The affiliation adds member value and creates a larger, unified voice for the industry
Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, and MJSA have finalized and signed an affiliation agreement intended to unite and strengthen the industry. The decision to affiliate was announced in May and since then, the associations have been working diligently to integrate their operations and complete the agreement's details.
"Jewelers of America is thrilled to have the MJSA team, MJSA Journal, and the MJSA Foundation under our Jewelers of America umbrella. By bringing together MJSA members with Jewelers of America members, we will be more united than ever in our efforts to advocate for the jewelry industry’s diverse needs. We are already working hard to increase member benefits, enhance educational offerings and streamline efficiencies. We are looking ahead with great optimism,” says Jewelers of America President & CEO David Bonaparte.
With MJSA officially part of Jewelers of America, the members of the MJSA board of directors have become an advisory committee of the Jewelers of America board of directors, better enabling the needs of the MJSA membership to be met. The unified voice will help Jewelers of America advocate and lobby for the jewelry industry in an increasingly holistic and impactful way.
Through Jewelers of America, MJSA will continue to connect 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) that advance professional excellence in jewelry making 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. These initiatives include the MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program, which the U.S. Department of Labor recently approved as the industry’s first nationally recognized Registered Apprenticeship Program. Together with JA's education and certification programs, MJSA and JA are working to create a clear pathway for aspiring jewelers to enter the industry and gain technical and business mastery.