Events & AwardsAug 19, 2024
Nominations Are Open for the 2025 Gem AwardsEvents & AwardsAug 05, 2024
Accessories Council Accepting Entries for Annual Design Awards
There are two categories for fine jewelry, as well as two for fashion/costume jewelry.
The Accessories Council is accepting entries now through Aug. 30 for its sixth annual Design Excellence Awards. Members of the council’s board of directors choose the finalists, and the public votes on the winners. Finalists will be announced Sept. 10, and the winners will be revealed at a breakfast on Nov. 4.
New York—Designers still have time to enter pieces for consideration in the Accessories Council’s annual Design Excellence Awards.
The awards launched in 2019 to recognize the best in design across a wide variety of accessories, including handbags, sunglasses, eyeglasses, shoes, and jewelry.
There are four categories for jewelry: fine jewelry under $1,000 (suggested retail price); fine jewelry over $1,000 (SRP); fashion jewelry under $100 (SRP); and fashion jewelry over $100 (SRP).
Last year’s winner in the fine jewelry category was Lagos for its 18-karat gold and diamond “Caviar” Apple Watch bracelet, and, in fashion jewelry, Brosway Italia’s “Chakra Mystic” bracelet and the ombre blue “Rock Stars” chandelier earrings from Nadri.
Related stories will be right here …
The awards launched in 2019 to recognize the best in design across a wide variety of accessories, including handbags, sunglasses, eyeglasses, shoes, and jewelry.
There are four categories for jewelry: fine jewelry under $1,000 (suggested retail price); fine jewelry over $1,000 (SRP); fashion jewelry under $100 (SRP); and fashion jewelry over $100 (SRP).
Last year’s winner in the fine jewelry category was Lagos for its 18-karat gold and diamond “Caviar” Apple Watch bracelet, and, in fashion jewelry, Brosway Italia’s “Chakra Mystic” bracelet and the ombre blue “Rock Stars” chandelier earrings from Nadri.
Members of the public vote on the winners from finalist pools selected by the Accessories Council’s board of directors. The council said it had more than 10,000 votes for products last year.
The board chooses the finalists based on excellence in design, unique appearance and/or function, consumer needs addressed by product, appropriate aesthetics, innovative materials or technology, market positioning and competitive performance, social images, emotional appeal, and sustainability.
Entries are being accepted now through Aug. 30.
Finalists will be announced in partnership with Fashionphile on the evening of Sept. 10 at Fashionphile’s flagship store on West 26th Street in New York.
The winners will be revealed at the Design Excellence Awards breakfast, scheduled for Nov. 4 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at The Fifth Avenue Hotel, 1 W. 28th St.
For more information, visit the 2024 Design Excellence Awards website.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
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.
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past DecadeAs a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.
