Events & AwardsDec 27, 2024
18 Designers Graduate from WJA’s Jewelry Loupe ProjectEvents & AwardsJan 15, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Open for Submissions
The awards honor the late Jose Hess, a founding member of AJDC and an award-winning jewelry designer.
Participants must submit design sketches or CAD renderings of pieces inspired by the 2025 theme, “Radiance,” by Feb. 28.
New York—The Jose Hess Design Awards have announced that submissions are open for its 2025 competition.
The awards, which are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, were established in 2022 to honor the legacy of Jose Hess, an award-winning jewelry designer and GIA graduate, who died in February 2021.
Hess had an influential career that spanned more than five decades, including becoming the first American president of the World Jewellery Confederation and being a founding member of the American Jewelry Design Council.
Hess’ legacy continues through this competition which aims to discover and support talent in the fine jewelry industry, said the organization.
“We seek to inspire the next generation of jewelry designers to push creative boundaries while honoring the timeless principles of exceptional craftsmanship,” said Magdalena (Maggie) Hess, Jose’s wife.
“Our vision is for the winners of the Jose Hess Design Awards to have a lasting, positive impact on the fine jewelry industry. Their creativity and passion will help shape a brighter, more innovative future for jewelry design.”
The theme of this year’s competition is “Radiance,” as it celebrates enduring beauty and invites designers to create jewelry that captures the essence of lasting elegance and brilliance, said the organization.
Applicants are encouraged to craft new designs that not only sparkle physically but also illuminate lives to become cherished heirlooms for future generations.
Designs submitted to the contest must be original, created specifically for the Jose Hess Design Awards competition, and relate to the “Radiance” theme.
They should fall into the fine jewelry category exclusively, using only 18-karat gold or platinum, and only natural diamonds or natural precious stones.
The competition emphasizes quality workmanship, finishing, and craft, with designs demonstrating consumer wearability and technical proficiency required for its applicants.
Related stories will be right here …
The awards, which are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, were established in 2022 to honor the legacy of Jose Hess, an award-winning jewelry designer and GIA graduate, who died in February 2021.
Hess had an influential career that spanned more than five decades, including becoming the first American president of the World Jewellery Confederation and being a founding member of the American Jewelry Design Council.
Hess’ legacy continues through this competition which aims to discover and support talent in the fine jewelry industry, said the organization.
“We seek to inspire the next generation of jewelry designers to push creative boundaries while honoring the timeless principles of exceptional craftsmanship,” said Magdalena (Maggie) Hess, Jose’s wife.
“Our vision is for the winners of the Jose Hess Design Awards to have a lasting, positive impact on the fine jewelry industry. Their creativity and passion will help shape a brighter, more innovative future for jewelry design.”
The theme of this year’s competition is “Radiance,” as it celebrates enduring beauty and invites designers to create jewelry that captures the essence of lasting elegance and brilliance, said the organization.
Applicants are encouraged to craft new designs that not only sparkle physically but also illuminate lives to become cherished heirlooms for future generations.
Designs submitted to the contest must be original, created specifically for the Jose Hess Design Awards competition, and relate to the “Radiance” theme.
They should fall into the fine jewelry category exclusively, using only 18-karat gold or platinum, and only natural diamonds or natural precious stones.
The competition emphasizes quality workmanship, finishing, and craft, with designs demonstrating consumer wearability and technical proficiency required for its applicants.
Three winners will be selected through a judging process where they will be evaluated and scored through a rubric-based method.
The judges, slated to be announced in April, will be made up of jewelry retailers and award-winning designers.
The winners will receive trophies and opportunities to advance their exposure in the industry.
The winners and finalists will be recognized through an awards reception at the JCK show where industry leaders, influential retailers, and media will gather to celebrate their design achievement.
Interested participants must submit design sketches or CAD renderings of their piece(s) by Feb. 28.
Finalists will be notified in early April and will be required to provide photos and videos of their finished piece(s) by May 1 for final judging.
In order to participate in the competition, applicants must be an exhibitor at the 2025 JCK and/or Luxury shows in Las Vegas.
For more information and to submit designs to the Jose Hess Design Awards, visit its website.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
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.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
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.
SourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing WorkersOwners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.
Weekly QuizFeb 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsFeb 27, 2026
Jewelers Mutual to Donate $10M to Savannah College of Art and DesignA 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.
CollectionsFeb 27, 2026
Renato Cipullo Turns Gold into HardstonesThe “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”
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.
AuctionsFeb 26, 2026
Noonans to Auction Lady Wardington’s JewelryThe jewelry collection belonged to “one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century,” said the auction house.
SourcingFeb 26, 2026
Anglo American CEO Gives Insight Into De Beers SaleThe update came as Anglo took its third write-down on the diamond miner and marketer, which lost more than $500 million in 2025.
ColumnistsFeb 26, 2026
Practical Ways Jewelers Can Leverage AI in 2026Emmanuel Raheb discusses the rise of “GEO” and the importance of having well-written, quality content on your website.
CrimeFeb 26, 2026
Three Sentenced in California Jewelry HeistEach received around four years for burglarizing a jewelry store and a coffee shop in Simi Valley, California, last May.
Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2026
GIA Names 2026 Jewelry Design Contest Winner, Retires Annual AwardCatherine Aulick, a GIA graduate, received the ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
TrendsFeb 25, 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.
SourcingFeb 25, 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.
EditorsFeb 25, 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.”
PodcastsFeb 25, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
WatchesFeb 25, 2026
Private Equity Firms Write Down Value of Breitling, Report SaysThe Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2026
Rahaminov Diamonds’ New Campaign Honors Its MatriarchThe campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.
IndependentsFeb 25, 2026
Borsheims Names 2025 ‘Ike-It’ Award WinnerRachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.
Policies & IssuesFeb 24, 2026
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, New 10% Tariff Already ImposedAfter the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Sherry Smith Now Principal Partner at The Retail SmithsThe industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Yafa Signed Jewels to Open Store in MiamiThe vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.
WatchesFeb 24, 2026
Chrono24 Names New VP, U.S. General ManagerFormer Flight Club executive Jin Lee will bring his experience from the sneaker world to the pre-owned watch marketplace.
SourcingFeb 23, 2026
Designer Eddie Sakamoto, a Humble Artist, Dies at 72Sakamoto, who died in mid-January following a sudden illness, is remembered for his humility and his masterful, architectural designs.
Events & AwardsFeb 23, 2026
NYCJAOS Announces Four-Day Spring ShowThe April event will feature a new VIP shopping day requiring a special ticket.
TrendsFeb 23, 2026
Dua Lipa Is Bulgari’s New AmbassadorBulgari chose the British-Albanian singer-songwriter for her powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture, the jeweler said.
