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Seattle, WA—Ben Bridge Jeweler is sponsoring a new scholarship, the Lonia Tate Scholarship, available through Black in Jewelry Coalition. The scholarship was created to honor the memory of Lonia Denise Tate (image), an AGS Registered Jeweler and long-term associate at Ben Bridge Jeweler. Tate passed away in 2020 at the age of 54.

The Black in Jewelry Coalition strives for the advancement of Black professionals within the gem, jewelry, and watch industry through networking, education, representation and an abundance of resources. The organization strives to promote change in the jewelry industry by providing tools and resources for professional success and growth, and recruitment for increased representation of people of color.

Lonia Tate was passionate about the jewelry industry and also was heavily involved in community service, says a statement from Ben Bridge. She served as the first Black president of the Seattle Chapter of Executive Women International. 

The scholarship (distance learning only) is for the GIA Graduate Gemology Program, and is valued at approximately $10,000 for the program and required appropriate equipment. It also includes an internship with Ben Bridge Jeweler following the completion of the gemological program. (Internship eligibility is based on Ben Bridge associate pre-employment process.) Both the scholarship and internship are reserved for a BIPOC candidate who intends to have a career in the fine jewelry industry.  

Eligibility and criteria for selection are as follows:

• Qualified applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of GIA course enrollment, and not already enrolled in courses at GIA. 

• Qualified applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States (proof required) and must be American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian/Asian American, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander. 

• Qualified applicants must have a high school diploma or GED at the time of registration to GIA (proof required). GIA requires a transcript to enroll. 

• Qualified applicants must sign an agreement attested to their intention to complete the GIA Graduate Gemologist Program in the time allotted by GIA. 

• Scholarship winner will have a strong desire to work in the gem and jewelry industry. 

• Scholarship winner will be selected from one of the following US states in which Ben Bridge Jeweler operates: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, and Washington State. 

• Scholarship winner will have a demonstrated commitment and impact on their community through community service. 


Applicants must submit an essay describing: 

• Why would you like to pursue a GIA Graduate Gemologist Diploma? (no more than 100 words) 
• What career do you envision after completing the Graduate Gemologist Program? (no more than 100 words) 
• Why you are the best candidate? (no more than 100 words) 
• Describe how your community service has had an impact.

• Certification of intent to complete GIA Graduate Gemologist course 

Interested candidates should apply here.