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 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.
The Latest

The 3,300-square foot location is the jeweler's largest store in North America.

Aging and with myriad health issues, none will serve time for their roles in robbing the billionaire celebrity at gunpoint in 2016.

The WNBA team received rings imbued with meaning, from leaf motifs and its Liberty torch to the number of diamonds used.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

A longtime executive at RDI Diamonds, Rickard has served on the JBT board for the past five years.


The two organizations have signed an affiliation agreement that’s expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

The platinum and diamond watch is part of Sotheby’s upcoming Important Watches sale.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Recovered in Mozambique, “The Kat Florence Lumina” was part of Bonhams’ Hong Kong jewelry auction held last week.

Get a taste of the delicious candy-like gemstones in this Amanda’s Style File.

JSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.

From Lau’s “Love of a Kind” series, the engagement ring was inspired by the moon and holds a different meaning depending on how it is worn.

The lab has adjusted the scale it uses for nacre grading.

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine

David Walton will serve three years’ probation after an incident in a hotel bar led to the death of West Virginia jeweler David Ettinger.

The retailer also provided an update on how the tariffs situation in the U.S. is affecting its business.

The family-owned jeweler in Great Falls, Virginia, will be celebrating its golden jubilee with a year’s worth of events.

This year’s edition includes articles on the favorite tools of notable designers, evaluating when to outsource production, and more.

The jeweler’s high jewelry collection features extraordinary gemstones, like a 241.06-carat emerald and the world’s fourth-largest spinel.

In a special column for the State of the Majors, Edahn Golan breaks down what the top-performing fine jewelry sellers are doing right.

The bolo tie necklace is inspired by “Queen Bey” and set with a nearly 15-carat black diamond.

The nonprofit focused on mining communities in East Africa has added three new members to its advisory council.

Current Diamond Council of America President and CEO Terry Chandler is set to retire in January 2026.

The company's Series A shares will continue to trade following a reverse stock split while its Series B shares will be delisted.

Communicating clearly with your staff is key to navigating turbulent times, writes columnist Peter Smith.

The “Inner Journey” collection debuted as the brand celebrated its 25th anniversary, with designs inspired by Morais’ journey.

Tanishq is expanding its presence in the United States with a new store in Santa Clara, California, which is its largest in the country.