Beers is partnering with WJA to expand the Jewelry Loupe Project across North America, offering it to more designers with an emphasis on those from underserved and underrepresented communities, WJA said, such as BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ designers.
The project commenced this month, with 14 new and emerging designers selected to participate out of more than 100 applicants.
In addition to monthly Zoom meetings with their assigned mentors, designers will hear from experts via virtual sessions.
Topics and experts are as follows.
• Concept and design with Prerna Sethi and Lauren Harwell Godfrey
• Marketing and branding with Temi Adamoleukun and Alexei Angelides
• Wholesale and retail partnerships with Lauren Wolf and Alicia Goodwin
• Sourcing and materials with Jared Holstein and Noelle Habib
• Tradeshows and sales with Morgan Miller and Randi Molofsky
• Packaging with Scott Wolfe
• E-Commerce with Ariel Gordon Maffei
The six-month mentorship program concludes in September with a final studio critique in which designers share their collections with a formal sales pitch. Mentors and WJA representatives give feedback.
De Beers is also offering incubator designers complimentary access to its Diamond Foundation course.
President of De Beers North America Charles Stanley said, “One of De Beers’ company visions and goals for the future is to accelerate economic inclusion and support diverse voices to help shape the future of our business, communities, and society.
“We are proud to support WJA in the 2022 Jewelry Loupe Project as we are aligned in our core values.”
More information on the project is available online.
Those interested in acting as future mentors or sponsoring the project can contact WJA Membership and Operations Manager Rachel Jurisz at rachel@womensjewelryassociation.com.
Related stories will be right here …
WJA chapter leaders in northern California created the Jewelry Loupe Project in 2019.
It sees new designers and emerging brands partner with industry mentors for individual support, as well as monthly instruction for the entire incubator group from expert contributors who work across the jewelry supply chain.
Past President of WJA’s Northern California Chapter and co-founder of San Francisco jewelry store FiatLux Marie McCarthy said: “I developed the Jewelry Loupe Project to not only assist emerging designers, as most mentorships do, but also to build a strong community of dynamic jewelers aided by a large group of industry veterans.
“From there, most participants actively aid in the program beyond their year, essentially paying it forward and continually fostering a large community network of jewelers.”
Now, De Beers is partnering with WJA to expand the Jewelry Loupe Project across North America, offering it to more designers with an emphasis on those from underserved and underrepresented communities, WJA said, such as BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ designers.
The project commenced this month, with 14 new and emerging designers selected to participate out of more than 100 applicants.
In addition to monthly Zoom meetings with their assigned mentors, designers will hear from experts via virtual sessions.
Topics and experts are as follows.
• Concept and design with Prerna Sethi and Lauren Harwell Godfrey
• Marketing and branding with Temi Adamoleukun and Alexei Angelides
• Wholesale and retail partnerships with Lauren Wolf and Alicia Goodwin
• Sourcing and materials with Jared Holstein and Noelle Habib
• Tradeshows and sales with Morgan Miller and Randi Molofsky
• Packaging with Scott Wolfe
• E-Commerce with Ariel Gordon Maffei
The six-month mentorship program concludes in September with a final studio critique in which designers share their collections with a formal sales pitch. Mentors and WJA representatives give feedback.
De Beers is also offering incubator designers complimentary access to its Diamond Foundation course.
President of De Beers North America Charles Stanley said, “One of De Beers’ company visions and goals for the future is to accelerate economic inclusion and support diverse voices to help shape the future of our business, communities, and society.
“We are proud to support WJA in the 2022 Jewelry Loupe Project as we are aligned in our core values.”
More information on the project is available online.
Those interested in acting as future mentors or sponsoring the project can contact WJA Membership and Operations Manager Rachel Jurisz at rachel@womensjewelryassociation.com.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Supplier BulletinJun 30, 2022
Here’s Where You’ll Find The Best Online Jewelry AuctionsSponsored by HiBid
CrimeJun 30, 2022
What JSA’s Annual Report Tells Us About Jewelry Crime in 2021Plus, JSA President John Kennedy talks about the trajectory of industry crime over the last 20 years.
CrimeJun 30, 2022
Smash-and-Grab Robbers Hit Booth at TEFAF: Watch the VideoThe fair was evacuated temporarily Tuesday after four suspects smashed a showcase and stole jewelry from British jeweler Symbolic & Chase.
Brought to you by
Preparing for Proposal Season with High-Quality, A.I.-Graded Natural Diamonds Rare & Forever is helping to create an enjoyable diamond buying experience for the millions of newly-engaged couples.
AuctionsJun 29, 2022
Bonhams Expands Again with Purchase of Paris Auction House It is the fifth acquisition under the ownership of private equity firm Epiris, which bought Bonhams in 2018.
Weekly QuizJun 23, 2022
This Week’s QuizTest your knowledge of the latest jewelry news with this quick test.
MajorsJun 29, 2022
Zales Has a New Diamond CutThe “Celebration Infinite” diamond has more than three times the number of facets in a traditional brilliant-cut diamond, the retailer said.
WatchesJun 29, 2022
Bulova Introduces New Frank Sinatra WatchesThe brand again partnered with the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School to celebrate the launch of the “Summer Wind” watches.
Brought to you by
Discover The Extraordinary Italian Jewelry In Las Vegas!Experience all the Italian Jewelry market has to offer in Las Vegas.
SurveysJun 29, 2022
U.S. Platinum Jewelry Demand Starts 2022 on a Strong NoteRetail ounce sales were up 23 percent year-over-year in Q1, according to the recent Platinum Jewellery Business Review.
Events & AwardsJun 29, 2022
Registration Is Now Open for the HardRock Summit 2022Scheduled for Sept. 8-11, the event will comprise more than 310,000 square feet of show floor, exhibits, and education space.
ColumnistsJun 28, 2022
The PR Adviser: Why Should Someone Buy From You?If you’re having trouble answering this question, columnist Lilian Raji can help you get a started with a few fill-in-the-blank statements.
IndependentsJun 28, 2022
This Jeweler Is Celebrating 40 Years With 40 Days of GiveawaysContinental Diamond in Minneapolis is awarding a total of $25,000 in prizes via daily sweepstakes.
CollectionsJun 28, 2022
Melissa Kaye’s New Collection Doubles the Color“Lenox” marks the designer’s foray into bespoke jewels and large colored gemstones.
Events & AwardsJun 28, 2022
Second AGS Virtual Education Conference Is All About Negotiation Skills“Confluence” is happening in August.
MajorsJun 27, 2022
George Holmes, Longtime Head Editor of JCK Magazine, Dies at 93 He first took a job at then Philadelphia-based Jewelers’ Circular-Keystone in 1963 and retired in 1996.
MajorsJun 27, 2022
Mayors, Analog:Shift Team Up With GoopThe lifestyle platform will stock fine jewelry and watches from the retailers on its website and in store.
CrimeJun 27, 2022
JSA Warns of ‘Pandemic’ of Distraction Thefts Nationwide It cited two recent cases in California, plus incidents in Florida, Kansas, and Illinois.
IndependentsJun 27, 2022
Lewis Jewelers Set to Open New Ann Arbor Store This SummerThe 10,000-square-foot location allows for expanded collections from design partners while continuing custom design and other services.
CollectionsJun 27, 2022
This Designer Has Found a New Way to Bring Gemstones to LifeSvetlana Lazar’s “Wishing Well” collection utilizes an innovative component to mimic the movement of water beneath them.
Recorded WebinarsJun 24, 2022
Vegas Jewelry Recap: The Editors Weigh InWatch the webinar in which National Jeweler’s editors talk about jewelry market week trends and their predictions for the rest of 2022.
MajorsJun 24, 2022
Banter by Piercing Pagoda Celebrates Pride with ‘SayGay’ NecklaceAll proceeds up to $25,000 will benefit the It Gets Better Project, a nonprofit that supports LGBTQ+ youth.
CollectionsJun 24, 2022
Piece of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Hidden Message LocketIt’s a reminder that life is best lived with discretion.
TechnologyJun 24, 2022
Cloud-Based POS Software Jewel360 Launches for Jewelry RetailersThe end-to-end software allows for real-time control over all sales, inventory, repairs, customer communications, and marketing.
EditorsJun 23, 2022
Antique Show Observations From a First-Time AttendeeAssociate Editor Lenore Fedow shares her impressions of the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show and a few of her favorite finds.
GradingJun 23, 2022
AIGS Launches Grading Report for ‘Santa Maria’ AquamarineThe Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences aims to set a color standard for the trade name.
SourcingJun 23, 2022
Rough Diamond Sales Rise Again for De Beers Sales were up 36 percent year-over-year in June and are pacing 24 percent ahead of last year at this point.
