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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
TechnologyMay 01, 2026
Gemist, Saban Onyx Partner on Retailer-Focused Customization OfferingTheir partnership combines Gemist’s customization technology with Saban Onyx’s U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities.
SurveysMay 01, 2026
Consumer Confidence Inches Up in April Despite Rising Gas PricesRespondents were concerned about the Middle East conflict and how it will impact their finances.
CollectionsMay 01, 2026
A ‘Hidden Garden’ Emerges in Tiffany & Co.’s 2026 Blue BookOur Piece of the Week, the “Butterfly” necklace, showcases a 7.02-carat oval diamond set between diamond, platinum, and 18-karat gold wings.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
ColumnistsApr 30, 2026
Peter Smith: A Sleazy Salesman and the Case for Regret Avoidance Smith uses a comment he overheard in the grocery store to remind retailers that their job is to inspire buying behavior, not just sell.
Weekly QuizApr 30, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 30, 2026
Claire’s New Summer Campaign Is a Sensory Wonderland for Gen Alpha“A Girl SMR at Claire’s” celebrates girlhood through the five senses with stacked jewelry, slime toys, scented accessories, and ASMR.
AuctionsApr 30, 2026
Vintage Cartier Watch Crashes Through Records, Selling for $2MBelieved to be one of three made in 1987, the Cartier London Crash was hot at the “Shapes of Cartier” sale at Sotheby’s Hong Kong.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CrimeApr 30, 2026
Masked Group Uses Hammers, Pepper Spray in Texas Jewelry Store RobberyOfficials are looking for a group that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers at an outlet mall in Round Rock, Texas, in broad daylight on April 21.
Supplier BulletinApr 30, 2026
OROAREZZO 2026: The B2B Event for Italian Excellence in Goldsmith, Jewelry and Silver ManufacturingSponsored by OROAREZZO International Jewelry Exhibition
TechnologyApr 29, 2026
The Thought Process Behind the Mother's Day Email Opt-OutSome retailers are taking a nuanced approach to marketing what can be a difficult holiday for many.
IndependentsApr 29, 2026
Dick Abbott to Retire From The EdgeThe Edge has announced its new CEO, as well as a new partnership with an investment firm focused on founder-led software businesses.
SourcingApr 29, 2026
De Beers’ Production Rises, Market Remains ‘Challenged’De Beers’ diamond production was up 17 percent in Q1, boosted by increased output at its mines in South Africa and Canada.
AuctionsApr 29, 2026
This'll Be the Day You Own John Wayne's RingA signet ring belonging to the Western film star of Hollywood’s Golden Age will be up for auction at Elmwood’s next month.
Policies & IssuesApr 28, 2026
Tariff Refunds: How to File, What to Expect Importers can submit claims now to receive money back for the IEEPA tariffs they’ve paid, with refunds expected to take up to 90 days.
IndependentsApr 28, 2026
This North Carolina Jeweler Is Passing the TorchThe owners of Gregory Jewelers in Morganton, North Carolina, are heading into retirement.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
Doug Hucker Retires From ICAThe colored gemstone industry leader is heading into retirement after four years as the association’s CEO.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
NDC Hires Tapestry Exec to Head Global Marketing Susie Dewey joins the Natural Diamond Council as its new chief marketing officer.
AuctionsApr 27, 2026
12 Years Later, the ‘Ocean Dream’ Diamond Resurfaces at Christie’sThe largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.
ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an AfterthoughtEmmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 YearsIn honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.
MajorsApr 27, 2026
JBT Re-Elects Jeff Corey as Board ChairThe trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
