Events & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused AwardEvents & AwardsFeb 26, 2026
GIA Names 2026 Jewelry Design Contest Winner, Retires Annual Award
Catherine Aulick, a GIA graduate, received the ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
Catherine (Cathy) Aulick’s award-winning hand-rendered necklace design featuring gold, Ethiopian opal, and peridot.
Carlsbad, Calif.—The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation have announced the winner of the ninth annual Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
The award was given to Catherine (Cathy) Aulick, a graduate of GIA’s Jewelry Design course in Carlsbad, California, for her hand-rendered necklace design featuring gold, Ethiopian opal, and peridot.
The honor recognizes the outstanding talent of GIA jewelry design students worldwide. It was collaboratively established by GIA and the foundation in 2018.
GIA presented Aulick with the award at its annual GIA Alumni Collective “Night at the Museum” event, which took place at the University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum in Tucson, Arizona, on Feb. 6, closing day of the AGTA 2026 GemFair.
“I want to thank the Buccellati Foundation and GIA for the honor of this award. Hand rendering has given me a new and beautiful language for communicating my designs,” said Aulick.
She will be traveling to Italy to meet with a representative from the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation.
Aulick was selected from 12 finalists from the GIA Schools of Gemology and Jewelry Arts in Carlsbad, London, Mumbai, New York, and Taiwan.
She was chosen by a panel of judges, which included Alishan Halebian, award-winning designer, goldsmith, and owner of Alishan Jewelry Studio; Andrew Connors, director of Alburquerque Museum; Charles Lewton-Brain, master goldsmith, educator, and author; Nanz Aalund, award-winning jewelry designer, educator, and author; and Remy Rotenier, renowned jewelry artist and designer.
Related stories will be right here …
The award was given to Catherine (Cathy) Aulick, a graduate of GIA’s Jewelry Design course in Carlsbad, California, for her hand-rendered necklace design featuring gold, Ethiopian opal, and peridot.
The honor recognizes the outstanding talent of GIA jewelry design students worldwide. It was collaboratively established by GIA and the foundation in 2018.
GIA presented Aulick with the award at its annual GIA Alumni Collective “Night at the Museum” event, which took place at the University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum in Tucson, Arizona, on Feb. 6, closing day of the AGTA 2026 GemFair.
“I want to thank the Buccellati Foundation and GIA for the honor of this award. Hand rendering has given me a new and beautiful language for communicating my designs,” said Aulick.
She will be traveling to Italy to meet with a representative from the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation.
Aulick was selected from 12 finalists from the GIA Schools of Gemology and Jewelry Arts in Carlsbad, London, Mumbai, New York, and Taiwan.
She was chosen by a panel of judges, which included Alishan Halebian, award-winning designer, goldsmith, and owner of Alishan Jewelry Studio; Andrew Connors, director of Alburquerque Museum; Charles Lewton-Brain, master goldsmith, educator, and author; Nanz Aalund, award-winning jewelry designer, educator, and author; and Remy Rotenier, renowned jewelry artist and designer.
Aulick is the final winner of the Gianmaria Buccellati Award for Excellence in Design, as GIA has decided to retire the contest.
“It’s been a pleasure collaborating with the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation and presenting this award each year—recognizing all the wonderful talent in design among GIA students globally,” said Cathryn Ramirez, chief learning officer at GIA.
“GIA is currently planning its new design competition and details will be shared in the near future.”
GIA’s Jewelry Design courses teach drafting, shading, design theory, and illustration using several mediums. At the end of each course, students have a hand-developed portfolio of their work and a digital copy.
GIA also offers programs in jewelry design & technology, comprehensive CAD/CAM for jewelry, and its Graduate Jeweler program.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
AuctionsMar 18, 2026
Collection of the ‘Severely Beautiful’ Lady Wardington Fetches $161KThe model and fashion editor’s gold evening bags were the top lots at the London sale, going for more than $25,000 each.
PodcastsMar 18, 2026
Episode 3: An Interview With Jewelry Designer Johnny NelsonFresh off winning the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, Nelson discusses the ring that launched his career and his plans for the future.
SourcingMar 18, 2026
Lucara Recovers Nearly 37-Carat Blue DiamondThe “stunning” Type IIb stone was found via x-ray technology at its Karowe mine in Botswana.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
MajorsMar 18, 2026
Stuller Releases New Edition of Jewelry Education Book“The Basics of Jewelry” has been updated to include modern topics and visuals.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingMar 17, 2026
Cruzeiro Mine Debuts ‘Winter Tourmaline’The Brazilian mine’s new collection features cabochons in soft, muted shades like silver and lilac.
TrendsMar 17, 2026
Natalie Portman Is Tiffany & Co.’s New AmbassadorThe Academy Award-winning actress stars in Tiffany & Co.’s latest commercial, which debuted Sunday night during the Oscars.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsMar 17, 2026
Kering Establishes Jewelry Division, Appoints CEOThe organizational change follows Kering’s promise of a transformation after declining sales in 2025.
EditorsMar 16, 2026
2026 Oscars Jewelry: One Necklace After AnotherNatalie Francisco rounds up the top Oscars jewels, including Rose Byrne’s Taffin necklace with a more than 20-carat yellow-brown diamond.
WatchesMar 16, 2026
TAG Heuer Has a New CEOBéatrice Goasglas has been with TAG Heuer since 2018. She is the first woman to head the 166-year-old, LVMH-owned watch brand.
IndependentsMar 16, 2026
Ben Bridge Debuts New Honolulu BoutiqueThe store features the first in-store build for the jeweler’s in-house “Bella Ponte” bridal brand.
AuctionsMar 16, 2026
Bonhams Paris To Offer Antique, Signed Jewels The live fine jewelry auction will take place later this week, showcasing antique pieces, rare gemstones, and signed jewels.
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
