TrendsAug 25, 2021
Live from Couture: Meet the Design AtelierEvents & AwardsAug 27, 2021
See the Winning Couture 2021 Design Awards Jewels
And meet the winner of the annual Cindy Edelstein honor.
This Retrouvai ring earned designer Kirsty Stone a Couture Design Award in the “Best in Bridal” category.
Las Vegas—Of all the designers who took their chances submitting entries to this year’s Couture Design Awards, several outstanding jewelry makers came up winners.
Held Wednesday night at the Wynn Las Vegas’ new outdoor pavilion, the annual awards showcase highlighted the best and boldest creations of designers’ imaginations.
While opening the ceremony, Couture Show Director Gannon Brosseau remarked, “While I obviously wasn’t at the first Couture, I’ve heard all the stories. I’m told it was an intrepid band of misfits who came together to define the industry, united by a shared love of beauty and design and a deep appreciation for one another.
“What I see here tonight reminds me a lot of those stories. All of you, against all odds, coming together, believing in this event, believing in each other and showing up, because this is Couture and that’s what we do.”
This year’s judges selected three finalists and, then, one winner in each category.
The judges were: Robb Report’s Kareem Rashed; Lynn Yaeger, a contributing fashion editor and writer for publications such as Vogue; designer Silvia Furmanovich; Liebe Gamble of June Simmons Jewelers; and Yael Reinhold Lipnik of Reinhold Jewelers.
For the fifth year, the Cindy Edelstein Award was given to an individual who has helped to shape and support the jewelry industry.
The 2021 recipient was Neiman Marcus Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager of Precious Jewels Larry Pelzel.
In a video, colleagues remarked on Pelzel’s enthusiasm and vitality over his 40-year career as a buyer for the upscale department store, recognizing his contributions to the jewelry community.
See the winning designs in the gallery below.
Best in Innovative: Studio Renn
Best in Diamonds Below $20,000: Ondyn
Best in Diamonds Above $20,000: Sutra
Best in Pearls: Assael
Best in Haute Couture: Lotus Arts de Vivre
Best in Men’s: ArtyA
Best in Silver: Tane Mexico 1942
Best in Bridal: Retrouvai
Best in Colored Gemstones Below $20,000: Harwell Godfrey
Best in Colored Gemstones Above $20,000: Vram
Best in Gold: Mariani
Best in Debuting: Elsa Jin
Editor’s Choice: Bayco
People’s Choice: Assael
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
TrendsAug 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: August’s Bright BaublesAs summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.
CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in QueensMoshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.
MajorsAug 04, 2025
Borsheims Welcomes New Assistant Facilities ManagerXavier Dibbrell brings more than a decade of experience to the role.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
Weekly QuizJul 31, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.
IndependentsJul 31, 2025
Matthew Tratner Takes Over as CBG President Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
FinancialsJul 30, 2025
Kering's Jewelry Brands Resilient As H1 Sales Slide 16%The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.
WatchesJul 30, 2025
Peek Inside Zadok Jewelers’ New Rolex Showroom in AustinIts opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.
SurveysJul 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JulyRespondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
SourcingJul 30, 2025
Rob Bates to Release Latest Book in His ‘Diamond District Mystery’ Series“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.
EditorsJul 29, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s Design Studio in LASenior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2025
Melee The Show Welcomes 15 New DesignersThe first-time exhibitors, set to debut at the New York City show, share a devotion to craftsmanship, storytelling, and material integrity.
SourcingJul 29, 2025
Auctim to Offer 7.3M+ Carats of Rough EmeraldsThe online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.
MajorsJul 29, 2025
Alexis Padis Re-Elected AGS Board President She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.
Policies & IssuesJul 28, 2025
U.S.-EU Come to Agreement on Tariffs Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.
CollectionsJul 28, 2025
Nanis Brings a New Palette to ‘Ipanema’A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.
MajorsJul 28, 2025
The 1916 Company Partners with ‘Shark Tank’ Star’s Watch Insurance PlatformThe retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.
IndependentsJul 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin to Open Flagship in Arkansas The jeweler’s largest store yet is set to open in Little Rock next fall.
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong ShowJewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.
