Events & AwardsMar 10, 2025
These Designers, Journalists, and Retailers Are Up for a Gem Award Events & AwardsNov 05, 2024
Tiffany & Co., CDFA Announce Design Award Finalists
Ten chosen designers will receive mentorship and participate in a design contest for the Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award.
The ten finalists, pictured above, will compete for the inaugural Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award, which includes $50,000 and a one-year paid fellowship on the Tiffany & Co. design team. (Photo courtesy of CFDA website)
New York—Tiffany & Co. and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) have announced the 10 finalists of the Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award.
The award, announced this summer, is the first of its kind from the collaborators.
It was designed, they said, to recognize outstanding American jewelry designers who are committed to driving inclusivity within the design industry. Applications were accepted through August.
The finalists are Symoné Currie (Metal x Wire), Ian Delucca, Marvin Douglas Linares, Angie Marei (Marei New York), Malyia McNaughton (Made by Malyia); Jameel Mohammed (Khiry), David Perry, Maggi Simpkins, Hi Vu, and Pamela Zamore.
Several of the designers have participated in other inclusivity-focused programs over the last few years.
McNaughton, who is the current president of the Black in Jewelry Coalition, as well as Linares and Mohammed were selected for the inaugural Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative (EDDI) in 2021.
The program was created by Lorraine Schwartz and the Natural Diamond Council to create equity for minority jewelry designers.
Currie was selected for EDDI’s Class of 2023.
Simpkins was one of 13 BIPOC individuals who were selected for the Couture show’s Diversity Action Council’s inaugural mentorship program in 2022. The group debuted a capsule collection under the collective name The Radiance by Couture at the summer trade show.
She was also featured in Sotheby's Black and Brilliant exhibition.
Related stories will be right here …
The award, announced this summer, is the first of its kind from the collaborators.
It was designed, they said, to recognize outstanding American jewelry designers who are committed to driving inclusivity within the design industry. Applications were accepted through August.
The finalists are Symoné Currie (Metal x Wire), Ian Delucca, Marvin Douglas Linares, Angie Marei (Marei New York), Malyia McNaughton (Made by Malyia); Jameel Mohammed (Khiry), David Perry, Maggi Simpkins, Hi Vu, and Pamela Zamore.
Several of the designers have participated in other inclusivity-focused programs over the last few years.
McNaughton, who is the current president of the Black in Jewelry Coalition, as well as Linares and Mohammed were selected for the inaugural Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative (EDDI) in 2021.
The program was created by Lorraine Schwartz and the Natural Diamond Council to create equity for minority jewelry designers.
Currie was selected for EDDI’s Class of 2023.
Simpkins was one of 13 BIPOC individuals who were selected for the Couture show’s Diversity Action Council’s inaugural mentorship program in 2022. The group debuted a capsule collection under the collective name The Radiance by Couture at the summer trade show.
She was also featured in Sotheby's Black and Brilliant exhibition.
Designers were 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 other skills, CFDA said previously.
They first gathered as a group in New York City in early October for the program’s kick off.
The three-day orientation included breakfasts, lecture series, and tours of Tiffany Landmark and the company’s jewelry design and innovation workshop.
They were also briefed on the design challenge—to create a five-piece capsule collection that pays tribute to Tiffany’s heritage while reflecting contemporary design principles.
Between now and the final showcase in January 2025, the participants will work on their designs while also receiving feedback during monthly mentoring meetings with the Tiffany & Co. design team, which will take place in a hybrid format.
According to the CFDA website, the program 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.
At the showcase, the designs will be evaluated by a selection committee that includes Tiffany & Co.’s Chief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille, as well as notable names such as actress Gabrielle Union, Sotheby’s Vice Chairman for Jewelry Frank Everett, and designer Jason Wu.
Tiffany & Co. and the CFDA announce the winner of the Jewelry Designer Award in January.
The winner will receive $50,000 and a one-year paid fellowship on the Tiffany & Co. design team beginning in February 2025.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
