Events & AwardsJul 11, 2022
BIJC’s First Design Competition Ends With a Brooklyn Bridge Proposal Events & AwardsJul 12, 2022
Accessories Council Now Accepting Entries for Design Excellence Awards
They include categories for fine and fashion jewelry as well as social impact and sustainability.
The Accessories Council is calling for entries for its fourth annual Design Excellence Awards.
New York—The Accessories Council’s 2022 Design Excellence Awards are on the horizon.
Launched in 2019, the awards recognize outstanding products across multiple categories including footwear, handbags, eyewear, and accessories such as belts, scarves, and hats.
Two award categories are dedicated to jewelry—one for fine jewelry and the other for fashion or costume jewelry. Other categories possibly applicable to jewelry brands are social impact/charity; sustainability; and tech and innovations.
Last year’s fine jewelry winner was Daria De Koning, while the fashion jewelry winner was Deepa Gurnani. Costume jewelry brand Akola took home the social impact award.
The 2022 nomination period is now open, running from July 5-Aug. 30.
The Accessories Council will announce category finalists on Thursday, Sept. 8.
From there, the public will vote online for category winners. In prior years including 2021, more than 110,000 votes were cast.
Both finalists and winners receive an “AC Seal” that can be used on products for as long as they are sold.
Finalists will appear in the fall issue of AC Magazine, which comes out in October. Winners will be recognized in the winter issue, publishing in January 2023.
Award winners will be announced at an in-person event at the Fashionphile headquarters in New York City on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
At the September finalists announcement, the Accessories Council will also announce a special Hall of Fame award winner, an NPD Growth Driver winner, and the Blackglama Exclusively by Saga Fur award winners.
Sponsors for the 2022 Design Excellence Awards are Marchon, a VSP Vision Company; Blackglama by Saga Furs; Fashionphile; LIM College; and Straub Collective and Market.
Established in 1994, the Accessories Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising consumer awareness and demand for fashion accessory products.
Information on the award categories and the rules for submission are available online.
Related stories will be right here …
Launched in 2019, the awards recognize outstanding products across multiple categories including footwear, handbags, eyewear, and accessories such as belts, scarves, and hats.
Two award categories are dedicated to jewelry—one for fine jewelry and the other for fashion or costume jewelry. Other categories possibly applicable to jewelry brands are social impact/charity; sustainability; and tech and innovations.
Last year’s fine jewelry winner was Daria De Koning, while the fashion jewelry winner was Deepa Gurnani. Costume jewelry brand Akola took home the social impact award.
The 2022 nomination period is now open, running from July 5-Aug. 30.
The Accessories Council will announce category finalists on Thursday, Sept. 8.
From there, the public will vote online for category winners. In prior years including 2021, more than 110,000 votes were cast.
Both finalists and winners receive an “AC Seal” that can be used on products for as long as they are sold.
Finalists will appear in the fall issue of AC Magazine, which comes out in October. Winners will be recognized in the winter issue, publishing in January 2023.
Award winners will be announced at an in-person event at the Fashionphile headquarters in New York City on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
At the September finalists announcement, the Accessories Council will also announce a special Hall of Fame award winner, an NPD Growth Driver winner, and the Blackglama Exclusively by Saga Fur award winners.
Sponsors for the 2022 Design Excellence Awards are Marchon, a VSP Vision Company; Blackglama by Saga Furs; Fashionphile; LIM College; and Straub Collective and Market.
Established in 1994, the Accessories Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising consumer awareness and demand for fashion accessory products.
Information on the award categories and the rules for submission are available online.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
CrimeOct 01, 2026
Police Looking for 4 Suspects in $600K Smash-and-Grab RobberyDubai Jewelers in Springfield, Virginia, was once again the target of an armed robbery.
Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.
SourcingOct 01, 2026
Columbia Gem House Opens ‘Cutting Toward Change’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will benefit an organization working in India to combat silicosis, a lung disease affecting stone cutters.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes’ Championship Ring Reveals Hidden Hockey Puck PendantThe rings, crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills, celebrate the hockey team’s Stanley Cup win with design elements that honor its traditions.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Color Range This roundup of birthstone jewelry for October features vibrant tourmalines and opals with personality.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Botswana’s President, De Beers CEO Say Diamond Demand Is RecoveringPresident Duma Boko spoke at back-to-back events in the city last week, touting Botswana’s stability and the diamond “bounceback.”
CollectionsSep 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Book Is ‘A Living Archive’ The catalog showcases 112 new, one-of-a-kind pieces amid highlights from the jeweler’s historic archive.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Gemfields Posts $98.5M Loss, Writes Down Value of Ruby MineIts Montepuez Ruby Mining operation in Mozambique, which is not yielding enough high-quality rubies, has taken a $125 million hit.
SurveysSep 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls to 12-Year Low in SeptemberThose surveyed were worried about the present and the future, with write-in responses mentioning high oil and gas prices.
IndependentsSep 29, 2026
Christy Bromberg, Longtime Gift Buyer for Underwood Jewelers, Dies at 68She is remembered for her joie de vivre, upbeat personality, genuine interest in other people, and love of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
Dionne Warwick’s Jewelry Goes Up for AuctionOnline bidding is open now for Julien’s sale of items owned by the “Walk On By” singer, whose final album comes out this fall.
ColumnistsSep 29, 2026
Your Holiday Marketing Has a Bridal Blind SpotDecember is the most popular month to propose, and jewelers need to keep that in mind when planning their holiday marketing.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction Wednesday.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
De Beers London Drops Water-Inspired High Jewelry Collection“Vibrations” features several firsts for De Beers’ high jewelry, including the use of chalcedony and diamonds sourced from artisanal miners.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
Jessica McCormack Turns to Classic Motif for New CollectionThe “Bows” collection features three interpretations of the bow motif designed with Georgian and Victorian influences.
Events & AwardsSep 28, 2026
Guy Borenstein, Troy Underwood Among the Professionals Honored at AGS Conclave 2026The American Gem Society recognized industry members, one Guild, and a law enforcement official for their contributions to jewelry.
FinancialsSep 28, 2026
Instappraise, Jewelers Mutual Look to Simplify Jewelry InsuranceThrough a new system integration, customers can now receive instant personal jewelry insurance quotes at the time of appraisal.
WatchesSep 25, 2026
Smaller Rolex Watches Showing Strength on Secondary Market, Data ShowsFive of the 10 fastest-appreciating Rolex models on Bob’s Watches were Datejust 31 or Lady Datejust watches.
MajorsSep 25, 2026
Sherwood Family Buys Back Daniel’s Jewelers from Private EquityThe Sherwood family and AJS Creations CEO Tejas Shah purchased the jewelry chain back from Palladium Equity Partners.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2026
Brilliant Earth Collabs with Elizabeth Taylor Estate on Jewelry Collection“The Elizabeth Taylor Collection” uses lab-grown diamonds and gemstones in contemporary designs inspired by the icon.
TrendsSep 25, 2026
A Peek at Taylor Swift’s Game-Day DiamondsThe artist wore Dana Rebecca Designs’ marquise diamond-set gold hoops at the Chiefs game last Sunday. Now they’re our Piece of the Week.
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be TakingJSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.
