Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
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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.
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