Cindy Edelstein had two overarching goals in her work endeavors: fostering an appreciation for designer jewelry as an art form in itself and nurturing designers to improve themselves and their work. To those ends she worked tirelessly through her company, Jeweler’s Resource Bureau, providing information, and education to designers of every level of experience and accomplishment.
She was particularly encouraging to beginners who saw in jewelry the same things she did, beauty, artistic expression, and timelessness. As a close adjunct to her work life, she was a longtime and avid supporter of the Women’s Jewelry Association for which she served on the board of directors for nearly 20 years in several capacities. In WJA she found a perfect match to her business goals.
WJA supported women in the same industry that she was immersed in, and it offered opportunities for women to network, grow, and prosper. It is only fitting that WJA be an instrument for furthering those goals which she held so close, and the establishment of an education fund in her memory is the ideal vehicle for that.
Women who are current WJA members are eligible to apply. The recipient may pursue either design or business courses, provided they are focused on improving her artistry and/or her designer jewelry business. As the announced the deadline is: Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 12:30 PM.
The late Cindy Edelstein began her career as an editor at JCK Magazine. It was her years as JCK fashion editor that gave her the opportunity to fall in love with jewelry designers and their work. She founded Jeweler’s Resource Bureau (JRB) in 1991 with one goal — to support the growth of designer fine jewelry as a retail category, an art form, and a community.
Over the years she and her husband, Frank Stankus, who joined JRB in 1996, built a menu of marketing and publishing services that offers expert advice, custom publications, and the kind of targeted marketing tools that designer entrepreneurs need to run their businesses most effectively. Stankus continues to operate JRB today.
In 2000, Edelstein and JRB launched the first American trade show on the craft show circuit to include international studio jewelers, called globalDESIGN. This event is held annually at the American Craft Council’s American Craft Show in Baltimore each February. Stankus continues to manage globalDESIGN for JRB.
In 1990, Edelstein received the WJA Award for Editorial Excellence. In 1995, she was awarded the prestigious Benne Award by the American Jewelry Design Council. In 1996, she was the winner of the Contemporary Design Group’s award as Best Designer Advocate. And in 2001 she was recognized again by WJA with an Excellence in Marketing award.
Heera Zhaveraat (HZ International) A Diamond, Watch and Jewellery Trade Promotion Magazine provide dealers and manufactures with the key analytical information they need to succeed in the luxury industry. Pricing, availability and market information in the Magazine provides a critical edge.
