Meet the 2023 Couture Design Award Winners
The jewelry trade show awarded brands and individuals across 14 categories.

Held Saturday at the Encore Theater, the annual event recognized brands and individuals across 14 categories.
Among the winners, French brands had a strong showing with companies including Marie Lichtenberg, Viltier, and Maison Alix Dumas taking home Couture’s signature black marble statues.
Consistent with past years, the Cindy Edelstein Award, given to a person who helps positively move the industry forward, was an emotional one.
The 2023 recipient, retailer John Green of fifth-generation jewelry store Lux Bond & Green, underscored the importance of community in the jewelry industry.
“There’s a lot of people here I don’t know but I promise you, I love all of you,” he said. “I love this industry; I’ve been very blessed.”
See the full array of winners and runners-up below.
The “Best in Gold” winner was French brand Viltier.
Cadar was the second-place finalist, and Isabelle Fa was the third-place finalist.
In the “Best in Colored Gems Above $40,000 Retail” category, the first-place winner was Aletto Brothers.
Tangarart, which showed at the Julls booth, was a second-place finalist and Couturemark was the third-place finalist.
The “Best in Colored Gems Under $40,000 Retail” winner was Kamyen.
Cicada was the second-place finalist and Sylva & Cie was the third-place finalist.
For “Best in Bridal,” Retrouvaí, showing at For Future Reference, won the top spot, marking its third consecutive Couture Design Award win.
Bea Bongiasca, a Muse exhibitor, was the second-place finalist and Phillips House was the third-place finalist.
In the “Best in Diamonds Below $40,000 Retail” category, Ondyn was the winner.
Eva Fehren was the second-place finalist and 64Facets was the third-place finalist.
For the “Best in Diamonds Above $40,000” award, Etho Maria was the first-place winner.
Busatti 1947 was the second-place finalist and Mattioli was the third-place finalist.
First-time exhibitor Maison Alix Dumas won the award for “Best in Haute Couture.”
Messika was the second-place finalist and Victor Velyan was the third-place finalist.
Continuing the French wave, Persée Paris won for “Best in Pearls.”
The category’s second-place finalist was Nomis. The third-place finalist was Amrapali London.
Sorellina took home the top honors in the “Best in Platinum” category.
The second-place finalist was Henrich & Denzel GmbH and the third-place finalist was TenThousandThings.
In the “Best in Below $10,000 Retail” category, NeverNoT was the winner.
Stephen Webster was the second-place finalist and Van, showing at Muse, was the third-place finalist.
In the “Best in Innovative” category, Marie Lichtenberg won for her “Magic 8 Ball” design, the result of a collaboration with Mattel.
Studio Renn was the second-place finalist and Peruffo was the third-place finalist.
The “Best in Debuting” winner was Peruffo.
Maison Alix Dumas was the second-place finalist and Alexandra Rosier was the third-place finalist.
TenThousandThings was the winner of the “Best in Editors’ Choice” award for its platinum and pearl necklace, pictured below.
The second-place finalist was Gismondi1754 and the third-place finalist was Peruffo.
Finally, in the “Best in People’s Choice” category, voted on by text during the awards ceremony, Peruffo won its second award of the night for the gold and lapis collar pictured above.
The second-place finalist was Vendorafa and the third-place finalist was David Oscarson.
The Latest

Gretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.

Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.

With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

Laughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.


The California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.

A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

The auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.

Zaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.

The British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.

The “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.

Nelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.

Cat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.

Arnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.

The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.

The stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.

Engagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Former Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.

The veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.

Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).

The labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.

“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.

This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.

The former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.

The employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.

























