Reading Time: 8 minutes
Key Takeaways:
• Jewelers of America (JA) has announced eight recipients for its 2026 Impact Initiative funding to support education, industry access, ethical practices, and innovation.
• Funded programs address critical industry challenges, including workforce shortages, jewelry arts training for youth, cybersecurity threats, and local crime prevention.
• Recipients include organizations such as 92NY, DCA, Diamonds Do Good, and the Jewelers Security Alliance, each aligning with JA’s strategic plan.
(NEW YORK, NY) – Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses in the fine jewelry marketplace, announces the recipients of the Jewelers of America Impact Initiative, a multifaceted program dedicated to fostering the growth and sustainability of the jewelry industry. Eight jewelry trade associations were selected to receive funding for projects that support the industry’s critical need for education, increase access to the jewelry trade, enhance ethical practices and environmental responsibility, and advance innovation.
“Jewelers of America is proud to collaborate with other associations and support the programs that will make our industry stronger. The applicants for this year’s funding demonstrated the grit of our industry, and we are proud to increase our support to 8 organizations. Each program aligns with our strategic plan, and we know that together, we will make a meaningful impact,” says JA President & CEO David J. Bonaparte.
The Jewelers of America Impact Initiative recipients and projects for 2026 are:
92NY – Through innovative programming across disciplines, 92NY strives to improve the world. 92NY looks to expand its successful Teen Gems program, a free, high-level jewelry arts training initiative for New York City high school students that nurtures the next generation of jewelry artists, designers and industry leaders. The program provides rigorous instruction, mentorship and financial stipends that remove barriers to participation and encourage consistent engagement.
DCA – DCA empowers jewelry retail professionals through affordable, accessible distance education that builds the expertise, credentials and confidence to sell with integrity and passion. Seeing the U.S. jewelry industry facing a documented workforce crisis, DCA is looking to grow Second Spark, DCA’s workforce initiative, recruiting veterans and returning-to-work parents into credentialed jewelry sales careers.
Diamond Club West Coast – Diamond Club West Coast supports and strengthens the jewelry industry through education, collaboration, security awareness and community partnerships to promote a safer and more sustainable business environment for jewelers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers. Faced with mounting challenges from theft and related crimes, Diamond Club West Coast is working to improve safety within the LA Jewelry District by strengthening the crime-solving tools available to the LAPD Central Station.
Diamonds Do Good – Diamonds Do Good supports and strengthens communities where natural diamonds are mined, cut, polished, and sold—while advancing consumers’ understanding of the positive social, economic, and environmental impact of natural diamonds. Diamonds Do Good aims to provide jewelry professionals with “My Diamond Did Good” tools to effectively deliver authentic, verified stories of how natural diamonds support communities around the world.
Future Jewelers Academy – Future Jewelers Academy was created to address the growing workforce shortage in the U.S. jewelry industry by building direct training pathways for high school students and young adults interested in skilled-trade careers. Since launching in 2024 at the Brooklyn STEAM Center and Baldwin High School, Future Jewelers Academy is entering a major growth phase focused on workforce readiness and industry connection with a Summer Learning Pathway at the Brooklyn STEAM Center and new programs launching in White Plains and Hempstead, NY. Future Jewelers Academy is committed to developing a stronger, more diverse pipeline of jewelry professionals prepared to enter the trade.
Georgia Jewelers Association – The Georgia Jewelers Association is a nonprofit whose mission is to promote and protect the welfare of retail jewelers in Georgia. In response to calls from their members about a shortage of bench jewelers, they are creating a “Tools in Hand: Community Outreach for Bench Jeweler Employment” program. Georgia Jewelers Association will promote bench jeweler careers in local high schools, job fairs, employment websites, and social media groups by putting tools, gold, and gemstones into the hands of young people.
Jewelers Security Alliance – Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA) protects the jewelry industry against crime. In the past two years, the jewelry industry and luxury goods sector have suffered ransomware attacks, business email compromise attacks, social engineering attacks, as well as payment card fraud and ghost tapping. With the jewelry industry facing an increasing number of cybersecurity threats, JSA is expanding its threat intelligence and training to help the industry protect itself against cybercrime and respond to and recover from attacks when it is a victim.
Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) – Jewelers Vigilance Committee is a non-profit trade organization that ensures the highest ethical standards are maintained in the jewelry industry and provides legal education and compliance guidance to the industry. JVC will develop a comprehensive guide for the industry, “Everything You Need to Know About Plated, Filled, Vermeil, Electroplated and Alternative Metal Jewelry.” The guide will give makers the tools they need to understand these products and explain them to their customers.
The Jewelers of America Impact Initiative is a key part of the association’s strategic plan, prioritizing development in key areas that define the organization’s identity: energize and serve the member community, advance education, and amplify advocacy.
Applications were accepted through May 18, 2026. Funds were awarded to organizations or companies based on programs, potential reach, and need. The Jewelers of America Impact Initiative Committee comprised David Bonaparte, Jewelers of America; Coleman Clark, BC Clark; Molly Fallon, Jewelers of America; Amanda Gizzi, Jewelers of America; Sue Hopeman, Robbins Brothers; Sheryl Jones, Sheryl Jones Jewelry; and Ulrich Wohn, Victorinox.
For further information, visit https://www.jewelers.org/about/industry-impact/impact-initiative or contact Jewelers of America’s Member Services at (800) 223-0673 or members@jewelers.org.
ABOUT JEWELERS OF AMERICA
Jewelers of America is one of the most trusted and influential voices of the jewelry industry. With a mission to empower and unite its members, Jewelers of America provides expert guidance, education, and advocacy to promote excellence, integrity, and success in an evolving marketplace. Since 1906, Jewelers of America has been advancing the fine jewelry industry, setting high ethical standards and fostering professional growth for their members. Jewelers of America represents a large, diverse membership of retailers and suppliers in the United States who commit annually to the organization’s Code of Professional Practices.
The post Jewelers of America announces recipients of 2026 Impact Initiative appeared first on Southern Jewelry News.
from Southern Jewelry News https://ift.tt/SZbcejm