Events & Awards

GIA Names Winner of Emerging Jewelry Design Talent Award

Events & AwardsMar 17, 2025

GIA Names Winner of Emerging Jewelry Design Talent Award

Eleanor H. Yeh is the recipient of the eighth annual Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.

Eleanor H. Yeh GIA jewelry design
A sketch of Eleanor H. Yeh’s winning design for the 2024 Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design featuring detailed goldwork, pearls, and vibrant gems
Carlsbad, Calif.—The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation have announced the winner of the eighth annual Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.

Eleanor H. Yeh, a 2024 jewelry design graduate from GIA's London campus, received the award for her design, pictured above, featuring detailed goldwork, pearls, and gemstones. 

The honor recognizes the outstanding talent of GIA jewelry design students worldwide. It was collaboratively established in 2018 by GIA and the foundation.

Gianmaria Buccellati set up a foundation in his name in 2008 to honor the artistic and cultural legacy of his work and that of his father, Mario, who established the Italian jewelry brand.

GIA President and CEO Susan Jacques and Larry French, chief officer for North American strategies of the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation, announced Yeh as the recipient at the annual GIA Alumni Collective celebration in Tucson, Arizona, on Feb. 7.

Presenting the award, Susan Jacques said, “These beautiful hand renderings are a reminder of the tangible, personal, and physical connection that gems and jewelry spark in each of us. That is what makes this very special design competition such a delight!” 

Earlier that day, an independent panel of judges, including designers and educators, examined the hand-rendered designs from 14 finalists at the Alfie Norville Museum in Tucson.

“My design process is deeply rooted in craftsmanship and storytelling. The design draws from a striking floral motif found in the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence, Italy, that captures the grandeur and artistry of the Renaissance era,” said Yeh. 

“Winning the 2024 Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design is an incredible honor. I am deeply thankful to GIA and the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation for their recognition and continued support of design and craftsmanship in our industry."

French shared his congratulations for Yeh and the other finalists, whose work he said “enriched the competition.” He also recognized the GIA design instructors who guided the student participants.

“Our founder, Gianmaria Buccellati, believed that designing jewelry was an art and like all art needed to be studied and practiced in order to grow into a master designer,” said French. “The Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation is proud to partner with the Gemological Institute of America to encourage the growth of these young designers, and we hope that they will continue on this exciting career path."

The judges for this year’s competition were Alishan Halebian, award-winning jewelry designer and goldsmith of Alishan Jewelry; Charles Lewton-Brain, jewelry artist, goldsmith and co-founder of the Ganoksin Project; Nanz Aalund, award-winning jewelry designer, goldsmith and educator; Rémy Rotenier, fine jewelry designer and design teacher; and Victoria Gomelsky, editor-in-chief of JCK.

Submissions for the 2025 competition are open now to students in GIA’s Jewelry Design course who meet the eligibility requirements.  

The course is offered at GIA campus locations in Bangkok, Carlsbad, Hong Kong, London, and New York, and at locations in Mumbai, India, as well as Taipei, Taiwan, and Shanghai and Shenzhen, China. 

Through the course, students learn drafting, shading, design theory, and illustration using several mediums, and upon completion, they will have a hand-developed portfolio of their work and a digital copy. 

GIA also offers programs in Jewelry Design and Technology, Comprehensive Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) for Jewelry, and the Graduate Jeweler Program.  

 Related stories will be right here … 

The Latest

Stock image of shipping containers
Policies & IssuesMay 29, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs Invalid

Three federal judges ruled that Trump exceeded his authority in imposing sweeping tariffs, a ruling his administration already has appealed.

Britney Spears
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry Line

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Inoveo Platinum Grain image.jpg
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by Stuller

Sponsored by Stuller

Article Image 1.png
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.

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.

Grizzly Mining Pilala emerald
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat Emerald

It was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.

Weekly QuizMay 22, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
GemFind Logo
TechnologyMay 29, 2025
GemFind Launches AI Product Description Software

GemText AI uses artificial intelligence to generate tailored product titles, descriptions, and tags with jewelry-specific language.

Graff Fontainebleau Las Vegas
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Graff Unveils New Las Vegas Flagship

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

antique_Vegas_2024_by_headshot_stories_9454.jpg
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the Globe

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

Kim Kardashian
CrimeMay 28, 2025
8 Convicted in Kim Kardashian Jewelry Heist Trial

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

New York Liberty 2024 WNBA Championship Ring
CollectionsMay 28, 2025
NY Liberty’s 2024 Championship Rings Honor Historic Win

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

Jewelers Board of Trade logo
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Andrew Rickard Named JBT President

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

Logos for Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America and Jewelers of America
MajorsMay 27, 2025
MJSA to Become Part of Jewelers of America

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

Al Capone Pocket Watch
AuctionsMay 27, 2025
Al Capone’s Patek Philippe Pocket Watch Back Up for Auction

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

Kat Florence Lumina
AuctionsMay 27, 2025
182-Carat Paraíba-Type Tourmaline Sells for $487K

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

Mark Henry Gumdrop Bypass Ring
TrendsMay 27, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Candy-Colored Gemstones

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

Stock image of police cars with their lights on
CrimeMay 23, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in Burglaries

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

Bliss Lau Bright Ring
CollectionsMay 23, 2025
Piece of the Week: Bliss Lau’s ‘Bright’ Ring

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.

GIA pearl report
GradingMay 23, 2025
GIA Updates Pearl Classification System

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

GCALbySarine Diamond Journey Certificate_1872x1052.jpg
Supplier BulletinMay 22, 2025
How to Put Natural Diamonds Back in the Spotlight

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine

The late West Virginia jeweler David Ettinger
CrimeMay 22, 2025
NY Jeweler Sentenced in Shoving Death of Colleague at IJO Show

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

Watches of Switzerland store in Mall of America
FinancialsMay 22, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s Full-Year U.S. Sales Climb 14%

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

Jorge Adeler, Wendy Adeler, Valentina Adeler
IndependentsMay 22, 2025
Adeler Jewelers Celebrates 50 Years

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

MJSA 2025-2026 Buyer’s Guide
MajorsMay 22, 2025
MJSA Releases 2025-2026 Buyer’s Guide

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

Bulgari Invisible Violet Necklace and Rainbow Flow Necklace
CollectionsMay 21, 2025
Bulgari Highlights Its Colorful Past in Phenomenal ‘Polychroma’ Collection

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

Industry analyst Edahn Golan
ColumnistsMay 21, 2025
Edahn’s Take: Analyzing the 2025 ‘$100 Million Supersellers’ List

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

Beyoncé bolo tie necklace
MajorsMay 21, 2025
Beyoncé Dons Brilliant Earth Necklace During Cowboy Carter Tour

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

Gem Legacy logo
SourcingMay 21, 2025
Gem Legacy Expands Advisory Council

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

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy