Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025Events & AwardsMay 22, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Announce Judges
The nonprofit elected five judges who will decide the winners of its design competition.
The winning designers of the Jose Hess Design Awards will be announced and celebrated at the JCK Show in Las Vegas on Saturday, June 7.
New York—The Jose Hess Design Awards have announced the judges of this year’s 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.
The theme of the 2025 awards is “Radiance,” celebrating timeless beauty in fine jewelry works that reflect enduring brilliance, emotion, and artistry.
The judging panel consists of five people who bring a rich mix of heritage, innovation, and influence from across the jewelry industry, said the organization.
The 2025 Jose Hess Design Awards Judges are as follows:
Susan Helmich, Susan Helmich Design, has been a celebrated goldsmith and jewelry designer for more than 50 years. Her creations embody a passion for the earth’s natural beauty, ancient, art, and exceptional craftsmanship, said the organization.
Helmich’s work has been featured in the Smithsonian and honored by AGTA, WJA, and MJSA.
Tracey Ellison, The Diamond Girl, is a social media and fine jewelry influencer with millions of followers on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. She has a front-row view of the innovation in today’s market and is known for her sharp eye and deep love for fine jewelry, said organizers.
Veronica Guarino, Louis Anthony Jewelers, is a leader in jewelry marketing and retail strategy. She has guided the family-owned retailer since it was co-founded by her and Louis A. Guarino Jr. in 1990.
Her dedication to excellence in curation and the customer experience informs her strong point of view on wearable, elegant designs, the organization said.
Louis A. Guarino Jr., Louis Anthony Jewelers, is a graduate gemologist with more than 40 years of experience. His global sourcing background makes him a sought-after expert in discerning true artistry and market appeal in fine jewelry, said the nonprofit.
Magdalena Hess, founder of Jose Hess Design Awards and Jose’s wife, is an award-winning designer and the longtime creative partner of Jose Hess. She is continuing their shared legacy of design excellence through her leadership of the awards program, it said.
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.
The theme of the 2025 awards is “Radiance,” celebrating timeless beauty in fine jewelry works that reflect enduring brilliance, emotion, and artistry.
The judging panel consists of five people who bring a rich mix of heritage, innovation, and influence from across the jewelry industry, said the organization.
The 2025 Jose Hess Design Awards Judges are as follows:
Susan Helmich, Susan Helmich Design, has been a celebrated goldsmith and jewelry designer for more than 50 years. Her creations embody a passion for the earth’s natural beauty, ancient, art, and exceptional craftsmanship, said the organization.
Helmich’s work has been featured in the Smithsonian and honored by AGTA, WJA, and MJSA.
Tracey Ellison, The Diamond Girl, is a social media and fine jewelry influencer with millions of followers on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. She has a front-row view of the innovation in today’s market and is known for her sharp eye and deep love for fine jewelry, said organizers.
Veronica Guarino, Louis Anthony Jewelers, is a leader in jewelry marketing and retail strategy. She has guided the family-owned retailer since it was co-founded by her and Louis A. Guarino Jr. in 1990.
Her dedication to excellence in curation and the customer experience informs her strong point of view on wearable, elegant designs, the organization said.
Louis A. Guarino Jr., Louis Anthony Jewelers, is a graduate gemologist with more than 40 years of experience. His global sourcing background makes him a sought-after expert in discerning true artistry and market appeal in fine jewelry, said the nonprofit.
Magdalena Hess, founder of Jose Hess Design Awards and Jose’s wife, is an award-winning designer and the longtime creative partner of Jose Hess. She is continuing their shared legacy of design excellence through her leadership of the awards program, it said.
The judges will evaluate submitted designs based on originality, craftsmanship, technical proficiency, and consumer wearability.
Finalists were chosen from a competitive field of submissions, each inspired by this year’s theme.
The winning designers will be announced and celebrated at the JCK Show in Las Vegas on Saturday, June 7.
The Jose Hess Design Awards presentation and ceremony will be held at the Designer Lounge in the Design Collective at JCK from 3 to 5 p.m. local time.
The event’s attendees will be the first to view the three award-winning pieces, which will be followed by a cocktail reception.
“Don’t miss the unforgettable celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and the spirit of design that defines the Jose Hess Design Awards,” said the organization.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New AmbassadorThe 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry HallThe West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.
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.
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-NegativeThis past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.
Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From YepremThe brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in BurglariesJSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast FlagshipLocated on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan FlagshipThe new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New CampaignThe online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive DirectorShe will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry NetworkWorking with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for RelaunchThe jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report SaysThe jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot RubiesWelcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry SalesThe best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.
