MajorsJun 08, 2026
Stuller Expands Selection of Lab-Grown Diamonds, Demi-Fine JewelryThe jewelry manufacturer has added Taylor Swift-esque diamond shapes, and more silver, gold vermeil, and gold-plated jewelry.
OtherJul 22, 2014
WJA grants 8 scholarships to jewelry students
Eight students currently studying jewelry and metalsmithing at various colleges across the country and abroad have been awarded scholarships from the Women’s Jewelry Association.
New York--Eight students currently studying jewelry and metalsmithing at various colleges across the country and abroad have been awarded scholarships from the Women’s Jewelry Association.
The scholarships, which total $16,000, will benefit the students for the 2014-2015 school year.
The organization’s annual Awards for Excellence gala, raffle and silent auction raise money for the scholarships, as do member donations, sponsors and financial support from the Marilyn DaSilva Fund, June Herman Fund and Myra Goldstein Scholarship Fund.
The recipients of the scholarships are as follows.
--Melissa Cousins, University of Georgia
$4,000 June Herman Designer/Creator Scholarship Award
Cousins double majors in jewelry and metals and marine biology, and plans to use her scholarship to study intermediate and advanced metals, advanced jewelry, scientific illustration and ceramics. She said her goals are to open her own custom/handmade jewelry shop and become a gemologist.
--Sylvie Alusitz, Rochester Institute of Technology
$2,500 Myra Goldstein Designer/Creator Scholarship Award
Alusitz is majoring in jewelry/metalsmithing and also studying art history, book binding, welding, flame working and the uses of wood, glass, fibers and clay. She has worked as a bench jeweler intern and assistant jeweler at several wholesale and retail jewelry firms.
--Eunwha Son, University of Kansas
$2,000 Marilyn DaSilva Designer/Creator Scholarship Award
Son is in a metals/jewelry graduate program and has won a variety of scholarships in both South Korea and the United States, including receiving the Myra Goldstein WJA Student Scholarship in 2013. Her goal is to obtain a professional position in the jewelry industry, specializing in design within the nexus of art, fashion and fine jewelry.
--Katelyn Butler, Missouri State University
$1,500 Designer/Creator Scholarship Award
Butler is majoring in jewelry/metalsmithing and will be using her scholarship to study 3-D printing, advanced metalsmithing, contemporary art and medieval art. She also has won a separate scholarship to attend the 2014 Society of North American Goldsmiths conference.
--Amanda Ortman, Virginia Commonwealth University
$1,000 Designer/Creator Scholarship
Ortman is a sculpture major and also studies craft and materials, art history and product innovation. She plans to use her scholarship toward classes in ancient Peruvian textiles, advanced sculpture and math modeling.
--Lopeeta Tawde, University of Kansas
$1,000 Designer/Creator Scholarship
Tawde is pursuing a master of fine arts degree in metalsmithing and jewelry design, and plans to use her scholarship toward classes in the Matrix CAD design program, gemology and the history of jewelry. Her ultimate goal is to
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
work as a jewelry artist and pursue a career in academia.
--Maggie Horvath, Savannah College of Art and Design
$2,000 Designer Scholarship
Horvath is studying contemporary jewelry and 3-D visualization as she pursues a master of fine arts in jewelry. She has participated in juried exhibitions, including the Kutztown University exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, and her long-term plan is to become a high school teacher or professor.
--Dorothy Cheng, West Dean College, United Kingdom
$2,000 Non-Designer Scholarship
Cheng is studying for her master’s degree in the conservation of metalwork at West Dean College in England, and has worked as a maker of production, custom and art jewelry. Her goal is to continue her jewelry studio practice while freelancing as a metalwork conservator.
A WJA scholarship jury, headed by Lisa Slovis Mandel, chair of the WJA Scholarship Fund Board of Trustees, evaluated this year’s scholarship applicants. Her committee included WJA representatives from across the country.
Additional information about WJA scholarships and grants can be found on the WJA website.
Editor's note: This story was updated to correct the name of the scholarship winner from the Rochester Institute of Technology. It is Sylvie, not Sylvia, Alusitz.
More on Other
The Latest
SourcingJun 08, 2026
Sally Morrison to Depart De Beers This Summer Morrison has been marketing diamonds on and off since the early 2000s and said she is leaving to “pursue new projects.”
TrendsJun 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: June’s Birthstone TrioThose born in June can celebrate with pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone jewelry.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
TechnologyJun 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings Launches Ring Builder PlatformThe platform allows retailers to guide clients through a customizable engagement ring buying experience in a branded interface.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
SourcingJun 05, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
AGS Honors Late Peter Yantzer, Holds Time Capsule CeremonyThe organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
Neiman Marcus’ Downtown Dallas Store to Close in SeptemberSaks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsJun 01, 2026
Design Atelier Brands Have a Big Night at Emotional Couture Design AwardsThe show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
