WJA announces Hall of Fame honorees

Ms. Varda Shine Managing Director of (DTCI), Matt Stuller, Stuller, Inc. and Helzberg Diamonds are chosen by The Women’s Jewelry Association as its Hall of Fame honorees for its annual Awards for Excellence gala. The WJA has elected each honoree in different categories. Varda Shine, Managing Director of (DTCI), will receive WJA’s 2011 Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award, for her zeal in her career spanning 25 years, that has seen her work in various aspects of the De Beers Group of companies, before being appointed as Managing Director in 2006. She is a pioneer in the industry and an inspiration to women both within and outside the jewelry industry.

Matt Stuller, Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Global Strategist of Stuller, Inc., will receive the WJA Ben Kaiser Award. His endeavours in building Stuller, Inc. from start to an ultra-modern manufacturing facility with a portfolio spanning 340,000 jewelry-related products. The company is a De Beers Diamond Trading Company sightholder.

Helzberg Diamond will be honoured for WJA’s Corporate Award for Excellence, for its continued commitment to the advancement of women in the jewelry industry. Helzberg Diamonds® is a retail and online jewelry store focused on customer service and is part of the Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.

“We are extremely proud to have the opportunity to award these three deserving recipients,” enthused Kendra Bridel Weinman, President of the Women’s Jewelry Association, “These individuals and their organizations perfectly embody our mission as an organization—to empower women to reach their greatest potential.”

At the July 25 event, WJA also will present Awards for Excellence in retail, design, manufacturing/ supplier, sales, marketing and communications, editorial/reporting/publishing, and special services. The event will be chaired by Michelle Peranteau of Platinum Guild International.