Hugh Bell, president of Rio Grande, an American supplier of jewelry industry tools and equipment, wants to help “passionate people” join the gem and jewelry industry. To that end, he has contributed $150,000 to establish an endowed scholarship for aspiring gem and jewelry students at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

“We need more people with passion—passion for gems and passion for jewelry,” said Bell. “Not everyone with the desire has the means.” Bell says he hopes the company’s endowed fund will help more people accomplish their goal to become part of the industry through a GIA education.

Bell’s contribution will be formally recognized at the GIA League of Honor dinner, to be held Oct. 12 in New York City, where he will be inducted with other industry leaders. The event honors the philanthropic generosity of those who contribute $100,000 or more to the Institute. In addition, a classroom at the Carlsbad campus will be named after the company.

To learn more about the GIA Endowment Fund, e-mail Jane Lynch, director of institute relations for GIA, at jane.lynch@gia.edu, or call (760) 603-4114.