Scholarships
Cover costs for industry courses and tuition
Jewelers of America’s scholarships help students further their professional careers in the industry and grow your staff’s knowledge.
Jewelers of America Scholarship Program
Any employee of a JA member company can apply for JA’s scholarship program from the following institutions: American Gem Society (AGS), Diamond Council of America (DCA), Gemological Institute of America (GIA), JA Bench Professional Certification (JA) and National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA).
JA MEMBER BENEFIT
The Jewelers of America Scholarship Program is open to JA members only.
Applications are closed for 2026.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Scholarships are awarded on the availability of funds through the application deadline
- Employees of JA Member companies must be at least 18 years of age
- Applicants must have at least one year’s experience working at a JA member store and are not already be enrolled in another home study course from any of the educational providers.
Courses Covered Under JA Scholarships
The following courses are available for the 2026 scholarship period. Course eligibility is subject to change.
The Certified Sales Associate Program consists of two parts:
- The Graduate Sales Associate Course: contains pertinent facts on diamonds, colored stones, pearls, metals, watches and period jewelry, along with information about the jewelry industry and the importance of good customer service and professionalism
- The AGS 101 Course: overview of the AGS mission, vision and values, and what it means to uphold the AGS Standards.
Diamond Course
Presents a complete discussion of the subject of diamonds and how to accurately and effectively use this knowledge in retail environments
Colored Gemstone Course
An overview of the colored gemstone market and how to skillfully use this knowledge in everyday store operations
Beginning Jewelry Sales Course
Designed to provide fast and effective basic training for retail jewelry sales associates
Advanced Jewelry Sales Course
An in-depth analysis of the selling process, approaching the sale from the three key standpoints of customers, communications, and merchandise
GIA offers the following courses:
- Jewelry Essentials
- Colored Stone Essentials
- Diamond Essentials
- Colored Stones
- Diamonds & Diamond Grading
- Gem Identification
- Pearls
If you are awarded a scholarship toward a GIA course, we will email you directions on how to enroll in the course through GIA’s online portal. Prerequisites required for these courses include:
- Gem Identification (Colored Stones and Gem Identification Lab required)
The JA Bench Professional Certification Program establishes national standards and administers tests to rate the talents and proficiency of bench jewelers at three levels:
- JA Certified Beginner Bench Jeweler
- JA Certified Bench Jeweler
- JA Certified Master Bench Jeweler
Learn more about Bench Professional Certification
Appraisal Studies Course
The course, which includes Lessons 1-18, is designed to be the first step toward enhancing professionalism in appraisal practice. Material is presented throughout individual lessons with a quiz at the end of each lesson, as well as interactive sections, supplemental videos and external links to enhance understanding.
The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship
Jewelers of America in partnership with CD Peacock
Applications are closed for 2026.
The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship aims to bring new talent into the bench jeweler profession by providing tuition help to students enrolled in an accredited bench jeweler or metalsmith education program. The Holtzman’s, in partnership with Jewelers of America, are offering bench scholarships, primarily aimed to support low-income students, with the goal of attracting new talent and strengthening the industry’s talent pool in bench jewelry.
The scholarships will be awarded to students enrolled in jewelry or metalsmithing programs at an accredited college, university, or training school between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026. Recipients will be awarded scholarships based on the cost of the program and available funds.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be 18 or older to apply
- Enrolled or show proof of acceptance in a jewelry or metalsmithing program at an accredited college, university, or training school within the United States
- Applicant must be based in the United States
Applicants are required to submit a brief of your program of study, your reason for choosing the program and your professional goals, as well as images of three of their jewelry pieces.
Due to fund regulations, scholarships are paid directly to the school. Recipients must email their bill(s) to Jewelers of America and a check will be sent directly to the institution.
The Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship
Jewelers of America in partnership with Henne Jewelers
Applications are closed for 2026.
The Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship is named in memory of Nina Pugliese, who worked four decades at Henne Jewelers and exemplified the highest level of professionalism and values.
This scholarship is for jewelry professionals who are looking to increase their professionalism or knowledge through education or training. Nina held various roles over her career including buyer, designer, and salesperson. In each of these roles she had an outsized impact on the store. She was also dedicated to and supported industry education, craftsmanship, integrity, and the local community through charitable giving.
Applicants will be asked to explain how their current work or studies in the jewelry industry, their personal values, and their future career goals embody the legacy of Nina Pugliese.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be aged 18 or older to apply.
- Currently enrolled in an accredited and/or certified jewelry training program starting by the fall of 2026; and/or currently employed in the jewelry industry. Applicants must provide proof of enrollment and/or employment.
- Applicant must be a resident in and a citizen of the United States
Learn more about the life and legacy of Nina Pugliese here.
Interested in donating to the Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship fund? Make a donation here.
education discounts
Get discounts on industry courses
Jewelers of America members receive discounts on jewelry education from the following institutions:
Other Industry Scholarships
Jewelers of America is not affiliated with any of the below scholarship programs.
| American Gem Society (AGS) | AGS Way Scholarships |
| American Gem Society (AGS) | The Women in Leadership Scholarship |
| Gemological Institute of America (GIA) | Merit and Needs-Based Scholarships |
| Kill NYC | Scholarship for the Jewelry Arts |
| MJSA Foundation Scholarship | Future of Jewelry Making Scholarship |
| The Clear Cut | The Clear Cut Scholarship |
| Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) | Grants and Scholarships |