The 24 Karat Club offers several different scholarship opportunities for promising talent in the jewelry industry. Applicants must be nominated to the committee by a 24 Karat Club member. An application must be completed by the candidate and submitted along with a letter of recommendation from the sponsoring member [DOWNLOAD APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS], [DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION]. Additional information outlining the candidate’s journey in the jewelry industry, including their future plans, is recommended, but not required. Competition for the various scholarships is very intense and candidates should strive to distinguish themselves.
Applications must be received no later than June 25th, 2026.
Once the application is completed in full, please send in a printable format to:
Carolyn Woltz Lennon, 24 Karat Scholarship Chair: carolynlennon4496@nullgmail.com
The winners will be announced and presented at the annual black tie gala in August.
Accounting for Jewelers Scholarship
Sponsored by Mariel Diaz, founder of Accounting for Jewelers, this $1,500 scholarship is awarded to one deserving recipient to support continuing education in jewelry or jewelry-related business disciplines. This includes, but is not limited to, programs offered by institutions such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), New Approach School for Jewelers, the JA and AGS certification programs, and practical training programs like stone carving in Idar-Oberstein, Germany.
The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage and enable growth in the jewelry industry by funding the type of transformative education that has shaped the donor’s own journey as a gemologist, jeweler, and industry advisor. Applicants must be sponsored by a 24 Karat Club SEUS member, submit a completed application, and provide a personal letter outlining their career goals and the impact this scholarship would have on their future.
The Robert Foreman Memorial Scholarship
This is a scholarship in the amount of $2,000 awarded to one deserving applicant working in the retail jewelry industry to further their jewelry related education. The applicant must be employed in the retail jewelry industry for a minimum of two years. Applicants must be sponsored by a 24Karat Club Member, and must complete the application and submit it along with a personal letter to the Scholarship Committee detailing why they should be considered for this prestigious honor. Although the committee does consider financial need, candidates desiring to make a life-long commitment to the jewelry industry are given top priority and are encouraged to apply.
The Diamond Council of America
The Diamond Council of America sponsors several scholarships. They provide opportunities to jewelers who can benefit by the specific training offered by the Diamond Council of America.
The Diamond Council of America (DCA) was founded in 1944 as a forum to educate jewelry sales professionals about diamonds and gems. This not-for-profit organization provides the professional jeweler with an opportunity to earn a certification in diamonds and gemstones through distance education, and gives salespeople the knowledge and training necessary to make them successful.
Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, the DCA is a leading educational organization for professional retail jewelry salespeople. Since the organization’s beginnings, thousands of retail jewelry professionals have graduated from the DCA’s course offerings in the study of diamonds and colored gems.
Sterling Reputation Scholarship
Sponsored by Sterling Reputation, this is a $2500 Scholarship presented to a school to aid students enrolled in a jewelry or watch repair course with their class fees or material supplies requirements. Schools interested in applying for the scholarship should contact the scholarship committee directly for the specific requirements.
Sterling Reputation is a leading wholesaler of fine quality sterling silver jewelry, headquartered in Sunrise, Florida.
Diamond in the Rough Scholarship
One or more scholarships distributed from a $2500 fund to be used for jewelry industry education and training. This scholarship program is made available through a generous gift from Club member Judy Upton, president of Birmingham, AL-based Judy Carter & Associates Insurance Agency. Judy has been providing insurance to the jewelry industry for over 20 years.
Ralph Williams Educational Scholarship
A $1500 scholarship distributed annually to be used for jewelry industry education and training. This scholarship, funded by members Carolyn Lennon, Robert Loving and Terry Chandler, is dedicated in memory of former Club member Ralph Williams.