Jewelers of America to Take Over MJSA

By Rob Bates | May 27, 2025

After more than 120 years representing U.S. jewelry-makers, Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA) is becoming part of Jewelers of America (JA).

The boards of both organizations, along with MJSA’s membership, recently approved an agreement to join the groups. The deal is due to be finalized in coming weeks.

“It makes perfect sense for us to unify,” Jewelers of America CEO David Bonaparte (pictured) tells JCK. “The reality is there are some redundancies in both organizations, so there will be some operational efficiencies, cost savings, as well as expanded benefits for members.”

Bonaparte says having a unified group is particularly important as the industry confronts challenges like tariffs and G7 sanctions on Russian diamonds.

“We will now have a stronger voice because we have significant manufacturers affected by these tariffs, and they’ll be able to weigh in,” he says.

MJSA’s headquarters in Providence, R.I., will close, though some of its employees may transfer to JA, according to Bonaparte.

“There will definitely be some continuity,” he says. “We’re in the process of figuring out how everything works.”

Under the affiliation agreement, MJSA will still provide members with educational and informational resources, including its monthly MJSA Journal and online job board. All MJSA members will retain their current benefits and will gain access to JA’s benefits, including the ability to connect with the group’s retail members.

While MJSA will dissolve its current board, it will form an advisory board composed of its current directors, who will give input on issues affecting jewelry manufacturers and designers.

The MJSA Education Foundation, the group’s 501(c)(3) subsidiary focused on students and emerging designers and manufacturers, will continue to operate, with its own board of trustees. Going forward, some of MJSA’s initiatives, including its Mentor & Apprenticeship Program, will merge with JA’s education and certification offerings.

Founded in 1903, MJSA was known for a long time as the Manufacturing Jewelers and Silversmiths in America (and, prior to that, the New England Manufacturing Jewelers’ Association). Since 1959, it has run the MJSA Expo, a trade show dedicated to the needs of jewelry manufacturers and designers. Last year, the retitled MJSA Showcase Pavilion became part of the JA New York show.

(Photo courtesy of Jewelers of America)