New York—The Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) Metropolitan Chapter will present a discussion with members of the most famed families in the fine-jewelry industry on Sept. 11 at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

New York—Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) has awarded $25,000 in scholarships to 14 students across the nation.

New York—The New York State Jewelers Association (NYSJA) and National Jeweler magazine gathered more than 275 to the NYSJA's annual awards dinner at the end of July, presenting awards to outstanding sales professionals and jewelers.

Culver City, Calif.—Bidz.com Inc., as of Aug. 19, 2008, has repurchased about 1.16 million shares of its common stock in the open market for approximately $10 million, at an average price of $8.69 per share.

Worcester, Mass.—A Milford, Mass., woman was sentenced on Tuesday for her role in an identify-theft case that involved the purchase of $94,000 in jewelry from GemsTV, The Milford Daily News reported.

Wellington, New Zealand—Down-under jeweler Michael Hill International Ltd. announced on Friday that it is purchasing 17 Whitehall Jewellers stores.

The International Colored Gemstone Association said that the recently passed legislation that bars gemstones of Burmese origin—particularly jadeite and rubies—from entering the U.S. may cause what it terms as “collateral damage” on independent and poor populations in Myanmar and other countries.

Jewelry retailer Michael Hill International Ltd. said Friday it has agreed to buy 17 stores in Illinois and Missouri, its first entry into the U.S. retail market. This will add to the company's inventory of 188 stores in New Zealand and Australia and 22 stores in Canada.