WJA Celebrates 25 Years; Honors Yurman, Kaiser

The Women’s Jewelry Association’s 25th annual Awards for Excellence was a festive tribute to the women who founded and nurtured the organization, and two exceptional industry leaders.

Sybil Yurman, president and chief management officer of David Yurman, received the Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award and Steven Kaiser, president and chief executive officer of Kaiser Time, was honored with the Ben Kaiser Award, during the event held July 27 at Chelsea Piers in New York City.

“It’s not often that you get to do what you love and get to do it with someone you love,” Yurman said. She also acknowledged Carolyn Kelly, former jewelry buyer at Saks Fifth Avenue, and now co-owner of Old World Chain, for “helping in the early years.” She spoke about the sense of “family” in the industry and acknowledged “all the people who have taught us so much.”

Kaiser, said his father, after whom his award was named, was ahead of his time for promoting women in the industry. He thanked his mother, Eta, wife, Vivian, and daughter, Emily, and acknowledged his female team, who were in attendance.

WJA’s president Yancy Weinrich, Industry VP, JCK Events (pictured in center with Kaiser and Yurman), recognized the association’s three “Pillar of Distinction” sponsors: Platinum Guild International, Jewelers Mutual Insurance, and David Yurman. She also introduced a special 25th anniversary video that had been produced by Filmworks Inc. and overseen by Anniversary co-chairs Linda Goldstein, a WJA founder and former president, and Billie Sutter, a former national board member. With interviews from many of the influential women responsible for the creation and growth of the organization, it highlighted key initiatives, such as WJA’s Student Scholarships, DIVA Awards, Awards for Excellence and the Women in the Know conferences.

In celebration of WJA’s 25th year, Weinrich announced that $25,000 will be distributed this year in student scholarships, one of the first programs of the national organization when it was established in 1983. WJA’s annual Scholarship Fund is supported by its Silent Auction, held during the Awards for Excellence gala, and donations from companies and individuals. Overseeing the 2008 Silent Auction was Nessi Erkmenoglu of Harper’s Bazaar. 

Mony raised from a drawing for a special Hearts On Fire “Dream” diamond will also be donated to the WJA Scholarship Fund, according to Dinner Chair Lisa Cochin of Diamond Promotion Service.

WJA has had nine presidents, all of whom were celebrated at the event: Gerry Gewirtz, Linda Goldstein, Tina Segal, Helene Fortunoff, Rachel Rosin, Phyllis Bergman, Anna Martin, Ann Arnold, and Ms. Weinrich. Each will receive a special WJA President’s Pin designed by Judith Ripka.


WJA past and current presidents:  (from left):  Ann Arnold, first president 
Gerry Gewirtz, Linda Goldstein, Tina Segal, Phyllis Bergman, Rachel Rosin, 
Helene Fortunoff, current president Yancy Weinrich, and Anna Martin.

In addition, the dinner recognized the past Hall of Fame and Ben Kaiser Award winners, including:  Babette Goodman Cohen and Jane Goodman Baum, Phyllis Bergman, Nancy Brewer, Terry Burman, Bill Boyajian, Ralph Destino, Helene Fortunoff, Mary Forte, June Herman, Laurie Hudson, Juell Kadet, Ben Kaiser, Kathryn Kimmel, Peggy Kirby, Anna Martin, Eunice Robinson Miles, Sallie Morton, Joan Parker, Beryl Raff, Harriet Schreiner, and Hedda Schupak.  


WJA Hall of Fame past recipients with WJA president: (from left) Anna Martin, 
Gerry Gewirtz, Hedda Schupak, Phyllis Bergman, Joan Parker, Peggy Kirby, Kathryn Kimmel, 
Nancy Brewer, Jane Baum, Helene Fortunoff,  with current WJA president Yancy Weinrich.

Other highlights of the evening included Broadway musical selections from Broadway Pops International. To top off the dinner, guests enjoyed a delectable dessert buffet and danced to hip music by DJ Aaron James, sponsored by Harper’s Bazaar.
Source: jckonline

MJWA Elects Officers; Honors Sharon Blair

Dale Gordon, of Gordon Jewelers in Boonville, Mo., was elected president of Missouri Jewelers and Watchmakers Association at the group’s Annual Convention, held in Springfield, April 19-20. Gordon succeeds Leo Anglo, of Vincent’s Jewelers in Creve Coeur. Anglo’s two-year term ended at the meeting.

“It is truly an honor to be elected to this prestigious office,” Gordon says. “I look forward to working with the MJWA board of directors to help our members survive and thrive in this difficult time.”

Also elected to the MJWA Board of Directors were the following officers:

* Stacey Stauch, Crews Jewelry, Grandview, first vice president
* Melody Farnen, Melody’s Quality Jewelers, Mexico, second vice president
* Paul Dodds, Paul Dodds Jewelry, Lee’s Summit, treasurer

During the association’s convention dinner, MJWA honored Sharon Blair, of Shawnee Mission, Kan., on her 25th anniversary as the group’s executive director. Anglo presented Blair with gifts from the board of directors and produced a multimedia tribute, citing Blair’s many accomplishments and successes during her tenure.

David Lafleur, vice president of Jewelers of America, called Blair, ”a tremendous resource to jewelers throughout Missouri and a wonderful and supportive colleague to her peers in other JA affiliates around the country.” 


Carolyn Pope of Crews Jewelry in Grandview, and a past president of
MJWA presents an award to Sharon Blair to mark Blair’s 25th anniversary
as the group’s executive director.

Founded in 1906, MJWA is among the oldest state associations of jewelry professionals in the United States.
Source: jckonline

WJA DIVA 2008 Design Competition

Applications are now being accepted for the annual Women's Jewelry Association DIVA Design Competition. The deadline for online entries is April 18. The competition is open to all women.

The theme of the competition is "platinum weddings," sponsored by Platinum Guild International. Women designers can compete in five categories arranged under three topics. They are as follows:

Two People, Three Platinum Rings
The engagement ring symbolizes the promise, while the wedding bands represent the commitment that a couple makes to each other. Your challenge as a jewelry designer is to depict these three rings using platinum—because the very best relationship is deserving of the world’s most precious metal.

Category #1 - Every Day Bridal ring trio suite (retail below $5k not counting center stone)

Category #2 - DIVA Bridal ring trio suite (retail above $5k)

Platinum Bride
Platinum jewels to adorn the bride and her girls to help them sparkle and shine.

Category #3 - Simply elegant jewels for the bride or bridal party (retail below $5k)

Category #4 -- DIVA bridal jewels for the bride or bridal party (retail above $5k)

Colorful Engagements & Weddings in Platinum
Today’s weddings/engagements are personalized; use natural color diamonds set in
platinum to celebrate your unique love.

Category #5 - One fabulous design showcasing natural color diamonds set in platinum.

First place winners in each category will receive $1,000 and a promotional and educational package from PGI. The category 5 winner will also receive a promotional and educational package from the Natural Color Diamond Association.

Designers can enter online with either a rendering or a finished jewel. Online entries must include specifically sized digital image of your design.

New this year is our online entry system. Designers can enter either renderings or actual jewels. However, competitors must submit digital images via our online application system. If it’s a problem contact Cindy Edelstein, competition chair, at 914-738-8485 or cindyedelstein@aol.com.

For a complete package of information, click here.
Source: jckonline

Women’s Jewelry Association Celebrates 25 Years

The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) recently held its 25th anniversary celebration at Gracie Mansion in New York City. The event was attended by new and current WJA members, who shared stories and toasted to achievements made by women in the jewelry industry.

The new president of WJA Metropolitan Chapter, Michele Kwiat Siegel, in her welcoming speech called it a “magical evening [bringing] together the rich history of WJA’s members within one of New York’s most prized historical venues.” The honorary guest of the evening was Peggy Kirby, one the founding members of WJA in 1983.
Source: idexonline

THE WOMEN'S JEWELRY ASSOCIATION APPOINTS NEW PRESIDENT AND OFFICERS

The Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) has appointed Yancy Weinrich, the Industry Vice President for Luxury by JCK and JCK-Las Vegas, as its new president.

Weinrich has more than 12 years of experience in the fine jewelry and watch industry and has been a member of the WJA National Board since 2000. Weinrich has also served on the Executive Board in a number of capacities including Secretary, Treasurer and President-Elect.

Yancy Weinrich, the ninth president of the WJA, will serve for a total of two years. Her appointment coincides with the organization's 25^th year anniversary.

The WJA has also appointed new officers to its National Board including: President-Elect Kendra Bridel-Weinman, Tache; Immediate Past President & Co-Vice President Fundraising Ann Arnold; Treasurer Gena Alulis, SuperFit; Secretary Phyllis Bergman, Mercury Ring Corp; Vice President, Co-Chair of Fundraising Anna Martin, ABN AMRO Bank; Vice President, Events Michelle Orman, Lup Communications; Vice President, Chapter Affairs, Sue Elliot, GIA; Vice President, Membership Ronni Klein, Displays and More; Pennella, Maurcice Lacroix USA; Vice President, Mentorship Cindy Edelstein.

The Women's Jewelry Association was founded in 1983 and has a network of 12 regional chapters. The WJA offers its members educational and networking opportunities in addition to scholarships, design competitions, annual women's business conferences, and recognition programs.
Source: diamondintelligence