MajorsJan 27, 2022
A New Book Collects the Musings of the Late Jose Hess Events & AwardsMar 14, 2022
The AJDC Jose Hess Design Award Has a $15K Grand Prize
Created in honor of the late designer, the design competition will also award at least six finalists $1,000 each.
Article Image Caption In honor of one of its founding members, the late Jose Hess (pictured), the American Jewelry Design Council has launched a jewelry design competition. (Image courtesy of AJDC)
New York—The American Jewelry Design Council has established a design competition in memory of jewelry designer Jose Hess.
The AJDC Jose Hess Design Award asks applicants to create an original piece of jewelry based on the concept “Connection.”
Entries will first comprise sketches, paintings, and renderings. These works should demonstrate originality, design excellence, and technical skill.
A panel of AJDC members will judge the competition. They are: Maggie Hess, Michael Good, Alan Revere, George Sawyer, Barbara Heinrich, Gregoré Morin, and Paul Klecka.
Entries are due June 1 and should be submitted via the AJDC website.
Finalists will execute their designs, with finished pieces due Sept. 2.
The grand prize winner will receive $15,000. At least six finalists will receive $1,000 awards each.
The “Connection” theme is also the concept for AJDC members’ themed projects for 2023. The competition’s winning designs will be exhibited alongside members’ works at a gala event in Tucson in February 2023.
The AJDC Jose Hess Design Award, to be held biennially, is intended to honor designers who will contribute to the future of American jewelry design, the organization said in a press release.
Related stories will be right here …
The AJDC Jose Hess Design Award asks applicants to create an original piece of jewelry based on the concept “Connection.”
Entries will first comprise sketches, paintings, and renderings. These works should demonstrate originality, design excellence, and technical skill.
A panel of AJDC members will judge the competition. They are: Maggie Hess, Michael Good, Alan Revere, George Sawyer, Barbara Heinrich, Gregoré Morin, and Paul Klecka.
Entries are due June 1 and should be submitted via the AJDC website.
Finalists will execute their designs, with finished pieces due Sept. 2.
The grand prize winner will receive $15,000. At least six finalists will receive $1,000 awards each.
The “Connection” theme is also the concept for AJDC members’ themed projects for 2023. The competition’s winning designs will be exhibited alongside members’ works at a gala event in Tucson in February 2023.
The AJDC Jose Hess Design Award, to be held biennially, is intended to honor designers who will contribute to the future of American jewelry design, the organization said in a press release.
Jose Hess was a designer who majorly contributed to the American design landscape in his career. AJDC said he was at the forefront of the design-driven jewelry movement that has taken over the contemporary landscape.
Hess was a founding member of AJDC. When he began his career in jewelry in the 1960s, jewelry was much more generic, without nearly as many branded styles, especially from independent designers.
Jose Hess (Image courtesy of AJDC)
Hess made sure that his works were sold under his name and joined forces with other designers who were doing the same, forming what would become the AJDC.
In the 1980s and 1990s, branded designer jewelry began to take hold, heralding in today’s era of independent designers.
Today, AJDC supports and inspires contemporary design talent, inviting “the finest jewelry artists of each generation” to join the organization, it explained.
For the last 25 years, it has held its annual design theme project, asking its designer members to submit a work based on a specific theme, ranging from “Transformation, “Flight,” and “Tension,” to “Polka Dots,” “Stripes,” and “Spiral.”
Designs from AJDC’s Polka Dot Design Theme projects. Clockwise from top left: Jose Hess, Diana Vincent, Alan Revere and Gregoré Morin. (Image courtesy of AJDC)
It allows designers the room to imagine and create, oftentimes in entirely different directions than they normally would.
The AJDC promotes its themed projects to consumers and the trade, at museums, trade shows, jewelry stores, and special exhibitions around the world.
Questions about the inaugural American Jewelry Design Council Jose Hess Design Award may be directed to the organization’s president, Paul Klecka, via email at paul@pklecka.com, or phone at (858) 380-6767.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Weekly QuizJan 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Swarovski Appoints New North America PresidentRetail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Stuller Names New Chief Merchandising, Marketing, Sales OfficerTaylor Burgess, who has been at Stuller since 2013, was promoted to the newly created role.
PodcastsJan 21, 2026
Episode 1: High Gold Prices, the Diamond Dilemma, & What’s NextWas 2025 a good year for jewelers? Did lab-grown diamonds outsell natural? Find out on the first episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
EditorsJan 21, 2026
6 Jewelry Designers Poised to Have a Breakout Year in 2026Whether you recognize their jewels or are just discovering them now, these designers’ talent and vision make them ones to watch this year.
SourcingJan 21, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
CrimeJan 21, 2026
4 Men Charged in $1.7M California Smash-and-Grab Jewelry Store RobberyPlus, JSA’s Scott Guginsky discusses the need for jewelers to take more precautions as the gold price continues to climb.
IndependentsJan 21, 2026
Delaware Jeweler Felice Morris Dies at 91Morris’ most cherished role was being a mother and grandmother, her family said.
CollectionsJan 21, 2026
Bulgari Weaves New Collection of ‘Vimini’ Creations“Vimini” is the first chapter of the “Bulgari Eternal” collection that merges archival pieces with modern creations.
ColumnistsJan 20, 2026
First-Party Data Is the Most Valuable Asset Jewelers Have in 2026Data built on trust, not tracking, will be key to success going forward, as the era of “borrowed attention” ends, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsJan 20, 2026
Borsheims Hires New Assistant Facilities ManagerHeath Yarges brings two decades of experience to the role.
EditorsJan 16, 2026
Remembering Pete Yantzer for His Contributions and His Kindness Pete’s boundless curiosity extended beyond diamond cut and he was always eager to share his knowledge with others, no matter the topic.
FinancialsJan 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Shine in Q3Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier had another successful holiday season, Richemont reported this week.
TrendsJan 16, 2026
Diane Lane's Brooch Buzzes at the 2026 Golden GlobesOur Piece of the Week is Lagos’ “Bee” brooch that was seen on the red carpet for the first time on Sunday.
CrimeJan 15, 2026
D.C. Rapper ‘Taliban Glizzy’ Sentenced to 18+ Years for Jewelry Store RobberiesTrevor Jonathan Wright led a crew in a string of armed robberies targeting South Asian-owned jewelry stores on the East Coast.
Events & AwardsJan 15, 2026
Jewelers of Americas’ ‘20 Under 40’ Nominations Now OpenThe program recognizes rising professionals in the jewelry industry.
Events & AwardsJan 15, 2026
Registration for JCK Las Vegas 2026 Is Now OpenA new lifestyle section and a watch showcase have been added to this year’s event.
TrendsJan 15, 2026
Don’t Double-Dip With This Golden ChipAvocados From Mexico is celebrating those who love to double-dip in game day guacamole with a 14-karat yellow gold tortilla chip necklace.
SourcingJan 15, 2026
Nearly 42-Carat Blue Diamond Discovered in South AfricaPetra Diamonds unearthed the 41.82-carat, Type IIb blue diamond at the Cullinan Mine.
