"I'm humbled yet delighted to receive this award from the Women's Jewelry Association," she said. "Having spent over 25 years in the diamond industry, I have first-hand experience of how tough it can be for women to succeed in business generally, let alone in one that used to be as old-fashioned and male-dominated as the diamond business. Happily, I believe we are now seeing more opportunities opening up for women in the diamond world and I am proud that De Beers has recognized and embraced the value that women can add in this industry, as evidenced by the fact that two of the six major businesses in the De Beers family now have women as chief executives. We still have a long way to go, but I am hugely honored to be recognized by my female peers in the jewelry industry and am proud to be keeping such esteemed (and glamorous!) company."

The Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) announces the 12 recipients of its 2011 Shining Star Awards, which recognizes WJA members' service, passion, and commitment to their local chapters across the country. The awards were presented during WJA's Women in the Know Conference, held Jan. 6 in New York City.

"One of WJA's key strengths is the network of chapters that provide local networking, education, and support for members," said Kendra Bridel Weinman, WJA national president. "The Shining Star Award recognizes this dedicated leadership and service at the chapter level."

The 2011 award recipients were:   

Renee Barry, Renee Bella, Chicago, Ill. (Midwest Chapter)        

Elisa Browsh, Elyria Jewels, San Francisco, Calif., (Northern California Chapter)                 

Judy Colbert, Gemological Institute of America, Carlsbad, Calif., (San Diego Chapter)                 

Carole Diamond, The Diamond Collection, Hallandale, Fla. (co- recipient/Southeast Chapter)                 

Claudia Endler, Claudia Endler Designs, Los Angeles, Calif. (Los Angeles Chapter)                   

Sue Fritz, CIC, CSA, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, River Falls, Wis. (Twin Cities Chapter) 

Danielle Ingwer, Leo Ingwer, New York, N.Y. (Metro Chapter) 

Odaybea Morrow, Jewelry by Odaybea, Oakton, Va., (D.C. Chapter) 

Susan Osborn, Warren Jewelers, Kirkland, Wash., (Pacific Northwest Chapter) 

Julie Shaw, Armenta, Houston, Texas, (Southwest Chapter) 

Corrie Silvia, Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America, Attleboro, MA (New England Chapter)                   

Adriane Yontef, J. Yontef Diamonds & Custom Jewelry, Nashville, Tenn. (co-recipient/Southeast Chapter)

Attention jewelry designers! The Women's Jewelry Association DIVA Design Competition is now open for entries.

This year's theme, GREEN DIVA: Eco-Conscious Jewels for Today's Green Consumer, reflects the current interest in recycled, reclaimed, repurposed, and/or ethically mined materials that fits in with the eco-conscious jewelry movement.

Cindy Edelstein, president of Jewelers Resource Bureau and chair of the WJA DIVA Design Competition, invites designers to "design a jewel for each category that shines a light on the eco-conscious jewelry movement-materials that are ethically mined, designs that feature recycled or reclaimed materials and carry a message through their theme, and/or materials that show fine jewelry can be green jewelry.

The GREEN DIVA is for the consumer who supports her causes and her beliefs with her fine jewelry choices.

Designers must state how their entries support the eco-conscious theme, no matter how far reaching their design may be towards that goal. The challenge is to think of alternatives, to imagine new ways for old things, and/or imagine or incorporate new technologies and sources.

Designers are invited to submit entries in any of the GREEN DIVA categories:

�      Daytime Jewel

�      Evening Jewel

�      Men's Jewel

Designers should submit entries electronically no later than April 25 at our online DIVA Design Competition web site: https://www.callforentry.org, and scroll down to WJA listing. Designers may enter up to three designs in any or all of the categories. All designs must incorporate precious materials. See the online call-for-entry for all the contest rules and details.

Judging will be completed by May 10 with winners notified shortly thereafter.

All award recipients will be invited to attend the WJA DIVA news conference to be held Friday afternoon, June 3, during The JCK Las Vegas Show, where they will be recognized as WJA DIVA award recipients. Award recipients also will be invited to attend the WJA Summer Celebration during the JCK reception Sunday, June 5. 

First-place winners in each category will receive a cash prize of $750 and a crystal award trophy. First and second runner-up entrants in each category will receive a certificate of achievement. WJA will recognize the award recipients in a news release sent to all jewelry trade media. 

METROPOLITAN (NEW YORK) 

The Metro New York chapter braved winter winds and snow to get together for a number of late winter events. We are definitely ready for spring here in New York!

On both Feb. 16 and March 15th, about 35 members and guests warmed up at Gstaad on W. 26th St. for our popular "Third Tuesday Metro Mix & Mingle." It is a great, casual location for our 3-M event. Join us!

On Feb. 23, we hosted a 3C "Chew, Chat, and Chill" dinner at Madison Bistro near E. 37th St. Robin Holder, brand management director at Rue La La, the invitation-only shopping site, spoke about this newest form of e-commerce.

Holder shared a wealth of information about Rue La La users and here's just a sliver: there are 3.2 million members-50% more than $100k per year; 50% are between ages 35-64; 75% are female, and users are evenly divided between single and attached. Attendees learned how they could get involved, too!

On Thursday evening, March 3, about 30 guests, including several Metro board members, gathered at the beautiful offices of Circa on Madison Avenue, to welcome new Metro chapter members at a new member cocktail party. Many thanks to Circa for helping to make the evening possible.

On May 18, the chapter is planning its 2^nd annual Spring Fling event with Marie Claire magazine at the beautiful Hearst Tower. Look for a Save the Date announcement in your inbox soon.

And last but not least: The Metro chapter feels one of its greatest missions is to give a leg up to our industry's newest members. We've been conducting successful speed mentoring events at both FIT and GIA in New York for several years.

Recently, through the generosity of Riva Jewelry Manufacturing in Long Island City, we have also been able to take small groups of students on factory tours at Riva's modern, high-tech facility. It has been an eye-opening experience for those lucky enough to participate, allowing these future jewelry industry members a taste of the real world. 

Until next time!   

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

We celebrated the beginning of 2011 in January with our annual Holiday Party at E&O Trading Restaurant in San Francisco. Members came together from all areas of the Bay Area to attend a dinner and lecture, "2011: A Colorful Year Ahead", by Adam Graham of AGTA. Adam is the Marketing Manager for AGTA, whose primary mission it is to promote the sale and use of colored gemstones and pearls.

Adam gave a lively presentation, highlighting the colors and trends for 2011, popular gemstones, and insights into jewelry design from the recent Spectrum Awards competition. He also gave us a sneak preview of jewelry some of the stars would be wearing at the Golden Globes! We all felt inspired by his presentation and a bit more informed as many of us prepared to head off to the Tucson Gem Show.

Adam also presented our chapter with a $500 gift from AGTA to go towards our Scholarship Fund. It was a wonderful evening of socializing with old friends and new members!  

In April we are looking forward to hosting out first "Spring Swap Meet" (date TBA). We are creating an event where members will have an opportunity to swap out, sell, or trade, their old tired merchandise, gems, findings, etc.  Someone's old stock could be another's gold mine! It will be like an old-fashioned flea market, where each member will have their own table with their wares, and there will be a lot of trading, selling, and bartering going on.

It should be a fabulous event, stay tuned for the date!

The Los Angeles Chapter recently held its first Chat 'n Chill of the year on February 16th at Bar Bouchon in Beverly Hills. The gathering was extremely successful with more than 25 attending. Chat 'n Chills are a great way to meet friends, network, and enjoy a glass of wine at one of L.A.'s great neighborhood bars. There is no charge to attend, and the events are open to members and non-members alike.  The LA chapter hosts at least one Chat 'n Chill every quarter; the next one is scheduled for mid-May. 

On Wednesday, March 9, the Los Angeles Chapter, in a first joint program together with the 24 Karat Club of Southern California, co-hosted a "Meet the Media" panel discussion at the contemporary Andaz Hotel on the famous Sunset Strip in Hollywood.

A packed room for the joint WJA-LA/24 Karat media event. 

The panel discussion focused on giving attendees the "inside scoop" on how to best reach influential individuals as part of their public relations and product placement efforts, as well as trend predictions from each panelist. 

Panel moderator was Randi Molofsky Lithgow, a New York-based journalist, author, and the chief curator for the online luxury shopping website Portero.com. Panelists included Victoria Gomelsky, editor-in-chief of JCK magazine and contributing luxury editor for the International Herald Tribune; Hellin Kay, a contributing fashion editor for Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Russian Vogue, Women's Wear Daily, and a celebrity fashion photographer; and Kit Scarbo, celebrity and wardrobe stylist for E! Entertainment and Dancing with the Stars, and a former contestant on Project Runway. 

SAN DIEGO