Press Releases

GEM Awards Nominations Now Being Accepted

Published

8 years ago

May 30, 2017

INSTORE Staff

The deadline is June 30.

(Press Release) NEW YORK – Jewelers of America, the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, announced that submissions are being accepted in four categories for the 16th Annual GEM Awards gala taking place on Jan. 19, 2018, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York.

The GEM Awards honor 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 2018 GEM Awards nominees in the categories of Jewelry Design, Marketing & Communications, Media Excellence and – new for 2018 – Retail Innovation. Companies and individuals can submit themselves or others for consideration through June 30, 2017, at www.jewelers.org/gemawards.

“Consumer shopping habits are evolving at lightning speed,” said Amanda Gizzi, director of PR and events. “We look forward to celebrating the leaders in our industry who are pushing the innovation envelope. Our new GEM Award for Retail Innovation will bring those leaders in retail into the spotlight.”

The GEM Awards Committee will review the submissions select the 2018 GEM Awards Nominees.

After the nominees are announced, a panel of industry experts 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 Jan. 19. There will be three nominees per category, with the exception of Lifetime Achievement, which is presented to a single honoree announced prior to the event.

“GEM Awards is a very special evening dedicated to celebrating those who elevate our industry and inspire consumers to covet and purchase fine jewelry,” said GEM Awards Chair Norman Miller. “We are calling on all facets of our dynamic industry to submit the best and brightest leaders in each of the GEM Awards categories for potential nomination.”

The GEM Awards Committee is: Norman Miller, Chair; Sarin Bachmann, Luxury by JCK; Hyla Bauer; David Bonaparte, Jewelers of America; David Bouffard, Signet Jewelers; Gannon Brousseau, The Jewelry Group – Emerald Expositions; Caryl Capeci, Hearts On Fire; Rachel Garrahan; Michelle Graff, National Jeweler; Jenny Luker, Platinum Guild International; Roberta Naas, ATimelyPerspective.com; Russell Pagliughi, Atelier Swarovski; Michelle Peranteau, Harry Winston; Nancy Robey, The Nancy Robey Partnership, Inc.; Kara Ross, UNLEASHED by Kara Ross; Marisol Silva, BVLGARI; Olivier Stip, CHANEL.

Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success

After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone. Wilkerson's comprehensive approach transformed this challenging transition into a remarkable success story. Their strategic planning handled everything from advertising and social media to inventory management and staffing — elements that would overwhelm most jewelers attempting to navigate a closing sale independently. The results speak volumes. "Wilkerson gave us three different tiers of potential goals," Finkle notes. "We've reached that third tier, that highest goal already, and we still have two weeks left of the sale." The partnership didn't just meet financial objectives—it exceeded them ahead of schedule.