Press Releases

GEM Awards Nomination Period Opens

Nominations will be accepted in four categories through June 28, 2019.

Published

6 years ago

May 29, 2019

INSTORE Staff

(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK – Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, has announced that submissions are being accepted in four categories for the 18th Annual GEM Awards which will be held on January 10, 2020, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York. GEM Awards, the jewelry industry’s premier accolade gala, honors the achievements of individuals and companies whose work raises the visibility of fine jewelry and watches.

The GEM Awards Committee is now seeking suggestions for 2020 GEM Awards nominees in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, Retail Excellence and Watch Excellence. Companies and individuals can submit themselves or others for consideration through June 28, 2019, at https://gemawards.jewelers.org/awards/process/nominate.

The GEM Awards Committee will review all submissions and select the 2019 GEM Awards nominees and/or honorees. After the nominees are announced and supporting materials are collected, the GEM Awards Committee will vote to determine the winner in each category. An independent auditing firm tallies the votes to keep winners confidential until a live reveal during the ceremony on January 10, 2020. A Lifetime Achievement recipient will also be selected by the GEM Awards Committee, which is presented to a single honoree announced prior to the event.

Olivier Stip will once again lead the 2020 GEM Awards Committee as Chair. The Committee 2020 GEM Awards Committee Members are: Randi Udell Alper, London Jewelers; Sarin Bachmann, JCK & LUXURY – Reed Jewelry Group; Stephane Barraque, Timeless Distributions; David Bonaparte, Jewelers of America; David Bouffard, Signet Jewelers; Gannon Brousseau, Jewelry Group – Emerald Expositions; Stephanie Evans Greene, Hearts On Fire; Marion Fasel, The Adventurine; Michelle Graff, National Jeweler; Will Kahn, Town & Country; Roberta Naas, ATimelyPerspective.com; Russell Pagliughi, Marina B.; Matthew Rosenheim, Tiny Jewel Box; Steven Kaiser – Chairman Emeritus, Kaiser Time Inc.

For the complete list of the GEM Awards Committee, to secure sponsorships or tickets, or to learn more about the January 10, 2020 gala, visit http://gemawards.jewelers.org

Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless

When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time. "We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them. Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."