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
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe jewelry and accessories retailer said its stores will remain open during the proceedings.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
Weekly QuizJul 31, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of CoverageLilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.
TrendsAug 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: August’s Bright BaublesAs summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.
CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in QueensMoshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.
MajorsAug 04, 2025
Borsheims Welcomes New Assistant Facilities ManagerXavier Dibbrell brings more than a decade of experience to the role.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award WinnersJewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
IndependentsJul 31, 2025
Matthew Tratner Takes Over as CBG President Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
FinancialsJul 30, 2025
Kering's Jewelry Brands Resilient As H1 Sales Slide 16%The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.
WatchesJul 30, 2025
Peek Inside Zadok Jewelers’ New Rolex Showroom in AustinIts opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.
SurveysJul 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JulyRespondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
SourcingJul 30, 2025
Rob Bates to Release Latest Book in His ‘Diamond District Mystery’ Series“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.
EditorsJul 29, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s Design Studio in LASenior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2025
Melee The Show Welcomes 15 New DesignersThe first-time exhibitors, set to debut at the New York City show, share a devotion to craftsmanship, storytelling, and material integrity.
