Women's Jewelry Association (WJA)

Say hello to Rachel Akmakjian, the new President of the @WJAChicago Chapter! Rachel’s love for diamonds began early—while other kids had lemonade stands, she was running “diamond stands,” selling rocks and pinecones as precious gems to her neighbors. That childhood spark grew into a dynamic career spanning retail, diamond wholesale, jewelry insurance, and a marketing role in London’s diamond industry. A Graduate Gemologist from GIA, Rachel is the Founder and CEO of Ariane Diamonds and the Director of Jeweler Relations at BriteCo, a leading jewelry and watch insurance provider. With a deep love for the trade and a powerful industry voice, she’s committed to supporting professionals and clients as they navigate the world of fine jewelry. We’re thrilled to welcome her leadership in Chicago! #WJAChicago #WomensJewelryAssociation #ArianeDiamonds #BriteCo #WomenInJewelry #JewelryLeadership #GIAAlumni #FineJewelryCommunity

✨ Jumpstart Your Jewelry Career with the 2025 Student Scholarship / Gabriel Love Foundation Scholarship! ✨ The WJA Foundation, in partnership with the Gabriel Love Foundation, is awarding scholarships up to $7,000 to female-identifying students in accredited jewelry or metalsmithing programs. One exceptional Non-Designer applicant will receive a $5,000 Gabriel Love Foundation Scholarship for their commitment to community impact. ✔ Enrolled between Aug 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026 ✔ Open to design + non-design students Categories: ✅ Designer (CAD/drawings) ✅ Designer & Creator (finished pieces) ✅ Non-Designer (gemologists, watchmakers, appraisers, etc.) 🔗 APPLICATION LINK: https://lnkd.in/eJDgvZn2 Apply between March 1 – April 30, 2025! #WJAFoundation #GabrielLoveScholarship #JewelryStudents #DesignYourFuture #WomenInJewelry

✨ Advance Your Career with the 2025 Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail Scholarship! ✨ The WJA Foundation, in partnership with the Fortunoff family, is proud to honor the legacy of Helene Fortunoff, a trailblazer in the jewelry industry and a champion for women in retail. This prestigious $7,500 scholarship is awarded annually to a retail professional seeking to develop their leadership and management skills to advance their career in a retail environment. ✔ Must be a WJA member or join upon receiving the scholarship. This scholarship supports college-level coursework or training programs in management, marketing, merchandising, or leadership development at institutions like: ✅ 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) … and more! 🔗 LINK TO APPLY: https://lnkd.in/eVcN22KR #WJAFoundation #HeleneFortunoff #WomenInRetail #JewelryIndustry #Leadership #CareerGrowth

The Women’s Jewelry Association is delighted to welcome Melissa Rodgers as our new VP of Education & Mentoring on the 2025 Board of Directors! With a rich background in fashion and fine jewelry, Melissa transitioned from co-founding a renowned SoHo boutique to becoming a key leader in the jewelry industry. As the Director of Strategic Development at M. Schamroth & Sons, a fourth-generation diamond house, she brings deep expertise in brand and product development, marketing, and training. Melissa holds credentials as an Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP) and is a Graduate in Pearls from GIA. She has also completed the DeBeers Synthetic Diamonds Detection Course, reinforcing her commitment to industry excellence. Passionate about mentoring and empowering women in business, Melissa is dedicated to fostering growth and education within the WJA community. Please join us in welcoming Melissa to the WJA Board! #WomensJewelryAssociation #WJACommunity #Leadership #JewelryIndustry #Mentorship #BusinessDevelopment

The 2025 Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship is now open! This scholarship honors Cindy Edelstein’s legacy of supporting and nurturing jewelry designers by providing funding for WJA members to advance their artistry or jewelry business. 📌 Eligibility: Open to female or female-identifying WJA members in good standing. 📚 Fields of Study: Design or business courses related to improving jewelry artistry or entrepreneurship. 📅 Application Period: March 1 – April 30, 2025 This is your opportunity to invest in your passion and take your jewelry career to the next level! Apply now and carry forward Cindy’s vision for the jewelry industry. APPLICATION LINK: https://lnkd.in/eM55jG7z #WJAFoundation #CindyEdelsteinScholarship #JewelryDesign #WomenInJewelry #JewelryEntrepreneurs

✨ Unlock new opportunities with a WJA Membership! ✨ The 2025 Angel Fund is here to support women in the jewelry industry by providing complimentary WJA memberships—connecting you with valuable resources, mentorship, and a powerful network. Apply by April 30, 2025 for your chance to receive a one-year WJA membership! LINK TO APPLY: https://lnkd.in/dfhdXgdQ #WJA #AngelFund #JewelryIndustry #WomenInJewelry #CareerGrowth

The Women’s Jewelry Association is delighted to welcome Robert J. Goldberg as our new VP of Governance & Development on the 2025 Board of Directors! With extensive experience in global retail, direct sales, and board leadership, Robert has played a key role in shaping some of the world's most recognized brands, including Citizen Watch America, Cole Haan, Avon, and GUESS? His career has spanned over 85 countries, covering accessories, apparel, home, kids, and jewelry & watch products. Beyond his corporate leadership, Robert has dedicated his expertise to non-profit governance. He has served on the Executive Committee of the DC History Center in partnership with Apple and has been an appointed chair and committee member for local governments. His experience as an advisor and board member for private organizations makes him an invaluable addition to WJA. In this role, Robert will focus on strengthening governance structures and driving strategic development to support our growing community. Please join us in welcoming Robert to the WJA Board! #WomensJewelryAssociation #WJACommunity #Leadership #JewelryIndustry #BusinessDevelopment

The Women’s Jewelry Association proudly recognizes JACQUELINE CASSAWAY for her continued leadership and dedication as she steps into her role as Past President on the 2025 Board of Directors. With over 35 years of experience in the luxury retail sector of the jewelry and watch industries, Jacqueline has been a guiding force in WJA’s mission. As the CEO of Diamond Wealth Ventures and a respected industry executive, she has made a lasting impact through her global expertise and commitment to professional development. Since joining WJA’s International Board of Directors in 2018, Jacqueline has been a champion for women’s advancement in the industry. Her tenure as President set a strong foundation for growth, and we are grateful for her continued contributions to our community. “It is my privilege and honor as a Past President of the Women’s Jewelry Association to serve once again as an International Board of Directors Officer. Supporting WJA’s mission and vision of women’s advancement and professional development within the jewelry and watch industries.“ Please join us in celebrating Jacqueline and thanking her for her outstanding leadership! #WomensJewelryAssociation #WJACommunity #Leadership #JewelryIndustry #WomenInBusiness

The Women’s Jewelry Association is thrilled to welcome Robyn Fields as our new Secretary and Membership Chair on the 2025 Board of Directors! With over 25 years of experience in the jewelry industry, Robyn brings a wealth of knowledge in design, merchandising, sales, and business development. Her expertise spans both wholesale and retail, from traditional and outlet markets to e-commerce and television. As an entrepreneur and industry leader, Robyn successfully founded and managed her own fine jewelry and clothing boutique. She is widely recognized as an authority in both fine and costume jewelry and currently serves as Vice President of Sales at Goldstar in New York City. In this role, Robyn will lead efforts to expand and strengthen our WJA community, fostering meaningful connections and growing membership. Please join us in congratulating Robyn and welcoming her to the Board! #WomensJewelryAssociation #WJACommunity #Leadership #JewelryIndustry #WomenInBusiness

We're thrilled to highlight the outstanding career path of our member Lindsey Scoggins, a visionary leader in the fine jewelry industry. Lindsay recently shared her inspiring journey on the "How She Got There" podcast, where she discussed her career evolution from architecture to high-end jewelry design and global sourcing. Check out the link below to learn more about Lindsey’s journey and her transformative contributions to the industry: 🔊 Listen to How She Got There podcast: https://lnkd.in/eJMECU_H 💍 Lindsey's designs: https://lnkd.in/e3rgv2Q 🔗 LinkStudio: https://lnkd.in/etb2nTz3