The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) Foundation has announced the 2024 recipients of its Ella Klein Internship program, Jamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho.
Sponsored by Julius Klein Diamonds (JKD), the program offers participants hands-on training to help prepare them for careers in the diamond and jewelry industries.
Practical Training for Aspiring Professionals
The Ella Klein Internship is organised by the WJA Foundation in collaboration with JKD. This initiative provides selected participants with opportunities to gain experience in the diamond trade through direct engagement with industry professionals. Mark Klein, Vice President of JKD, stated, “Investing in education and training is essential for success in this field, and we are excited to help interns take their careers to the next level.”
Intern Experiences
Both Jamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho shared how the internship helped them build on their educational foundations. Dunton explained that the program allowed her to apply concepts learned at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in a real-world setting. She said, “There are nuances in the trade that don’t exist in the textbooks, like specific terminology or writing both the shape and cut on the papers.”
Botelho highlighted how the program addressed a critical gap in her knowledge of diamonds. “This internship gave me a comprehensive view of the diamond industry. Interacting with experts provided a deeper, more practical understanding of quality evaluation and trade practices,” she said.
Jamie Dunton, highlighting her internship, states, “Interning at JKD put my book knowledge to use and more. It helped me apply what I learned at GIA to actual scenarios. This experience also showed me some differences from the course teachings. There are nuances in the trade that don’t exist in the textbooks (like specific terminology or writing both the shape & cut on the papers).”
Gabriella Botelho says, “My education focused on bench work, CAD, and design, but I lacked diamond-specific knowledge. This internship filled that gap, giving me a comprehensive view of the diamond industry. Interacting with experts gave me a deeper, more practical understanding of the industry, especially regarding quality evaluation and trade practices. It’s an intense, fast-paced program that offers invaluable hands-on experience. I learned far more in real-time at Julius Klein than I could have on my own or in a longer course.
Supporting Future Leaders
Nikia Levesque-Meyer, President of the WJA Foundation, commented on the importance of the program, saying, “The Ella Klein Internship is a shining example of what can be achieved when industry leaders like Julius Klein Diamonds invest in the next generation of talent. Jamie and Gabriella’s experiences reflect our mission to empower women and provide transformative opportunities that propel their careers forward.”
