Events & AwardsJan 15, 2026
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These Are the 5 Finalists for the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant
The grant is in its first year and was created to recognize an exceptional fine jewelry designer whose star is on the rise.
The finalists for the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant are (back row) Hiba Husayni, (second row from left) Johnny Nelson and Jules Kim, and (front row from left) Dorian Webb and Lorraine West.
New York—Jewelers of America and the Gem Awards Committee have announced the finalists for the inaugural David Yurman Gem Awards Grant.
The $50,000 grant and mentorship program was created specifically for emerging jewelry designers.
The five finalists are:
Hiba Husayni of Zahn-Z,
Jules Kim of Bijules,
Johnny Nelson,
Dorian Webb, and
Lorraine West.
Hiba Husayni of Zahn-Z blends her love for jewelry with her commitment to women’s empowerment.
She’s inspired by her background in architecture and aims to create jewelry that reflects her client’s style and individuality.
Jules Kim of Bijules, a former New York nightlife impresario, brings a fresh perspective to the jewelry world, inspired by culture, creative exchange, and community building.
Her work features silhouettes that challenge jewelry norms, pairing traditional materials with sculptural forms. She was featured as part of “The Radiance by Couture” project, which celebrated BIPOC jewelry designers.
Johnny Nelson of Johnny Nelson Jewelry has a love for jewelry as well as raw talent and creative vision.
With a focus on statement pieces, Nelson is inspired by the arts and culture surrounding punk, hip-hop, and spirituality.
His work was featured in the “Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry” exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
Dorian Webb celebrates women and Black culture, calling attention to social justice issues. Her work is inspired by the belief that beauty and a sense of connection can have a societal impact.
Webb was a member of the inaugural class of the Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative.
Lorraine West of Lorraine West Jewelry is known for her handcrafted contemporary and fine jewelry pieces.
Her work honors her Caribbean roots, mixing bold and minimalist designs to showcase inner beauty and power.
Related stories will be right here …
The $50,000 grant and mentorship program was created specifically for emerging jewelry designers.
The five finalists are:
Hiba Husayni of Zahn-Z,
Jules Kim of Bijules,
Johnny Nelson,
Dorian Webb, and
Lorraine West.
Hiba Husayni of Zahn-Z blends her love for jewelry with her commitment to women’s empowerment.
She’s inspired by her background in architecture and aims to create jewelry that reflects her client’s style and individuality.
Jules Kim of Bijules, a former New York nightlife impresario, brings a fresh perspective to the jewelry world, inspired by culture, creative exchange, and community building.
Her work features silhouettes that challenge jewelry norms, pairing traditional materials with sculptural forms. She was featured as part of “The Radiance by Couture” project, which celebrated BIPOC jewelry designers.
Johnny Nelson of Johnny Nelson Jewelry has a love for jewelry as well as raw talent and creative vision.
With a focus on statement pieces, Nelson is inspired by the arts and culture surrounding punk, hip-hop, and spirituality.
His work was featured in the “Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry” exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
Dorian Webb celebrates women and Black culture, calling attention to social justice issues. Her work is inspired by the belief that beauty and a sense of connection can have a societal impact.
Webb was a member of the inaugural class of the Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative.
Lorraine West of Lorraine West Jewelry is known for her handcrafted contemporary and fine jewelry pieces.
Her work honors her Caribbean roots, mixing bold and minimalist designs to showcase inner beauty and power.
The five finalists were selected from the 90 submissions received during the nomination period.
Each of the finalists delivered an in-person presentation to David and Sybil Yurman and the other members of the Gem Awards Grant Committee.
“When we started out, we were two artists and we learned, step by step, what it takes to merge art and craft into a business. Those early days were very challenging, which is why we believe so deeply in mentorship and in giving emerging designers real tools and capital to help their growth and development,” Sybil Yurman said.
“The David Yurman Gem Awards Grant is our commitment to the next generation of extraordinary talent. It serves as a clear expression of our long-term vision and belief in nurturing what’s next.”
The David Yurman Gem Awards Grant committee also includes: Marion Fasel, Sam Broekema, Annie Doresca, Jennifer Gandia, Amanda Gizzi, Lauren Harwell Godfrey, and Jill Newman.
The grant was created in partnership with JA to support an emerging fine jewelry designer who has been in business for at least three years and shows exceptional promise.
One designer will receive the grant as well as access to mentoring meetings with David Yurman executives and consultative meetings with other industry leaders.
The number of entries submitted and the talent on display makes selecting just one winner difficult, Gem Awards Chair Marion Fasel said.
“However, we look to the Gem Awards community and the industry at large to uplift all of the finalists as we shed light on their stories, collections, and their talent. We remain grateful to the team at David Yurman, especially David and Sybil, for their partnership on this incredible grant program.”
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