Events & AwardsFeb 28, 2023
Zillion Announces 2023 Women in STEM Scholarship WinnerEvents & AwardsMar 02, 2023
GIA Announces Jewelry Design Competition Winner
The institute granted the sixth annual Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award last month.
Pictured is Sara Guergova’s design that nabbed her the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for 2022. The award goes to a GIA jewelry design student annually.
Carlsbad, Calif.—The Gemological Institute of America has granted the annual Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award.
GIA and the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation first partnered in 2018 to highlight the talent among GIA’s jewelry design students across its global campuses.
Now in its sixth year, the 2022 honor went to a student from the GIA London school for the first time, Sara Guergova.
“On behalf of the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation, we want to congratulate Ms. Sara Guergova, this year's winner, plus all the other finalists whose work so enriched this year's competition,” said Larry French, chief officer of North America strategies at the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation.
“We also want to recognize the talented GIA design instructors who helped guide the students on their way to the final judging in Tucson. Our founder, Gianmaria Buccellati, believed that designing jewelry was an art and, like all art, needed to be studied and practiced in order to grow into a master designer. The Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation is proud to partner with the Gemological Institute of America to encourage the growth of these young designers and we hope they will continue on this exciting career path.”
The judging panel consisted of award-winning designer and goldsmith Alishan Halebian of Alishan Jewelry Studio located in Southern California; retailer Cathy Calhoun of Calhoun Jewelers in Royersford, Pennsylvania and Carmel, California; jewelry designer and rendering and design teacher Remy Rotenier; Shelly Sergent, the collections manager of the Somewhere In the Rainbow Gemstone and Jewelry Collection; and Victoria Gomelsky, the editor-in-chief at JCK.
Winner Guergova said of the honor presented at a GIA event in Tucson, “The evening was incredibly inspirational, but then also to go on and receive the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award; it was truly an unforgettable experience for me. In a way, it validates the hard work throughout the years and diminishes any previous self-doubt in what I can achieve,
“Attending GIA was a transformative moment in my life, I learned so much …going forward, the techniques and technical skills I gained, will propel me even further.”
The competition for the 2023 award winner is already underway, GIA said. Open to GIA jewelry design students, eligibility requirements and more information are available online.
Related stories will be right here …
GIA and the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation first partnered in 2018 to highlight the talent among GIA’s jewelry design students across its global campuses.
Now in its sixth year, the 2022 honor went to a student from the GIA London school for the first time, Sara Guergova.
“On behalf of the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation, we want to congratulate Ms. Sara Guergova, this year's winner, plus all the other finalists whose work so enriched this year's competition,” said Larry French, chief officer of North America strategies at the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation.
“We also want to recognize the talented GIA design instructors who helped guide the students on their way to the final judging in Tucson. Our founder, Gianmaria Buccellati, believed that designing jewelry was an art and, like all art, needed to be studied and practiced in order to grow into a master designer. The Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation is proud to partner with the Gemological Institute of America to encourage the growth of these young designers and we hope they will continue on this exciting career path.”
The judging panel consisted of award-winning designer and goldsmith Alishan Halebian of Alishan Jewelry Studio located in Southern California; retailer Cathy Calhoun of Calhoun Jewelers in Royersford, Pennsylvania and Carmel, California; jewelry designer and rendering and design teacher Remy Rotenier; Shelly Sergent, the collections manager of the Somewhere In the Rainbow Gemstone and Jewelry Collection; and Victoria Gomelsky, the editor-in-chief at JCK.
Winner Guergova said of the honor presented at a GIA event in Tucson, “The evening was incredibly inspirational, but then also to go on and receive the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award; it was truly an unforgettable experience for me. In a way, it validates the hard work throughout the years and diminishes any previous self-doubt in what I can achieve,
“Attending GIA was a transformative moment in my life, I learned so much …going forward, the techniques and technical skills I gained, will propel me even further.”
The competition for the 2023 award winner is already underway, GIA said. Open to GIA jewelry design students, eligibility requirements and more information are available online.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
ColumnistsSep 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
AuctionsSep 14, 2026
22 Carats of ‘Sunshine’ Are Up for AuctionThe 22.09-carat fancy yellow “Pragnell Kimberley Sunshine Diamond” is part of the fall jewelry sale at Heritage Auctions.
IndependentsSep 14, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers to Unveil Photography Exhibition“Adornos: Jewelry, Memory & What We Pass Down” honors the jewelry’s importance to New York City’s Latine communities.
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.
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Gemfields Sells All Lots at First Emerald Auction in 9 MonthsThe company’s managing director of sales said the results demonstrate “continued strong demand for commercial-quality emeralds.”
Weekly QuizSep 10, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Pledges Support for Eye Care ProgramThe nonprofit awarded a grant to the Gift of Sight initiative spearheaded by South African musician Black Coffee.
CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
CrimeSep 10, 2026
FBI Offers $50K Reward for ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive in $1M Jewelry HeistAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Massive Matched Pair of Paraíba Tourmalines Head to Sotheby’sThe “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.
SourcingSep 10, 2026
AGTA Announces 4 Newly Elected DirectorsFour directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Former Sotheby’s, Christie’s Exec Appointed CEO of Julien’s Auctions Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
MajorsSep 09, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Catalog Includes Its New Demi-Fine CollectionFine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
