(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK — Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, announce the winners of the 20th annual GEM Awards that took place on Friday, March 18, 2022, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York. Stephen Lussier of De Beers received the prestigious GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement and Lorraine Schwartz received the GEM Award for Jewelry Style. The winners in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence and Retail Excellence were revealed live to an audience of over 500 press and jewelry industry elite.
Lauren Harwell Godfrey won the GEM Award for Jewelry Design. The other nominees in the Jewelry Design category were Beth Bugdaycay of Foundrae and Brent Neale Winston of Brent Neale. The award was presented by 2015 GEM Award for Jewelry Design winner Stephen Webster.
The GEM Award for Media Excellence was awarded to Melanie Grant, presented by two-time GEM Award winner Marion Fasel. Annabel Davidson and Daisy Shaw-Ellis were the other talented Media Excellence nominees.
Marissa Collections took home the award for GEM Award for Retail Excellence. The other nominees for Retail Excellence were MUSE and Saks Fifth Avenue. The award was presented by 2020 GEM Award for Retail Excellence winner Paul Schneider of Twist.
Lorraine Schwartz brought her usual high style as she was presented with the GEM Award for Jewelry Style. The audience was treated to tribute videos from a variety of celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Tina Knowles and Pharrell. Blake Lively then took the stage to present the GEM Award to Lorraine with a heartfelt speech. Lorraine thanked her beloved family, clients and the jewelry industry saying, “I am really so grateful to the industry. We really do have a lot to say, and we can do so much for the future generation.”
Stephen Lussier was honored with the GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement for setting a standard of excellence that has pushed the diamond industry forward in pursuit of the diamond dream. In his speech, he said, “Consumers want to associate with the categories of products and brands that share their values. That to me is the new part of the diamond dream.” Charles Stanley presented the award to Lussier.
Jewelers of America’s Amanda Gizzi served as the host for the evening with GEM Awards Chair Randi Udell Alper of London Jewelers providing a welcome video. Sponsors of the 2022 GEM Awards included: Cornerstone Sponsors – CHANEL, DeBeers Group, and Synchrony; Premier Sponsor – Natural Diamond Council; Patron Sponsor – David Yurman; Benefactor Sponsors – COUTURE, GIA, Movado Group and Reed Jewelry Group; Partner Sponsors – Heather B. Moore, Jewelers Mutual Group, Marco Bicego, National Jeweler, and Sarine.