IndependentsJun 06, 2022
The Industry Remembers the ‘Irreplaceable’ Steven KaiserEvents & AwardsOct 05, 2022
Steven Kaiser to Receive Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award
Kaiser, who died in May, will be honored with the 2023 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement for his dedication to the watch industry.
Steven Kaiser will receive the Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement posthumously for the decades of service he dedicated to the watch industry, the Gem Awards, and a slew of organizations including Jewelers for Children, the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, and the Jewelers’ Security Alliance.
New York—The 2023 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement will be presented posthumously to Steven Kaiser for his “lifelong dedication to the watch industry and his support of Gem Awards,” Jewelers of America and the Gem Awards Committee announced Wednesday.
One of the most well-known and well-regarded figures in the watch industry, Kaiser died this past May at age 68.
His unexpected passing came as a shock to his many friends and colleagues in the industry, who remembered his unparalleled ability to connect with people, give advice, and get things done.
“He touched a lot of people and affected a lot of careers and brands,” longtime business associate Diane James told National Jeweler in an interview earlier this year. “He did leave the industry better.”
Kaiser’s career spanned decades, from his early days with Baume & Mercier, to the launch of consultancy Kaiser Time Inc., to his hand in creating Luxury Swiss Watch by JCK and, later, consulting for the Couture show.
In 2020, he started a new job as the U.S. President and CEO for Kennedy Luxury Group, a retailer with 14 stores across Australia.
One of the most well-known and well-regarded figures in the watch industry, Kaiser died this past May at age 68.
His unexpected passing came as a shock to his many friends and colleagues in the industry, who remembered his unparalleled ability to connect with people, give advice, and get things done.
“He touched a lot of people and affected a lot of careers and brands,” longtime business associate Diane James told National Jeweler in an interview earlier this year. “He did leave the industry better.”
Kaiser’s career spanned decades, from his early days with Baume & Mercier, to the launch of consultancy Kaiser Time Inc., to his hand in creating Luxury Swiss Watch by JCK and, later, consulting for the Couture show.
In 2020, he started a new job as the U.S. President and CEO for Kennedy Luxury Group, a retailer with 14 stores across Australia.
He also served on the board of directors for a number of organizations over the years, including Jewelers for Children, the Jewelry Information Center (now part of JA), Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Jewelers’ Security Alliance, and the Gem Awards.
At the time of his passing, Kaiser was the Gem Awards Committee’s chairman emeritus.
“There is no greater honor than being able to give the Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement to Steven Kaiser. Steven was an industry icon who never stopped supporting trade organizations, watch companies, and the individuals who shape them,” said JA President and CEO David J. Bonaparte.
“Steven always made time for others, and we look forward to celebrating his legacy with all who loved and respected him.”
The 21st annual Gem Awards gala is scheduled for Friday, March 17, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
The annual event honors the outstanding achievements of individuals or companies whose work raises the visibility and status of fine jewelry and watches.
JA will be announcing the other Gem Award categories and nominees for 2023 in the coming weeks.
Sponsorships and tickets are on sale now. For more information, visit the Gem Awards website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
AuctionsApr 27, 2026
12 Years Later, the ‘Ocean Dream’ Diamond Resurfaces at Christie’sThe largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.
ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an AfterthoughtEmmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 YearsIn honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
MajorsApr 27, 2026
JBT Re-Elects Jeff Corey as Board ChairThe trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
