Women’s Jewelry Association’s Ruby Gala Celebrates 40th Anniversary
Benefit Commemorates Four Decades of Dedication to Empowering Women in the Jewelry and Watch Industries
The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) will host their Ruby Gala, marking the 40th anniversary, on November 2nd at the iconic The Pool Lounge in the historic Seagram Building in New York City. The milestone event will recognize the organizations visionaries and raise funds to support the mission of the Women’s Jewelry Association Foundation, which stands as a beacon of support and empowerment for women in the jewelry and watch industries.
The gala, whose previous guests and honorees have included Donna Karan, Iris Apfel, Fern Mallis, Stellene Volandes, Mercedes Abramo, and Nadja Swarovski, will be co-chaired by Monica Elias, CEO and Executive Producer of Elias World Media, and Susan Chandler, WJA President and Chief Merchandising Offer for Citizen Watch America. The gala will be emceed by John Greene, President & CEO of Lux Bond & Green and encourages attendees to wear the color red, in solidarity with the anniversary color and theme. It gathers philanthropists, fashion, and jewelry and watch VIPs, and other key influencers to network and honor founding members, international board and chapter past presidents, as well as scholarship recipients for their contributions to WJA.
WJA Executive Committee members include President of the Association Susan Chandler, Citizen Watch America, Nan Palmer, FACEts Consulting and LuxeRox, Jacqueline Raffi, Hearts On Fire, Gabrielle Grazi, National Diamond Council, Raquel Alonso-Perez, Harvard University, and Jacqueline Cassaway. The International Association board includes Aida Alvarez, Sarin Bachmann, Rebecca Boyagian, Kendra Bridelle, Jennifer Brock, Shauna Brook, Taylor Burgess, Donna DeLucia, Monica Elias, Rachel Goldflam, Michele Lau, Morgan Miller, Lilly Mullen, Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos, Lotanna Amina Okpukpara, Tina Olm, Tanya Parikh, Mark Smelzer, Monica Stephenson, Ted Taylor, Matthew Tratner, Victoria Wieck. The Women’s Jewelry Foundation Board includes Annie Doresca, Lauren Johansen, Brandee Dallow, Gabrielle Grazi, Nikia Levesque, Amy Levine, Belit Myers, Tiffany Stevens, and Susan Wheeler Geraghty.
The evening will begin with red carpet arrivals, followed by champagne and cocktails with hors d’oeuvres and gourmet dinner stations from the team behind Carbone, Torrisi, and Lobster Club. Performances will include select acts from Élan Artists, including extraordinary harpist Lexie Lowell alongside a percussionist. Internationally acclaimed urban musicians Drumadics will also bring on a high-energy performance of trumpets, saxophones, and bucket drums. A dual aerialist by Astarte Creative will perform alongside the musicians, against the backdrop of the ethereal backlit window chain curtains. Ensembles will don hand-beaded, haute couture costumes, embracing an evening of luxury.
The night will also include an auction led by renowned auctioneer, gemologist, and jewelry specialist Caroline Ervin via the Lydia Fenet Agency. The featured lot provided by Inspiration For Good and a paddle raise will invite guests to contribute to the WJA’s mission and Foundation’s scholarship program.
The auction will be followed by spellbinding performance by Astarte Creative, a dance act which seamlessly weaves together the elegance of Moulin Rouge Paris and the vibrancy of modern-day pop style New York, within a custom jewel-themed montage exclusively created for the evening’s guests. The night will crescendo with an electrifying performance by Lorenzo Laroc, the New York native virtuoso, on his signature five-string plexiglass electronic violin, playing a range of musical styles, from jazz and rock to Latin.
The gala is generously sponsored by De Beers, Jewelers Mutual, Citizen Watch America, GIA, Elias World Media, JCK, Krainz Creations, Platinum Guild International, Stuller, The Centurion Jewelry Show, BOSS Logics, Chrysmela, Goldstar, Heritage Auctions, Instore, Lux, Bond & Green, Marco Bicego, Richline Group, Sheetal, Uni-Design, V&A Group, and Casadevall Group.
Tickets for the WJA Ruby Gala are limited, and available for purchase at https://wja.wedoauctions.com. For sponsorship opportunities and further information, please contact info@womensjewelryassociation.com.
