Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America and Jewelers of America will sign an affiliation agreement bringing MJSA under the JA umbrella.
The affiliation was agreed to by the boards of both organizations and approved in a mid-April vote by the MJSA membership.
“The traditional lines dividing manufacturers and retailers have disappeared—both sides now face many of the same challenges, as the recent tariffs have shown,” said Edward DeCristofaro, chair of the MJSA board. “Joining forces, especially in light of the industry’s consolidation over the years, will only strengthen our ability to advocate for our shared interests. Also, as more retailers continue to broaden their offerings to include everything from branded lines to custom designs, MJSA can provide a direct line to needed supplies, equipment, and expertise. Having MJSA and JA united creates an efficient, cost-effective solution to meeting our members.”
JA Board Chair Coleman Clark said: “We are delighted to have MJSA under the Jewelers of America umbrella. Once finalized, this
affiliation will provide members with an expanded list of membership benefits that connect the strengths of MJSA and Jewelers of America. With the challenges that the industry faces, having a large, unified voice is more important than ever. We look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together.”
Since its incorporation in 1903, MJSA has adhered to its mission of “advancing professional excellence in jewelry making and design.” Under the new agreement it will continue in that role, connecting businesses with providers of the latest jewelry-making equipment, supplies, and services, as well as with related educational and informational resources (including the monthly MJSA Journal.) All MJSA members will retain their current benefits and, as the associations integrate in coming months, also gain access to JA’s benefits (including those facilitating connections with the association’s thousands of retail members). An advisory board comprising many of MJSA’s current directors will be established to provide ongoing guidance and input on key advocacy issues related to jewelry manufacturing and design.
The MJSA Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 subsidiary of MJSA, will continue to operate with its own board of trustees, supporting career and training initiatives for students and workers throughout the industry. Going forward, it will align those initiatives—including the MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program, which the U.S. Department of Labor recently approved as National Guidelines Standards—with JA’s education and certification programs to create a pathway for aspiring jewelers to enter the industry and gain technical and business mastery.
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The affiliation agreement is scheduled to be finalized in late May. Updates will be posted on both Jewelers.org and MJSA.org.
