Industry to celebrate 25th WJA gala

Diamond mining companies, retail chain companies and the leaders of the global gem and jewellery are gathering on 27 July 2008, to applaud the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) on completing its 25 years. “In this milestone year WJA is thrilled for major support from some of the most distinguished and diverse organisations in the industry, including Platinum Guild International, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, and David Yurman--all of whom are WJA Pillar of Distinction sponsors,” said Yancy Weinrich, Industry VP, JCK Events. Also, top WJA sponsors - ABN AMRO Bank, Charles & Colvard, Conde Nast Media Group, Hearts On Fire, JCK Events/JCK Magazine, Kaiser Time, Kerwin Communications, Natural Colored Diamond Association, Rio Tinto Diamonds, and Saks Fifth Avenue have notified their commitment.

In traditional WJA style, the awards presentations at the 25th Awards for Excellence this year would see two honourees: Sybil Yurman, president and chief marketing officer of David Yurman to be honoured with WJA’s 2008 Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award and Steven Kaiser, president and CEO of Kaiser Time, with the Ben Kaiser Award. WJA would also recognise past recipients of the two awards.

A gala dinner has been redesigned for WJA’s Silver Anniversary, according to Dinner Chair Lisa Cochin and is to be held at Chelsea Piers in New York City on July 27. Another traditional event at the celebrations is the Silent Auction, which raises monies for WJA Scholarship and Grant programmes. This year too, WJA would receive enthusiastic contributions from the industry - tickets to NY Philharmonic, a trip for two to Bermuda and a private cooking class and luncheon for four sponsored by Gourmet Magazine, among over a hundred other items. An attraction would be the opportunity to win a special Hearts On Fire diamond ring, generously donated by a company. The participation denotes the consolidated efforts of the industry even during trying times of a challenging economic climate and rising commodity prices.