They were announced to an audience of 500.
(Press Release) NEW YORK — Jewelers of America has announced the winners in its 15th annual GEM Awards program.
The winners in the categories of Jewelry Design, Marketing & Communications, Media Excellence and Watch Excellence were revealed to an audience of 500 on Jan. 13 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York.
Jewelry designer Stephen Webster hosted the star-studded gala, including several celebrity guests: actor Cuba Gooding Jr., models Kim Alexis and Jess Hart, Desi Lydic of the “Daily Show,” former “Bachelor” contestant Olivia Caridi and Bon Jovi’s David Bryan.
Lucia Silvestri, jewelry creative director of BVLGARI, won the GEM Award for Jewelry Design. The other nominees were Suzanne Kalan of Suzanne Kalan and Arun Bohra of Arunashi. The award was presented by 2016 GEM Award winner Temple St. Clair.
Kay Jewelers took home the GEM Award for Marketing & Communications. The award was accepted by George Murray, chief merchandising & marketing officer. The other nominees were Hearts On Fire and Monica Rich Kosann. The award was presented by Danny Seo of “Naturally Danny” on NBC.
The GEM Award for Media Excellence was given to Grace Fuller, jewelry editor of W magazine. Rob Bates, news director of JCK and the 2016 GEM Award for Media Excellence winner, presented the award. The other nominees were Amanda Alagem and Stephen Watson.
Patek Philippe received the GEM Award for Watch Excellence. The award was presented by GEM Award winner Roberta Naas, founder of atimelyperspective.com. The other nominees were A. Lange & Söhne and Jaeger-LeCoultre.
Jim Rosenheim, chairman of Tiny Jewel Box in Washington D.C., was honored with the GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement for a career’s worth of contributions to the fine jewelry and watch industry. In his acceptance speech, he stated how his family business was founded on the simple motto: “If it’s not special, it’s not here.”
Sponsors of GEM Awards included: Cornerstone Sponsor – Synchrony Financial; Red Carpet Sponsor – COUTURE; Cocktail Hour Reception Sponsors – D.B.S. Diamonds and Rio Diamond; Premier Sponsors – Signet Jewelers and Atelier Swarovski; Patron Sponsors – CHANEL, Citizen and David Yurman; Benefactor Sponsors – Hearts On Fire, Mikimoto, Movado Group Inc. and Tiffany & Co; Wi-Fi Sponsor – AT&T.