GIA Concludes Buccellati Design Award, Sets Sights on New Competition

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), in partnership with the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation, has presented its ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design to GIA graduate Catherine Aulick. The award ceremony took place on February 6 at the University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum, coinciding with the closing day of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) 2026 GemFair in Tucson.

Aulick's winning design, a hand-rendered necklace featuring gold, Ethiopian opal, and peridot, was selected from 12 finalist entries. These submissions represented graduates from GIA’s Gemology and Jewelry Arts programs across its global campuses in London, Mumbai, New York, Taiwan, and Carlsbad. Aulick expressed her gratitude, stating, 'I want to thank the Buccellati Foundation and GIA for the honor of this award. Hand rendering has given me a new and beautiful language for communicating my designs.'

A Legacy of Design Recognition

Established in 2018, the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design aimed to recognize and celebrate outstanding design talent among GIA students worldwide. The annual competition involved a review of over 200 student works by peers, faculty, and a panel of distinguished judges. Finalist designs were typically showcased in exhibitions in Tucson and New York.

The GIA Jewelry Design course, which Aulick completed in Carlsbad, covers essential aspects of design, including drafting, shading, design theory, and illustration across various media. Graduates of the course develop a comprehensive portfolio of their work, including digital copies.

Cathryn Ramirez, GIA chief learning officer, commented on the conclusion of the award: 'It’s been a pleasure collaborating with the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation and presenting this award each year. The institute is currently planning its new design competition, and details will be shared in the near future.'

About the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation

The Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation, established in 2008, is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the significant artistic and cultural heritage of Gianmaria Buccellati and his father, Mario. Gianmaria Buccellati’s work has received numerous accolades from the Italian and French governments and has been featured in exhibitions globally, with pieces included in permanent collections at institutions such as The Pitti Palace, The Smithsonian, and the Kremlin museums.

Beyond supporting aspiring young designers and goldsmiths, the foundation also engages in publishing books and presenting exhibitions of Gianmaria’s work internationally.

The conclusion of this award marks the end of an era for GIA's design recognition program, as the institute prepares to launch a new initiative to continue fostering talent in jewelry design.