International State of Practice 2026
International State of Practice is a webinar series created by the Community for Ethical Jewelry, addressing the urgency of sustainability in Jewelry and Metalsmithing.
Webinar was held on April 2nd, 2026
NO ONE AT THE BENCH:
Aligning Retail Reality and Jewelry Education
Special Guests
Sonia Chavez, Founder & CEO of CAZA Collective
With
Fanya Hull, of Vardy’s Jewelers
Topics discussed:
Sonia’s personal findings on the state of the jewelry industry as it pertains to bench jewelry positions.
What does a bench jeweler position look like including typical pay, job growth, and preferred skills?
How do current academic programs affect student transitions from art schools to jewelry positions?
How does the industry appeal to this generation’s expectations and the ambitions of creative minded students?
How do ethically minded jewelry practices fit into bench jewelry positions?
NO ONE AT THE BENCH:
Aligning Retail Reality and Jewelry Education
Skilled bench jewelers are in demand across the jewelry industry. For students and educators, this moment represents more than a workforce challenge. It represents opportunity.
Community for Ethical Jewelry is convening a focused conversation to help our members step confidently into that opportunity.
Join us for a dialogue moderated by Sonia Chavez of CAZA Collective, a jewelry industry recruiter who connects jewelers and jewelry businesses nationwide. Sonia will share her firsthand findings on bench jeweler hiring, including compensation ranges, job growth potential, and the specific skills retailers are seeking.
She will be joined by Fanya Hull of Vardy’s Jewelers, who will offer a retailer’s perspective on what a bench jeweler role looks like in today’s store environment. Together, they will explore what defines readiness at the bench and what long term advancement can look like.
We will examine how academic programs shape the transition from art-based education to professional bench positions, where expectations align, and where they diverge. We will also discuss how creative ambitions intersect with the practical realities of bench roles and how emerging jewelers can evaluate these opportunities strategically.
Finally, we will explore how ethically minded jewelry practices are lived at the bench, through craftsmanship, material stewardship, transparency, and professional standards.
This webinar is designed for CEJ students, educators, and emerging professionals seeking clarity, insight, and practical tools for navigating the next step in their careers.
We anticipate this to be a lively discussion and look forward to active participation by students, educators, jewelers, business owners, and industry professionals interested in this topic.
Special Guests
Sonia Chavez
FOUNDER & CEO, CAZA COLLECTIVE | FOUNDER, CAZA CONNECT | JEWELRY INDUSTRY RECRUITMENT & WORKFORCE STRATEGIST
Sonia Chavez has more than two decades of experience in talent acquisition and workforce strategy, including leading recruiting efforts at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and founding CAZA Collective, a recruiting and HR consulting firm dedicated exclusively to the diamond, gem, and jewelry industry. She is also the founder of CAZA Connect, a career and professional development platform designed to support employers and job seekers across all facets of the industry.
Through her work, Sonia partners with manufacturers, retailers, and brands to address hiring challenges, workforce shortages, and evolving talent needs. She works closely with companies seeking skilled craftspeople and has firsthand insight into the growing demand for Bench Jewelers across the market.
In this webinar, Sonia will share practical insights into how to pursue a career as a Bench Jeweler and the various career paths available to skilled professionals. She will also discuss the industry-wide shortage of Bench Jewelers, the increasing demand for these skills, and what this means for individuals considering entering or advancing in this trade. Her goal is to provide clear, realistic guidance and to highlight the long-term opportunities available to bench professionals in today’s market.
Fanya Hull
GIA ACCREDITED JEWELRY PROFESSIONAL, DIAMOND AND COLOR SPECIALIST
Fanya has over two decades of experience in the jewelry business and is a GIA Accredited Jewelry Professional. She leverages her Bachelors degree in International Business and Finance from Loyola Marymount University to secure the best prices for her customers, as Vardy’s sources the best in precious gems from around the world. Fanya’s training spans diamonds and colored gemstones – both precious and semi-precious.
Fanya’s passion is working with customers to make their desires tangible and to realize those treasures within the customer’s budget. She is the bridge between customers’ dreams and our goldsmiths’ craft. Answering questions and explaining style choices is important to Fanya, because at Vardy’s Jewelers, we believe that our best customer is an educated customer and one that will be back time and time again!