MJSA Foundation Scholarships
Supporting the next generation of jewelry professionals
Every year, talented students from across the United States look for help in realizing a shared dream: to have a successful career in designing and making jewelry. And thanks to the MJSA Education Foundation, we can help to provide some of the financial support they need.
Since 1997, the Education Foundation has awarded more than $290,000 to aspiring jewelers (including $30,000+ donated by the Providence Jewelers Club). All funds are managed by the Rhode Island Foundation on behalf of MJSA.
Who Can Apply
Any student enrolled in a jewelry program, who intends to pursue a career in the jewelry industry and can demonstrate financial need, is eligible to apply. Applicants are assessed on the basis of course of study, academics, career plans, recommendations, and industry experience. Students must be U.S. citizens.
The MJSA Education Foundation Scholarship Group is administered by the Rhode Island Foundation.
Applications for the 2027 scholarships will open in January. Please check back for updates.
2027 Scholarship Winner Profiles
Read more about several of this year’s scholarship winners
Lianna Carter
West Hempstead, New York
Lianna Carter is a graduate of both the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (where she received her B.A. in mass media communications) and Duke University (where she earned certification in paralegal studies in 2021). She has been working as a paralegal during the past several years (most recently for NASCAR), but her true passion lies in jewelry making and metalsmithing. She recently completed the GIA’s Jewelry Essentials online course and is now eager to begin hands-on training at New Approach.
Pursuing training at the New Approach School for Jewelers in Arrington, Tennessee. She expects to complete the school’s Bench Jeweler Comprehensive course in 2026.
Professional Goals: “I’ve always loved jewelry. My grandmother was a devoted Tiffany & Co. collector, and growing up, I was drawn to the timeless elegance and craftsmanship of those pieces. That has grown into a love for jewelry making, particularly the artistry of wax carving. I am excited to continue developing my skills and see where this journey leads. My long-term goal is to build a jewelry brand of my own.”
Lauren Edwards
Oak Park, Illinois
Lauren Edwards’ fascination with art and fashion dates to her childhood. In middle and high school she painted extensively, taking as many art classes as possible, and for several years served an apprenticeship to a master mosaic artist. She also began making and selling jewelry while a freshman in high school—”I loved making artwork that people could interact with and wear,” she says. “I’ve found my mosaic background gives me a unique approach to jewelry; they are both like solving a puzzle and piecing together a work of art. I love the tactile nature of jewelry … how I can begin with raw materials like casting grain and stones, and can use my hands to execute my vision.”
Entering her senior year at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia, where she’s studying jewelry design with a minor in art history. She expects to graduate in spring 2027 with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in jewelry.
Professional Goals: “My goal is to get a job at as a designer or stone setter in the high jewelry sector. I dream of making it in New York, Paris, or Milan. I want to learn as much as I can from leaders in the field and become a great designer. When I feel I’m ready, I plan on moving back home to Chicago and creating my own brand. I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit and want to leave a lasting impact on the high jewelry industry and art world as a whole.”
Thomas Koslowski
South Bridge, Massachusetts
Thomas’s passion for jewelry began during his junior year of high school when he enrolled in a Small Metals course. Through this experience, he developed a foundation in fabrication techniques using materials such as copper, brass, and wire while learning to transform his ideas into thoughtfully crafted pieces. His dedication to the craft led him to complete an internship assisting with the development and organization of a jewelry classroom studio. At SCAD, Thomas has made it his mission to continuously expand his skills and understanding of the jewelry world. Beyond the design process, he is eager to learn more about the business operations, collaboration, and professional practices that allow successful jewelry companies to thrive.
Studying jewelry design and pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia. He is entering his junior year.
Professional goals: In the future, Thomas hopes to work alongside an established jewelry company, gaining insight into the creative, technical, and operational aspects of the industry while contributing to a professional design team. He intends to create meaningful work that combines craftsmanship, innovation, and emotion while continuing to learn from the talented industry professionals.
Erin Perry
Portland, Oregon
A year ago, Erin Perry took a goldsmithing workshop through Portland’s, Creative Metal Arts Guild, decided to pursue jewelry as a profession. “The experience was a pivotal moment in my life,” she says. After several years of working in real estate and restaurants, she decided to change the direction of her career and pursue jewelry as a profession. She chose to attend Portland Jewelry Academy “because of its rigorous 40-hour- per-week schedule, which prioritizes the development of muscle memory and technical precision through constant, supervised bench time .. PJA mimics a real-world trade shop environment.”
Attending the Portland Jewelry Academy, where she is studying for a certificate in advanced fabrication and manufacturing techniques. She expects to complete her studies at the school by the end of 2026.
Professional goals: “My immediate professional goal upon completion is to secure a position as a junior bench jeweler in a high- volume manufacturing or repair facility. I believe that working under a Master Jeweler is essential to developing the “bench speed” and diagnostic problem-solving skills that only come from real-world experience. My long-term ambition is to leverage this technical mastery to launch my own independent studio, where I can combine traditional fabrication techniques with modern CAD manufacturing to create high-end, custom-designed jewelry.”