BIJC Announces 2024 ‘Rock the Jewels’ Awards Winners
At the annual event, in its second year, the organization honored those making remarkable contributions to the jewelry industry.

The annual event, in its second year, honors individuals and organizations making remarkable contributions to the jewelry industry, while raising funds for the organization’s mission to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Proceeds from the event directly fund programs like BIJC’s flagship program, the Future Jewelers Academy, designed to provide a pathway for the next generation of industry leaders by introducing high school students to jewelry design and bench jewelry.
Here are the “Rock the Jewels” Awards winners.
Gwen Beloti, founder of Gwen Beloti Jewelry, received the “Rising Star” Award celebrating up-and-coming jewelry designers.
Beloti was chosen for her innovative, size-inclusive gold jewelry designs that celebrate individuality and empower women to shine.
Ben Bridge Jewelers was honored with the “Shining Together” Award for the company’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Ben Bridge Jewelers has fostered meaningful change in the industry through initiatives like the Lonia Tate Scholarship, which supports minority high school graduates who aspire to work in the fine jewelry industry.
Anna Samsonova, founder of Samsonova Consulting, received the “Behind the Shine” Award.
Samsonova was awarded for her behind-the-scenes dedication to advancing BIJC’s initiatives and for supporting the organization’s events and education efforts.
The “Rock the Jewels” Award was given to Eddie Plein for his contributions to the jewelry industry.
Plein is a trailblazing pioneer in the custom grills space, celebrated for his work to redefine how jewelry interacts with culture and art, especially within the hip-hop community.
His work has left an indelible mark on both the industry and culture, said BIJC.
“This year’s ‘Rock the Jewels’ Awards not only celebrated excellence in the jewelry industry but also underscored the importance of creating lasting impact through education and inclusion,” said Malyia McNaughton, chairwoman of BIJC and founder of Made By Malyia.
“The winners and nominees are shining examples of creativity, resilience, and a commitment to diversity. Programs like the Future Jewelers Academy allow us to invest in the next generation and ensure that the jewelry industry remains vibrant, innovative, and representative of all communities.”
Along with the awards ceremony, the Rock the Jewels event also included jewelry exhibits featuring pieces crafted by students in the Future Jewelers Academy.
The program was created in collaboration with the Brooklyn STEAM Center with support from Jewelers Mutual to give high school students hands-on experience in jewelry design, gem-setting, casting, and bench jewelry.
It began in 2023 and has since expanded to Baldwin High School in Long Island with support from the Natural Diamond Council.
The event highlighted the importance of creating opportunities and breaking barriers in the jewelry industry, with this program celebrated as a prime example of BICJ’s mission.
For more information on BIJC, its “Rock the Jewels” Awards, and how to support initiatives like the Future Jewelers Academy, visit the BIJC website.
The Latest

Making its auction debut, "The Glowing Rose" is expected to fetch $20 million at the November jewelry sale in Geneva.

They were attacked on Oct. 15, as approximately 40 miners without licenses marched on the mine’s gate.

It took the masked thieves less than 10 minutes to steal eight irreplaceable jewels from two display cases in the museum’s Apollo Gallery.

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

Gemologist Lauren Gayda has previously worked at The Clear Cut, Taylor & Hart, and Effy Jewelry.


In 2026, the jewelry retailer will celebrate a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.

Take a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.

The upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.

Jeffrey Zimmer's decades of leadership at Reeds Jewelers are defined by integrity, a love of sourcing gemstones, and a heart for community.

The new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.

The holiday catalog for 2025 features never-before-seen images of more than 100 one-of-a-kind masterpieces.

The brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.

Corey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.

Charles Robinson Shay was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years while his accomplice, Michael James McCormack, got 75 years.

Timepieces at Luxury will take place at The Venetian and, like Luxury, will be invitation-only for the first two days.

The auction house named a new global head of jewelry, as well as a new head of the jewelry department for the Americas.

As chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.

Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.

The parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.

The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.

The trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.

Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.

Jewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.

The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.

“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.

The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.

The line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.