(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK — The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) will host its tenth annual Jewelry Night Out celebration and membership drive on September 8, 2022. WJA chapters in 20 cities across North America will bring together industry professionals on one night for an inspiring evening of community, connection, collaboration, and celebration!
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is supporting the organization’s nationwide event this year to mark the special anniversary. “GIA is one of WJA’s longstanding supporters, and we are thrilled to celebrate this milestone with them! With GIA’s sponsorship, we will be able to bring together industry professionals across the nation to network and attend special education presentations through their local chapters on this important occasion,” shares Jennifer Markas, WJA Executive Director.
Jewelry Night Out will also kick off the first evening of the Hard Rock Summit in Denver, CO, and is open to those traveling to the show.
WJA plans to launch a special online auction during the month of September to help raise funds to give back to the community by supporting WJA Foundation’s member grants, which are given out annually to individuals to use towards professional growth and educational endeavors.
As part of the anniversary, WJA will unveil a commemorative member pin designed exclusively by jewelry artist and WJA Los Angeles member, Angie Crabtree.
Growing up in Northern California, Angie found crystals and minerals on walks with her gold mining grandfather, quickly learning about what society agrees are some of the world’s most valuable objects. In 2009, she graduated from the San Francisco Art Institute, and in 2011 painted her first diamond — at 5 feet tall — “Living the Dream” as a commentary on the American Dream. Using oil paint, she creates magnified portraits of real gemstones. Her most well-known commissions include “The Pink Promise” diamond and Chopard’s massive 342 carat “Queen of Kalahari” diamond.
At Jewelry Night Out and throughout WJA’s Membership Month taking place from September 1-30, 2022, individuals can save 10% on new and renewing WJA memberships. For exact locations and start times for each Jewelry Night Out event, visit here.
WJA members receive a wide variety of benefits to help them learn, connect, and grow professionally. These benefits include: WJA Masterclasses focused on high-impact leadership development training; conversations on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to foster and build more empathy, a custom-built Mentor Match platform to connect mentors and mentees virtually, Responsible Sourcing and Sustainability Education to promote and educate future sustainability champions, and WJA’s Connect platform designed to help members share information, collaborate, and build relationships around the world.