Tiffany & CFDA Add $25K Scholarship for Jewelry Students

A jewelry design student somewhere in America just got a clearer path to their dream career.

Tiffany & Co. and the Council of Fashion Designers of America announced they're expanding their jewelry designer initiative with a brand new scholarship program. The Tiffany x CFDA Jewelry Design Scholar Award will give one student $25,000 plus a summer internship at Tiffany, opening doors that might otherwise stay locked for emerging talent.

The move builds on the success of their inaugural program launched last year. That initiative supports early-career designers with funding and mentorship, and it clearly struck gold. Now they're reaching even earlier in the talent pipeline to catch students before they graduate.

The main award program continues this year with enhanced benefits. Finalists receive funding to create a three to five piece collection while getting one-on-one time with Tiffany's design team. They'll spend several weeks learning about craftsmanship and exploring materials at one of the world's most iconic jewelry houses.

One winner will walk away with $50,000 and a full year working alongside Tiffany's designers. That's not just prize money. That's a career launchpad.

The Ripple Effect

The CFDA Scholarship Fund has already supported more than 400 student designers across fashion. Bringing that proven model into fine jewelry creates a talent development system that catches designers at multiple stages of their journey.

First-year winner Jameel Mohammed, founder of jewelry brand Khiry, now sits on the selection committee. He's joined by cultural heavyweights including Gabrielle Union Wade, Andrew Bolton from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Sotheby's Frank Everett. Their combined expertise ensures winners get more than money. They get access to networks that usually take decades to build.

The committee represents the intersection of fashion, jewelry, and culture. That diversity of perspectives means students and emerging designers alike get evaluated on creativity, craft, and cultural relevance.

"We believe that creativity is the driving force behind American fashion, and this award is a testament to that shared belief," said CFDA CEO Steven Kolb. His organization has championed American design talent for decades, and this partnership extends that mission into jewelry with serious financial backing.

Applications open Monday and close June 1, giving students and emerging designers a few months to prepare their submissions.

The expansion sends a clear message: the jewelry industry wants fresh voices and it's willing to invest real money to find them.