Jewelers of America Opens Nominations for 25th Annual Gem Awards

Jewelers of America (JA) has officially opened the nomination period for the 25th annual Gem Awards, the premier event recognizing outstanding achievements within the fine jewelry and watch industry. The milestone celebration is scheduled to take place on Friday, March 12, 2027, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.

Call for Nominations

The Gem Awards Committee is currently accepting self-nominations in three key categories: Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation. The nomination window will remain open until July 31, 2026. This self-nomination process allows individuals and brands to directly present their comprehensive body of work and accomplishments to the committee, offering a robust platform to showcase their contributions.

Amanda Gizzi, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Jewelers of America, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming event. 'The Gem Awards have spent 25 years recognizing the visionaries, innovators, and storytellers whose work elevates the jewelry and watch industry,' Gizzi stated. 'As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we are proud to continue providing a platform that honors the designers, retailers, and media professionals that inspire excellence across our industry. We look forward to seeing the submissions of those whose creativity, leadership, and dedication are shaping the future.'

The Nomination and Judging Process

The Gem Awards serve to honor individuals and companies whose efforts enhance the visibility and artistry of fine jewelry and timepieces. The Gem Awards Committee will meticulously review all submitted nominations to determine the final nominees and honorees for each category. These selections will be publicly announced prior to the gala.

Following the announcement, a distinguished panel of industry experts will meticulously judge the finalists. Their ballots will be sent to an independent firm, which will tabulate the results, ensuring confidentiality until the winners are revealed live during the Gem Awards ceremony. The judging criteria focus on the body of work presented from a specific period of time.

The 2027 Gem Awards Committee

The esteemed 2027 Gem Awards Committee is chaired by Marion Fasel of The Adventurine. The committee comprises:

• Randi Udell Alper, London Jewelers
• Sarin Bachmann, JCK and Luxury
• David Bonaparte, Jewelers of America
• Sam Broekema, Natural Diamond Council
• Gannon Brousseau, Couture
• Annie Doresca, Diamond Council of America
• Tanya Dukes, industry journalist
• Dorit Engel, Chanel
• Jennifer Gandia, Greenwich St. Jewelers
• Michelle Graff, National Jeweler
• Lauren Harwell Godfrey, Harwell Godfrey
• Sally Morrison
• Rebecca Moskal, Communiqué
• Jill Newman, industry journalist

Opportunities for Engagement

Tickets, sponsorship packages, and advertising opportunities for the 2027 Gem Awards are now available. This event presents a premier opportunity for brands to align themselves with industry excellence and celebrate the year's most outstanding contributors. Receiving a Gem Award signifies the highest standard of achievement in the fine jewelry and watch sector.

For detailed nomination guidelines, ticketing information, sponsorship details, and advertising options, interested parties are encouraged to visit the official Gem Awards website at gemawards.jewelers.org.