Jewelers of America

What Jewelers of America does

Jewelers of America (JA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit national trade association founded in 1906, headquartered at 120 Broadway, Suite 2820, New York. The organization represents independent fine jewelry retailers and suppliers/manufacturers across the U.S. jewelry industry, which posted over $100 billion in annual sales in the first ten months of 2025. JA's core service is membership: member businesses commit annually to a Code of Professional Practices and gain access to business resources, insurance program recommendations, education and training, a Knowledge Vault, advocacy representation, recognition programs, and a public Find A Jeweler directory that drives consumer referrals.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring annual membership dues from retailers and suppliers, supplemented by event participation and program fees tied to the annual GEM Awards, CASE Awards design competition, 20 Under 40 recognition program, and the webinar series, plus an Impact Initiative endowment fund launched in 2025 with $100,000 of initial grant capital. Affiliates and acquired entities extend the product surface: National Jeweler (a trade publication acquired in 2015), MJSA / Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (assets acquired in 2018), and a strategic affiliation with the Diamond Council of America formed in 2017.

Operationally, JA is staffed at 11-50 employees under President & CEO David J. Bonaparte (appointed 2013) and runs an event-driven go-to-market anchored on the GEM Awards ceremony, Member Meetup cocktail parties, and partnerships with industry events (COUTURE, LUXURY, JCK, IJO, JIS Fall, Centurion). The association maintains a Washington D.C. advocacy function, co-founded the Responsible Jewellery Council in 2005, and is pursuing tariff exemptions on imported diamonds and gemstones in coordination with India's GJEPC. Underlying technology is limited to standard marketing tooling (Google Analytics, Google Ads) and a member login portal; JA does not operate a technology platform.

Name

Jewelers of America

Legal name

Jewelers of America

Website

https://jewelers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1906

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Jewelers of America is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association founded in 1906 that serves independent fine jewelry retailers and suppliers across the U.S. market through membership dues, industry advocacy, education programs, and recognition events including the annual GEM Awards and CASE Awards.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Jewelry Retailers (458310)

SIC

Retail-Jewelry Stores (5944)

akta.pro primary industry

Diamond Jewelry (CRAKAAAA)

Keywords

• Jewelry trade association
• Industry advocacy
• Professional certification
• Membership services
• Trade publication

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Jewelers of America generates revenue primarily through annual membership dues from jewelry retailers and suppliers across the jewelry supply chain. Members receive access to resources, representation, recognition, and member-only content through the Member Center.
2. Events and Programs: Revenue generated from event participation, industry conferences, trade shows, and certification programs including the GEM Awards, CASE Awards, and various educational workshops.
3. Impact Initiative Fund: An endowment fund launched in 2025 with initial funding of $100,000 to award grants to organizations supporting ethical practices, environmental responsibility, innovation, and professional education in the jewelry sector.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Jewelers of America is a national nonprofit trade association (501(c)(6)) that provides membership services, industry advocacy, professional education and certification, and recognition programs to businesses operating in the U.S. fine jewelry marketplace. Members include independent jewelry retailers, national chains, and suppliers/manufacturers who receive access to the Member Center portal, legislative advocacy in Washington D.C., the GEM Awards and CASE Awards programs, 20 Under 40 recognition, JA Certification/Bench Certification, and consumer-facing tools such as the Find a Jeweler directory. JA also operates affiliated brands including the National Jeweler trade publication and the MJSA manufacturing alliance.

Product overview

Jewelers of America (JA) is a national trade association serving the fine jewelry marketplace, founded in 1906. Rather than a single software product, JA offers a portfolio of member services and programs including the JA Member Center (resources, representation, recognition), GEM Awards (annual industry awards), CASE Awards (design competition), 20 Under 40 (young professional recognition), JA Certification programs, the Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program (EJAP), Impact Initiative (grant funding), and the Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship. JA also provides consumer-facing resources including a Find a Jeweler directory, Jewelry Buying Guides, and Industry Events Calendar. Affiliates include National Jeweler (trade publication), MJSA (manufacturing trade alliance), and DCA (professional education/certification).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• JA Membership Annual membership in Jewelers of America for fine jewelry retailers and suppliers, providing access to business resources, insurance programs, education and training, the Knowledge Vault, legislative advocacy, JAPAC resources, recognition programs, marketing and PR opportunities, and listing in the JA Member Directory.
• JA Member Center Exclusive online portal for JA members that houses business resources, representation materials, recognition program details, and the member directory.
• JA Certification / Bench Certification Professional certification program for jewelry industry professionals, including the Bench Certification credential, designed to demonstrate expertise and adherence to JA's Code of Professional Practices.
• Find a Jeweler Directory Public-facing directory that allows consumers to locate JA member jewelers across the United States, including JA 100, 20 Under 40, and CASE Awards winners.
• National Jeweler Trade publication acquired by JA in 2015, providing market analysis, news, and emerging trend coverage for jewelry professionals across the global industry.
• Jewelry Careers / Job Board Career services including a job board at jobs.jewelers.org, career pathway information for jewelry industry roles, and a directory of jewelry schools.
• Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program (EJAP) Program launched in 2023 in partnership with BIJC to provide new and emerging jewelry retailers with resources, education, workshops, and grant funds to support business success.
• Impact Initiative Endowment fund launched in 2025 with $100,000 in initial funding to award grants to U.S. jewelry sector companies, nonprofits, and trade associations supporting ethical practices, environmental responsibility, innovation, and professional education.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DCA (Diamond Council of America)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Charitable nonprofit offering affordable professional certificates and diploma programs in diamonds, colored gemstones, and fine jewelry sales. Strategic affiliation formed in 2017 to enhance benefits to both JA and DCA memberships.
• Responsible Jewellery CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005International standards organization co-founded by Jewelers of America in 2005. JA's Code of Professional Practices is consistent with RJC principles.
• MJSA (Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrade alliance of jewelry makers, designers, and related suppliers dedicated to professional excellence. Supplies expertise, customer connections, and resources needed to achieve success and maintain competitive edge. JA acquired MJSA assets in 2018.
• National JewelercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMust-read news source for jewelry professionals covering market analysis and emerging trends. Acquired by JA in 2015 to serve as the industry's only media outlet run by jewelers for jewelers.
• Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndia's gem and jewelry industry council. JA stated it is seeking exemption for diamonds and gemstones from Trump tariffs while working with GJEPC on trade policy.
• Jewelers Mutual GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecommended insurance provider and the only insurer dedicated solely to serving the jewelry industry in the US and Canada. Founded 1913, trusted by 300,000+ consumers, available in nearly 10,000 jewelry businesses.
• Jewelers Vigilance CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry compliance and legal standards organization. JA staff member Annie Doresca serves on the board.
• Jewelers Security AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry security organization addressing jewelry crime. JA President & CEO David Bonaparte serves on the board of directors.
• Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiversity and inclusion organization in the jewelry industry. JA launched Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program (EJAP) in 2023 in partnership with BIJC to provide resources and education to new jewelry retailers.
• Jewelers for ChildrenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable organization benefiting children. JA staff member Amanda Gizzi contributes time to this organization.
• Gemological Institute of America (GIA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading gemological education institution. JA scholarship program covers education from GIA for members.
• American Gem Society (AGS)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional organization for jewelers. JA scholarship program covers education from AGS for members.
• National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional appraisal organization. JA scholarship program covers education from NAJA for members.
• Henne JewelersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Henne Jewelers to create the Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship in memory of a four-decade employee. A portion of Exclusively Nina collection sales funds the scholarship.
• MJSAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry can support the Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship by donating at mjsa.org/pugliese.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• American Gem Society: American Gem Society is a US-based trade association for jewelry professionals, offering credentials, ethics standards, and continuing education — directly comparable to JA as a parallel fine-jewelry industry membership body serving retail jewelers.
• Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC): RJC is the international standards-setting body for the jewelry supply chain, co-founded by JA in 2005. Directly comparable as a jewelry-industry ethics and certification organization whose Code of Practices aligns with JA's own Code of Professional Practices.
• Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA): MJSA is a trade alliance of jewelry makers, designers, and suppliers under the JA umbrella (JA acquired MJSA assets in 2018). Closely comparable as a jewelry-industry association providing member services, education, and events, with overlapping membership base.
• Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC): JVC is the jewelry industry's legal and compliance standards body. Directly comparable as a parallel jewelry trade organization, and JA's Annie Doresca serves on the JVC board, evidencing deep institutional overlap.
• Jewelers Security Alliance: Jewelers Security Alliance is a jewelry-industry security organization addressing retail crime. Comparable as a specialized jewelry trade body, with JA's CEO David Bonaparte sitting on the board — overlapping membership and mission in addressing member pain points.
• Diamond Council of America (DCA): DCA is a nonprofit offering professional certificates and diploma programs in diamonds, colored gemstones, and fine jewelry sales. Directly comparable as a jewelry-education membership organization; JA formed a strategic affiliation with DCA in 2017.
• National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA): NAJA is a professional appraisal organization serving jewelry appraisers. Comparable as a jewelry-industry professional body, and is a JA scholarship partner — overlapping audience and educational mission.

Broad incumbents

• Gemological Institute of America (GIA): GIA is the leading global gemological education and gem-grading institution and a JA scholarship partner. Comparable because both serve the jewelry industry through credentialing, education, and standards-setting, though GIA's scale and global reach materially exceed JA's.

Emerging players

• Jewelers Mutual Group: Jewelers Mutual Group is the only insurer dedicated solely to the jewelry industry in the US and Canada, serving 300,000+ consumers and 10,000 businesses. Comparable as a jewelry-industry-specialized service provider partnered with JA, though its business model is insurance rather than membership/association.
• Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC): BIJC is a diversity and inclusion organization within the jewelry industry, partnering with JA on the Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program (EJAP). Comparable as a mission-aligned jewelry industry body, though BIJC focuses narrowly on DEI whereas JA covers the full industry.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/JAjewelryinfo
• Facebookfacebook.com/JewelersOfAmerica
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-survivors-advocacy-board-sab-
• Instagraminstagram.com/jewelersofamericamembers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Jewelers of America