Events & AwardsJan 25, 2022
JA Is Accepting Entries for the CASE AwardsEvents & AwardsFeb 16, 2022
GIA Names Design Competition Winner in Tucson
The annual award, in partnership with the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation, honors one design student.
Pictured alongside Larry French, chief officer of North America strategies at the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation (left) and GIA President and CEO Susan Jacques (right) is the winner of the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design, Meghan Simmons.
Tucson, Ariz.—The Gemological Institute of America and the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation picked a winner in their latest annual design competition.
At the annual GIA alumni event held this month concurrently with the Tucson gem shows, Meghan Simmons received the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
Now in its fifth year, the design competition is open to students who completed the GIA Jewelry Design Course in the last year.
More than 80 students worldwide competed in the competition, which was narrowed to 11 finalists.
Then, a panel of judges selected the winner. The judges were Alishan Halebian of Alishan Jewelry; Victoria Gomelsky, editor-in-chief of JCK; Douglas Hucker, CEO of AGTA; artist and jewelry illustration expert Remy Rotenier of Remy Rotenier Jewelry; and Shelly Sergent of the Somewhere In The Rainbow gem and jewelry collection.
Finalists submitted jewelry renderings that were judged on aesthetic appeal and how well students applied the skills they learned at GIA.
Winner Simmons rendered an earring depicted in gold with diamonds and blue sapphires.
She graduated from the GIA Jewelry Design Course in Carlsbad, California last year, which teaches drafting, shading, design theory, and illustration through several mediums. Students leave the course with a physical and digital portfolio; it’s offered at all GIA campuses.
Simmons said of her winning design, “I was inspired by the abstract artist Wassily Kandinsky. This earring design explores the use of line and shape, seeking to achieve a sense of balance through divergence.”
The competition was founded in 2018 in partnership with the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation to recognize outstanding design talent.
Foundation Chief Officer, North America strategies, Larry French said: “This competition was born out of the life and work of Gianmaria Buccellati. We are sure this year’s winner, Meghan Simmons, will enjoy her award, a week in Italy beginning in Florence, then on to Venice with the trip ending in Milan.
“We congratulate not only all the students who participated in this year’s design competition but also the talented instructors from GIA who guided the students on this beautiful art. We hope that all the designers who participated will continue to grow in their art so that it becomes a way of life, as it was for Gianmaria.”
The 2022 competition is now open to students in the GIA Jewelry Design Course.
Related stories will be right here …
At the annual GIA alumni event held this month concurrently with the Tucson gem shows, Meghan Simmons received the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
Now in its fifth year, the design competition is open to students who completed the GIA Jewelry Design Course in the last year.
More than 80 students worldwide competed in the competition, which was narrowed to 11 finalists.
Then, a panel of judges selected the winner. The judges were Alishan Halebian of Alishan Jewelry; Victoria Gomelsky, editor-in-chief of JCK; Douglas Hucker, CEO of AGTA; artist and jewelry illustration expert Remy Rotenier of Remy Rotenier Jewelry; and Shelly Sergent of the Somewhere In The Rainbow gem and jewelry collection.
Finalists submitted jewelry renderings that were judged on aesthetic appeal and how well students applied the skills they learned at GIA.
Winner Simmons rendered an earring depicted in gold with diamonds and blue sapphires.
Meghan Simmons’ winning design
She graduated from the GIA Jewelry Design Course in Carlsbad, California last year, which teaches drafting, shading, design theory, and illustration through several mediums. Students leave the course with a physical and digital portfolio; it’s offered at all GIA campuses.
Simmons said of her winning design, “I was inspired by the abstract artist Wassily Kandinsky. This earring design explores the use of line and shape, seeking to achieve a sense of balance through divergence.”
The competition was founded in 2018 in partnership with the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation to recognize outstanding design talent.
Foundation Chief Officer, North America strategies, Larry French said: “This competition was born out of the life and work of Gianmaria Buccellati. We are sure this year’s winner, Meghan Simmons, will enjoy her award, a week in Italy beginning in Florence, then on to Venice with the trip ending in Milan.
“We congratulate not only all the students who participated in this year’s design competition but also the talented instructors from GIA who guided the students on this beautiful art. We hope that all the designers who participated will continue to grow in their art so that it becomes a way of life, as it was for Gianmaria.”
The 2022 competition is now open to students in the GIA Jewelry Design Course.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
Weekly QuizOct 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Gesswein Hires Longtime Bench Jeweler, Educator Ann CahoonCahoon was appointed strategic account and educational program manager at Gesswein, which recently joined Continental Buying Group.
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Amanda Seyfried Stars In Tiffany & Co.’s Holiday CampaignTiffany & Co.’s latest ambassador makes her debut in its “Love Is a Gift” holiday campaign.
EditorsOct 28, 2026
These Wicked Jewels Will Cast a Spell on YouFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow highlights bewitching jewels fit for a witch that go from day to unholy night.
CrimeOct 28, 2026
Man In Florida Who Swallowed Tiffany & Co. Earrings ConvictedJaythan Gilder was found guilty of robbery and grand theft after stealing and then ingesting nearly $800,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
SurveysOct 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Up in October as Gas Prices EaseConsumer confidence remains on the long-term downward trend that’s persisted over the past few years, said a Conference Board economist.
MajorsOct 28, 2026
Stuller’s Holiday Campaign Lets the ‘Magic of the Moment’ ShineThe holiday campaign includes key jewelry trends, a curated holiday gift guide, and resources to help jewelers prepare for holiday shoppers.
SourcingOct 27, 2026
De Beers Celebrates the Holidays With New ‘Desert Diamonds’ CampaignThe “Icons” holiday campaign spotlights four classic diamond jewelry styles reimagined in “Desert Diamond” tones.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Solomon Brothers Acquires Mervis Diamond ImportersSolomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Gabriel & Co. Supports Charity Partner DKMS With Gala, New JewelsThe fine jewelry brand raised $2.3 million at its annual gala that supports the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
