The Women's Jewelry Association was established to provide a forum for women executives in the jewelry industry to learn about their related businesses and each other. Over the years, the WJA has reached out to the entire jewelry industry to foster professional skills with its programs and workshops. With regional chapters and a strong national leadership, the association and its committees strive to play a relevant role in the lives of its members and the vitality of the jewelry industry.

As a long-standing board member of the San Diego chapter, Vickie has served as the newsletter editor, providing a full color bi-monthly newsletter in print and posted on the national website.

Winner of the WJA 2008 Design Competition.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling

"Breaking the Glass Ceiling," was a reflection of the progress made over the last 25 years, with the ring including "stair-steps to the top" and a pair of tsavorite-jeweled, golden high heels resting on top of the glass ceiling.

Full Press Release

The Tahitian Night Brooch won 3rd place in the WJA Diva competition.
Tahitian Night Brooch

Vickie was also voted to receive the Shining Star Award, for her contribution to the chapter, and attended the Women In the Know Conference held in New York, March 2006.
MJSA advocates for the advancement of the jewelry manufacturing industry by providing training and education. The organization stays abreast of legislative issues that impact the industry and encourages creativity by hosting the American Vision Awards.
Ocean Wave Necklace

While a Student at the Gemological Institute of America, Vickie won 1st place in the 2001 MJSA American Vision Award with her Ocean Wave necklace.
Established in 1931, GIA is the world’s largest and most respected nonprofit institute of gemological research and learning. The Institute is home to the prestigious Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) diploma. The distinguished G.G. designation at the end of an individual’s name is instantly recognized around the world as the mark of a senior professional in the jewelry industry. Internationally, the Institute has distinguished itself as the preeminent source of gemological knowledge and professionalism.

Vickie received her diploma from GIA as a G.J.G. The three programs; Graduate Gemologist (G.G.), Graduate Jeweler (G.J.) and Design were an intensive 14 month program.

This association of Professional Jewelry Designers is a national organization dedicated to the promotion of creative jewelry design and committed to the highest standards of integrity and ethics in business and in design.

Vickie applied to and was accepted into this organization in 2005.




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