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.

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.
The Latest

The largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.

Emmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.

In honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

The trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.


NRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.

The “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

The jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.

Sponsored by Jewelers Mutual

The proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.

The Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.

The “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.

Natalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.

The pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.

Julien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.

Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.

Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.

The annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.

Seized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.

Rodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.

“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.

The AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.

The jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.

Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.

The retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.

The “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
























