The Beyoncé Knowles-Carter x Lorraine Schwartz GIA Scholarship sponsored by the acclaimed jewellery designer Lorraine Schwartz and her close friend and Grammy award-winning singer, Beyoncé, named two recipients who will receive full tuition to earn GIA’s Graduate Gemologist diploma through distance education. The third scholarship will be funded by Beyoncé alone.
Each scholarship is valued in excess of $20,000 which includes tuition, fees, equipment, and travel and other expenses for on-campus lab classes.
“I was impressed with their passion and the knowledge of gems that so many applicants displayed,” said Beyoncé. “I am praying that this is just the beginning of opening more doors to diversity and raw inspiration in the jewellery industry.”
The three award recipients, Audriana Osborne from Montgomery, Alabama; Shelton Bradford from Lake Forest, California; and Kulla Jatani from Seattle, Washington, drew on their life experiences in their essays. They shared the origin of their passion for gems and jewellery and what they will do with the opportunity to increase Black representation in the industry. The three were profoundly inspiring, and they embraced a community-centric approach to creating more opportunities for others.
Schwartz added, “It’s an honour to be part of this life-changing moment for these two young, professionals; even more so because it’s in Beyoncé’s name, who has been my friend, muse, and the canvas for which I show my jewellery on for the last 20 years. Her work for the Black community is without limit and her efforts have inspired me and made me extremely proud to be her friend and partner on this initiative.” “The global gem and jewelry industry is fused together by specialised expertise and diversity of experiences, voices and differing backgrounds. All of these help to foster creativity, relevance and ultimately success,” said Susan Jacques, GIA president and CEO.