Events & AwardsAug 19, 2024
Nominations Are Open for the 2025 Gem AwardsEvents & AwardsJul 30, 2024
Tiffany & Co., CFDA Announce New Jewelry Designer Award
One designer will win $50,000 and a fellowship with the jewelry company.
Beginning this October, selected applicants will participate in a multi-week mentorship program with Tiffany & Co.’s design team, a program that will culminate in a jewelry design challenge. The winner of the challenge will receive the inaugural “Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award.”
New York—Tiffany & Co. and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) have partnered to establish the Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award.
Starting in October, selected applicants will take part in a multi-week mentorship and immersive learning experience at Tiffany & Co.
According to the CFDA website, the program will be hybrid.
It will take place in person in New York City from Oct. 8-10, virtually the weeks of Oct. 21, Nov. 11, and Dec. 2, and in person again on Jan. 14 and 15.
During the program, participants will be briefed on the design challenge, which will be led by Tiffany & Co.’s design team.
A selection committee will then evaluate the design challenge results and choose the winner of the first Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award.
They will receive $50,000 and a yearlong paid fellowship with Tiffany & Co.’s design department, beginning February 2025.
The 2024 selection committee is comprised of:
Alexandre Arnault, executive vice president of product, communications, and industrial at Tiffany & Co;
Bethann Hardison, board member and activist at CFDA;
Frank Everett, vice chairman of jewelry at Sotheby’s;
Gabrielle Union, an actress;
Jahleel Weaver, a creative director and stylist;
Jason Wu, founder and chief creative officer of Jason Wu Studio, and a CFDA member;
Joan Smalls, a supermodel and actress;
Nathalie Verdeille, chief artistic officer of jewelry and high jewelry at Tiffany & Co.;
and Rajni Jacques, global head of fashion and beauty at Snap Inc.
Related stories will be right here …
Starting in October, selected applicants will take part in a multi-week mentorship and immersive learning experience at Tiffany & Co.
According to the CFDA website, the program will be hybrid.
It will take place in person in New York City from Oct. 8-10, virtually the weeks of Oct. 21, Nov. 11, and Dec. 2, and in person again on Jan. 14 and 15.
During the program, participants will be briefed on the design challenge, which will be led by Tiffany & Co.’s design team.
A selection committee will then evaluate the design challenge results and choose the winner of the first Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award.
They will receive $50,000 and a yearlong paid fellowship with Tiffany & Co.’s design department, beginning February 2025.
The 2024 selection committee is comprised of:
Alexandre Arnault, executive vice president of product, communications, and industrial at Tiffany & Co;
Bethann Hardison, board member and activist at CFDA;
Frank Everett, vice chairman of jewelry at Sotheby’s;
Gabrielle Union, an actress;
Jahleel Weaver, a creative director and stylist;
Jason Wu, founder and chief creative officer of Jason Wu Studio, and a CFDA member;
Joan Smalls, a supermodel and actress;
Nathalie Verdeille, chief artistic officer of jewelry and high jewelry at Tiffany & Co.;
and Rajni Jacques, global head of fashion and beauty at Snap Inc.
The award was created to recognize jewelry designers who are committed to driving inclusivity within the design industry, said the organizations, elevating jewelry design as its own category akin to womenswear.
“This first-ever award with a sole focus on jewelry is a testament to CFDA’s longstanding commitment and mission to celebrate American creative excellence,” said Steven Kolb, CEO of CFDA.
“Through the CFDA Impact program, we are thrilled to partner with Tiffany & Co., a cornerstone house with an iconic heritage, and Tiffany Atrium to identify and cultivate an inclusive next generation of American jewelry designers.”
This award was developed by the council’s CFDA Impact program and Tiffany Atrium, the jewelry company’s social impact program.
Respectively, these branches of Tiffany & Co. and CFDA work to create more access and opportunity in the jewelry space, and equitable and sustainable change in representation of diverse creatives.
“The inaugural Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award uplifts Tiffany Atrium’s commitment to fostering lasting change across the jewelry and design industries,” said Arnault, of Tiffany & Co.
“With a rich history of supporting inclusivity and creative excellence, Tiffany & Co. continues to be a champion for creative expression and social impact.”
The application process for the 2024 program opened Monday, July 29, and closes Aug. 16.
Applicants will be chosen based on years of proven design experience, concept sketching, experience with digital and hand rendering, 3D CAD design and printing, ability to design concepts and collections through couture designs and gifts, and other skills, said CFDA.
The program’s participants will be announced this fall, with the award recipient announced in early 2025.
For more information on the Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award and to apply to the program, visit CFDA’s website.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
Weekly QuizJan 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Swarovski Appoints New North America PresidentRetail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Stuller Names New Chief Merchandising, Marketing, Sales OfficerTaylor Burgess, who has been at Stuller since 2013, was promoted to the newly created role.
PodcastsJan 21, 2026
Episode 1: High Gold Prices, the Diamond Dilemma, & What’s NextWas 2025 a good year for jewelers? Did lab-grown diamonds outsell natural? Find out on the first episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
EditorsJan 21, 2026
6 Jewelry Designers Poised to Have a Breakout Year in 2026Whether you recognize their jewels or are just discovering them now, these designers’ talent and vision make them ones to watch this year.
CrimeJan 21, 2026
4 Men Charged in $1.7M California Smash-and-Grab Jewelry Store RobberyPlus, JSA’s Scott Guginsky discusses the need for jewelers to take more precautions as the gold price continues to climb.
IndependentsJan 21, 2026
Delaware Jeweler Felice Morris Dies at 91Morris’ most cherished role was being a mother and grandmother, her family said.
CollectionsJan 21, 2026
Bulgari Weaves New Collection of ‘Vimini’ Creations“Vimini” is the first chapter of the “Bulgari Eternal” collection that merges archival pieces with modern creations.
ColumnistsJan 20, 2026
First-Party Data Is the Most Valuable Asset Jewelers Have in 2026Data built on trust, not tracking, will be key to success going forward, as the era of “borrowed attention” ends, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsJan 20, 2026
Borsheims Hires New Assistant Facilities ManagerHeath Yarges brings two decades of experience to the role.
