Accessories Council Now Accepting Entries for Design Excellence Awards
They include categories for fine and fashion jewelry as well as social impact and sustainability.

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.
The Latest

Family-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.

The Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.

Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.

Criminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.

Ella Blum was appointed to the newly created role.


Sponsored by RapNet

Investment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.

How Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.

It explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.

Retail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.

Taylor Burgess, who has been at Stuller since 2013, was promoted to the newly created role.

Was 2025 a good year for jewelers? Did lab-grown diamonds outsell natural? Find out on the first episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.

Whether you recognize their jewels or are just discovering them now, these designers’ talent and vision make them ones to watch this year.

Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.

Plus, JSA’s Scott Guginsky discusses the need for jewelers to take more precautions as the gold price continues to climb.

Morris’ most cherished role was being a mother and grandmother, her family said.

“Vimini” is the first chapter of the “Bulgari Eternal” collection that merges archival pieces with modern creations.

Data built on trust, not tracking, will be key to success going forward, as the era of “borrowed attention” ends, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Heath Yarges brings two decades of experience to the role.

Pete’s boundless curiosity extended beyond diamond cut and he was always eager to share his knowledge with others, no matter the topic.

Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier had another successful holiday season, Richemont reported this week.

Our Piece of the Week is Lagos’ “Bee” brooch that was seen on the red carpet for the first time on Sunday.

Trevor Jonathan Wright led a crew in a string of armed robberies targeting South Asian-owned jewelry stores on the East Coast.

The program recognizes rising professionals in the jewelry industry.

A new lifestyle section and a watch showcase have been added to this year’s event.

Avocados From Mexico is celebrating those who love to double-dip in game day guacamole with a 14-karat yellow gold tortilla chip necklace.

Petra Diamonds unearthed the 41.82-carat, Type IIb blue diamond at the Cullinan Mine.

























