Press Releases

Well-Known Actress to Receive 2018 GEM Award for Jewelry Style

Published

7 years ago

September 6, 2017

INSTORE Staff

She’ll be honored on Jan. 19.

(Press Release) NEW YORK — Jewelers of America, the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, and the GEM Awards Committee have announced that actress Debra Messing will receive the GEM Award for Jewelry Style at the 16th annual GEM Awards on Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. Messing will be receiving the GEM Award for her personal style that inspires and encourages consumer desire for fine jewelry. INSTORE DebraMessing

Debra Messing to receive 2018 GEM Award for Jewelry Style at the 16th annual GEM Awards on Jan. 19. Photo credit: Abbey Drucker.

The GEM Awards gala honors the outstanding achievements of individuals or companies whose work raises the visibility and status of fine jewelry and watches.

“Jewelry has been a passion of mine since my father produced the Tiffany heart in his factory in the 70s. My father taught me that jewelry is wearable Art and I have spent countless hours learning about the evolution of design,” said Messing. “A piece of jewelry can make me feel strong, feminine, royal, edgy, demure — I can transform. Every day. My love for jewelry is deep and true and I am beyond honored to be acknowledged in this way. “

Messing’s knowledge of jewelry began as child — her father worked in jewelry manufacturing. Her jewelry style is marked by bold designs, statement pieces and a love for color. Through her exquisite accessory choices, she communicates that jewelry is wearable art and introduces the public to independent designers, acknowledging them freely.

“Jewelers of America is delighted to present the GEM Award for Jewelry Style to Debra Messing. Debra has undoubtedly inspired women to seek out specific jewelry styles and explore how jewelry can make them feel beautiful, strong and confident. Her passion for jewelry and eye for jewelry style has been showcased on red carpets around the globe, at her personal appearances and throughout her widely followed Instagram,” said Amanda Gizz, JA director of PR and events.

Messing is best known for her role as Grace Adler on NBC’s Emmy Award-winning and Golden Globe-nominated comedy series Will & Grace. This fall, Messing is reprising her role on the show’s revival with the entire original creative team, premiering Sept. 28.

Her recent television performances include ABC’s remake of Dirty Dancing, as Marjorie Houseman; the NBC series The Mysteries of Laura; and as Julia Houston in NBC’s Smash, a musical drama about the creation of a new Broadway show.

In addition to the GEM Award for Jewelry Style, Jewelers of America will present the GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement to Sally Morrison and will reveal winners of several other GEM Awards live during the ceremony on January 19, 2018. The nominees in the category of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence and Retail Innovation will be announced soon.

For details on GEM Awards, to purchase tickets, sponsorships or advertisements in the GEM Award Journal, visit www.jewelers.org/gemawards.

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After almost 60 years in business, Breakiron Jewelers in Erie, Pennsylvania, was closing its doors. And the store’s owner, Linda Breakiron, was ready for it. She had run the store as its sole owner since the beginning of the millennium and was looking forward to a change. Of course, she called Wilkerson. Breakiron talked to other jewelers who had used Wilkerson and was satisfied with their response. “They always had positive feedback,” she recalls. With the sales, marketing and even additional inventory that Wilkerson provided, Breakiron insists she could never have accomplished her going-out-of-business sale without Wilkerson’s help. She’s now ready for the journey ahead, but looking back, she’d be sure to recommend Wilkerson. “They just made the whole process very seamless.”