Pieces of the Week: Gem Award for Jewelry Design Nominees
They are Marla Aaron, Marie Lichtenberg, and Jean Prounis.

It’s a difficult task that, in many cases, comes down to personal preference. Which work moves you the most?
It is a question each of the Gem Awards judges had to answer this year when looking at the three outstanding nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design: Marla Aaron, Marie Lichtenberg, and Jean Prounis.
They all bring their individual histories, personalities, and viewpoints to their work and craft jewelry that is distinctly theirs and theirs alone.
Ahead of the 22nd annual Gem Awards tonight, we present multiple “Pieces of the Week” featuring designs from each the three Jewelry Design nominees, in no particular order.
Jean Prounis
Prounis produces jewels that are timeless, tiny works of art that pay homage to ancient forms and objects. Each piece is meticulously crafted; each gemstone carefully chosen.
These earrings are a perfect example.
Named after an elongated jar used in Ancient Greece, the “Amphora” earrings feature golden citrine, nasturtium seed-shaped Roman glass beads, and fawn-colored jasper.

“This pair is a culmination of attending the Tucson gem shows over several years,” Prounis said. “I’m quite proud of them.”
Those attending the Gem Awards will get the opportunity to see these earrings, as the designer said she plans to wear them to the party.
Marla Aaron
Aaron got her start when she transformed a carabiner meant for climbing into her signature lock, but she didn’t stop there.
Twelve years, countless innovations, and one vending machine later, Aaron is still creating, as is evidenced by the “Rolling Spheres” collection.
The project started with the search for an individual or company with the ability to cut diamonds as full, faceted spheres.
Later, Aaron added other gemstones, like the Greenland rubies pictured above, and balls of gold in different colors to Rolling Spheres, with the goal of being able to offer a variety of price points.
The mechanism is a ball-bearing structure in which the balls are able to rotate 360 degrees freely. They are held in place, but not set. The mechanism is patent pending.
Marie Lichtenberg
How do you take antique and vintage items, be they forçat chains or the all-knowing Magic 8 Ball, and make them seem fresh and appealing to a new generation?
Lichtenberg, a former fashion editor for Elle, approaches the challenge with the perfect blend of sentimentality, humor, and artistic vision.
Lichtenberg’s “Love You to the Moon” scapular is enough to make this editor wish she wasn’t single while her “Dick in a Box” ring makes people laugh while sending a message of female empowerment.

Her “Love Is Blind” box locket is in the same vein, as it combines a hopeful, sentimental (if not a bit saccharine) message with a cheeky little surprise.
The locket is 18-karat yellow gold with 0.89 carats of diamonds, 0.39 carats of rubies, and enamel on a silk cord.
The Latest

A decision likely won’t come until January 2026 at the earliest, and the tariffs remain in effect until then.

Located in the revamped jewelry hall at the retailer’s New York City flagship, this opening is Tabayer’s first shop-in-shop.

The new, free app offers accessible educational content, like games and podcasts, for U.S. retailers.

With their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.

As the gold price rises, the manufacturer is offering a 100 percent payout through Sept. 30 for gold clean scrap.


Jacob & Co. partnered with the German technology company on two pairs of headphones, one set with diamonds and the other with sapphires.

Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 “Frankenstein” will feature 27 jewels and objects from the storied brand, including pieces from its archives.

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

The Waldorf Astoria New York’s grand reopening this past summer means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event.

Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.

The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.

The industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.

The nonprofit awarded four students pursuing a professional career in jewelry making and design with $2,250 each.

The Texas-based jeweler has also undergone a brand refresh, debuting a new website and logo.

The two organizations have finalized and signed the affiliation agreement announced in May.

The single-owner sale will headline Sotheby's inaugural jewelry auction at the Breuer building, its new global headquarters, this December.

From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.

Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.

Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.

The Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.

Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.

NYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.

U.S.-based investment company SMG Capital LLC is the new owner of the luxury brand.

A new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.

The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”