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Meet the 2026 Gem Award Nominees
Notable jewelry designers, members of the press, and retailers are up for an award at next year’s gala.
A look inside the 2025 Gem Awards, hosted by Jewelers of America. The upcoming gala will be held on March 13, 2026. (Image credit: Matt Borkowski/BFA.com)
New York—The 2026 Gem Awards nominees have been revealed.
On Tuesday, Jewelers of America unveiled the list of potential award winners for next year’s gala, set to take place March 13, 2026, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
The 24th annual event recognizes the achievements of individuals and companies whose work raises the visibility of fine jewelry and watches.
For the 2026 Gem Awards, nominees are divided into three categories: Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation.
In addition to these awards, as previously announced, Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement at the gala. The award will coincide with the retailer’s 100th anniversary.
These are the 2026 Gem Award nominees.
Jewelry Design Nominees
On Tuesday, Jewelers of America unveiled the list of potential award winners for next year’s gala, set to take place March 13, 2026, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
The 24th annual event recognizes the achievements of individuals and companies whose work raises the visibility of fine jewelry and watches.
For the 2026 Gem Awards, nominees are divided into three categories: Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation.
In addition to these awards, as previously announced, Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement at the gala. The award will coincide with the retailer’s 100th anniversary.
These are the 2026 Gem Award nominees.
Jewelry Design Nominees
Cece Fein-Hughes, Cece Jewellery. Fein-Hughes gravitates to the storytelling behind jewelry. She began goldsmithing in 2018, after studying art history at Exeter University in England and working at Christie’s and Sotheby’s. She also attended the British Academy of Jewellery and learned the art of enameling, a technique she often employs in her jewelry. She also takes inspiration from her father’s deep-sea diving adventures and tattoos, featuring nautical symbols, animals, and mythical creatures in her work.
Silvia Furmanovich, Silvia Furmanovich. The Brazilian jewelry designer hails from a family of Italian goldsmiths, including her great-grandfather who created ornaments for the Vatican. Furmanovich launched her namesake brand in 1998 and continues to work from her atelier in São Paulo with her three sons. Her work displays a reverence for craftsmanship and cultural collaboration, incorporating marquetry, lacquer, and miniature painting with natural materials like bamboo, silk, and wood alongside gemstones. Her work appears in museum collections in New York and Minneapolis. Furmanovich has won four Couture Design Awards and was nominated for a Gem Award in 2019.
Catherine Sarr, Almasika. Paris-born Sarr founded Almasika in Chicago, inspired by the symbols and stories that connect people across cultures. Her jewels bridge art, heritage, and shared human experience, and have been seen on Michelle Obama, Alicia Keys, and Reese Witherspoon. Sarr, alongside her husband Mamadou-Abou Sarr, supports emerging artists through The Sarr Collection. She also serves on the board of the Terra Foundation for American Art and was named Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Government in 2022.
Media Excellence Nominees
Nicole Martine Chapoteau. Chapoteau is Vanity Fair’s fashion director as well as a stylist. A graduate of NYU and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., she began her career in architecture before moving into fashion. She’s held roles at Marie Claire, InStyle, and Allure, establishing herself as a leader in accessories and style direction. She has styled several celebrities, including Regina King, Bad Bunny, Simone Biles, and Angela Davis. Her work also appears in Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, The Cut, and Ebony.
Emili Vesilind. Vesilind is the editor-in-chief of Gem + Jewel, a jewelry magazine produced by Jewelers Mutual Group. She has been writing about jewelry since 2012, previously serving as a senior editor at JCK magazine for nearly a decade. Prior to jewelry journalism, she was covering the fashion industry for the Los Angeles Times and Women’s Wear Daily (WWD). Vesilind is also the co-host at-large for jewelry podcast “Rough Cut.” Her work can also be found in CNN, The Cut, Vogue Australia, Curator, and Vox. She lives on the Beltway in Virginia with her husband and two kids.
Thomas Waller. Waller is the senior fashion market editor for accessories at WWD. While he covers all accessories, his “obsessions” are watches and fine jewelry. Waller admires the craft, precision, and storytelling behind the pieces and explores how design, heritage, and innovation influence how we wear jewelry. Waller writes collection critiques, business and retail features, industry trend analysis, and collaborates on WWD’s visual storytelling through fashion and accessory editorials. Prior to joining WWD, he held editorial roles at InStyle and Allure. Outside of work, he is a culture and travel nerd and a self-professed “Real Housewives” historian.
Retail Innovation Nominees
Day’s Jewelers. Founded in 1914, the New England retailer began as a small family business in Maine and now has nine locations across Maine and New Hampshire. The retailer became a 100 percent employee-owned company in 2021. It promotes responsible sourcing, community involvement, and lasting value for its customers and employee-owners. Day’s offers immersive in-store experiences, advanced digital tools, and customer care. Its motto is “Sparkle Everyday,” which highlights the retailer’s mission to bring joy, connection, and beauty to life’s special moments.
Emily Chelsea Jewelry. Designer Emily Phillippy founded Emily Chelsea Jewelry in 2015, with a focus on inclusivity, transparency, and values-driven innovation. The Philadelphia retailer offers gender-free fine jewelry, traceable sourcing, and a personalized design process. Phillippy is an advocate for LGBTQIA+ representation and aims to make every customer feel seen and celebrated. The retailer continues to expand its team, showroom, and impact under Phillippy’s leadership.
Jessica McCormack. The London-based fine jewelry brand is best known for its signature antique-meets-modern aesthetic. The female-led company has been expanding rapidly, with a following of collectors, entrepreneurs, and celebrities. The jeweler opened its first store in the United States on New York City’s Madison Avenue this year, as well as a concession at Harrods in London. The brand encourages “day diamonds” for everyday wear and crafts its jewelry in-house at its Mayfair, London, workshop.
To support the honorees, purchase sponsorships, and view advertising opportunities, visit the Gem Awards website.
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