Gem Awards 2024: Celebrating Fine Jewelry

The 22nd GEM Awards just happened. The lavish gala is meant to raise awareness of the fine jewelry and watch industry, and being a part of the event is considered one of the highest honors in the field.

Being recognized by a nomination or winning an award is a sign of professional excellence in the industry, so let’s take a look at the winners of each category this year!

GEM Award For Lifetime Achievement: SUSAN M. Jacques

The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an institution or a person whose career in the fine jewelry and watch industry is especially exemplary. The award is an acknowledgment of the value their work has in the industry and how they represent inspiration to peers in the industry.

Susan M. Jacques is an experienced gemologist and businesswoman currently working as President and CEO of the GIA (Gemological Institute of America). GIA is a non-profit dedicated to researching and learning gemology and regulating the gem and diamond industry. Diamonds from all over the world are sent to be graded at GIA and it is the largest and most trusted nonprofit in the industry.

Jacques joined the non-profits’ Board of Governors in 1996, then served as chair from 2008-2013, before being appointed President and CEO. Before her success at GIA, Jacques worked at Borsheims Fine Jewelry and Gifts as an appraiser and sales associate. She reported directly to Warren Buffett and in 1994 was appointed President and CEO, subsequently leading Borsheims’ extreme growth before leaving for GIA.

“Susan is a cherished member of the jewelry industry, and her commitment to our industry’s success is unwavering. It has been a pleasure to serve alongside Susan throughout her career at Borsheims and now with GIA,” said David J. Bonaparte, the JA President and CEO, when presenting the award.

GEM Award For Jewelry Style

Jewelry Style Award recognizes a public figure who consistently breaks boundaries and shows a unique personal style with jewelry in their day-to-day life.

Cynthia Erivo is an actress, producer, and musician who is dedicated to delivering bold red-carpet and daily jewelry and accessory choices. She is known for chunky oversized pieces, layering, and incorporating color and shape in her jewel stacks. Erivo has been on a roll with starring roles in The Color Purple and the highly anticipated Wicked movie set to release in November 2024, so it is appropriate for her excellent accessorizing to be recognized while on this run of success.

GEM Award for Jewelry Design

Jewelry Design is awarded to an individual for their exceptional jewelry design. Marla Aaron’s design is unique specializing in chains and industrial lock clasps.

Her jewelry is created with fine materials but designed with maximalism in mind becoming chunky bold pieces with colored gems, mixed metals, and unique shapes and clasps. The pieces are eye-catching alone and styled in a stack, for those who can afford these pieces they are beautiful and Marla Aaron is very deserving of the honor.

GEM Award for Media Excellence: Tanya Dukes

The Media Excellence Award is given to an individual who has gone above and beyond exceeding all expectations of media coverage for the fine jewelry and watch industry. The honor is typically given to a fashion editor or accessories editor at a large magazine or to a freelance writer who often contributes to fashion publications about jewelry and watches, this year the winner being Tanya Dukes.

Tanya Dukes is a NYC-based writer, editor, and stylist with years of experience covering and styling high-end jewelry and haute couture pieces. Dukes began at Elite Travel magazine and became the publication’s first Style Editor.

After years of covering travel and fashion weeks in Paris, Milan, and New York, she became the Accessories Editor at Brides Magazine, and then the Senior Editor at jewelry-focused sister publications INDESIGN and INSTORE.

She has had styling work featured in many mainstream magazines like The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and Elle, and is recognized as a leading expert in fine jewelry. Duke’s impressive resume shows she is more than fit to hold the title of this honor.

GEM Award for Retail Excellence: Ben Bridge Jeweler

Retail Excellence is awarded to a store that uses innovative sales tactics while maintaining ethical practices in sourcing and customer service. The retailer can be an online shop, brick-and-mortar store, or both, as long as the values behind the retailer are rooted in wanting to better the jewelry and jewelry sales industry.

Ben Bridge Jeweler is a retailer and personal jeweler with the best customer service there is to offer. The jewelers are knowledgeable in design to help customers create their dream pieces, and importantly are knowledgeable in gemology and conflict diamonds and environmental impacts of creating fine jewelry so customers know what they are buying is ethical.

Ben Bridge prioritizes sustainability and ethical sourcing when ensuring all diamonds and gemstones are from environmentally safe mines and work only with vendors paying fair labor wages.

Special Recognition: Tiffany & Co “The Landmark”

In August 2023 Tiffany & Co. reopened its flagship location on 57th St and Fifth Avenue in New York City. Tiffany decided to renovate its flagship store for the first time since its 1940 release, leaving the location temporarily closed from 2020-2023.

Honoring the building’s original structure, the iconic clock and atlas over the doors were reimagined, while the interior was completely gutted and designed from scratch. The newly renovated space is accompanied by custom artwork and extravagant displays showcasing Tiffany & Co’s finest jewels, all design details create an immersive experience that visitors cannot help but feel an art exhibit vibe.

What’s your favorite jewelry brand? Comment below.