Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2026
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Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards Grant
Nelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
Johnny Nelson is the designer behind his line, Johnny Nelson Jewelry. His work is inspired by the art and culture surrounding punk, hip-hop, and spirituality.
New York—The Gem Awards Committee and David Yurman have named Johnny Nelson as the winner of the inaugural David Yurman Gem Awards Grant.
Nelson, the designer behind Johnny Nelson Jewelry, will receive $50,000, mentorship meetings with David Yurman executives, and consultative meetings with other industry leaders.
He will be honored on stage during the 24th annual Gem Awards gala, which will take place Friday.
Nelson said he is blessed, honored, and grateful to receive the grant.
“To be recognized by David and Sybil Yurman, along with the esteemed Gem Awards Committee—leaders who have helped shape the landscape of American fine jewelry—is profoundly meaningful. This award affirms my commitment to amplifying culture and legacy through craftsmanship, art, and design,” said Nelson.
“I am excited for the doors this grant will open for Johnny Nelson Jewelry and for the invaluable mentorship opportunities with David Yurman and team, to whom I greatly respect and admire.”
Nelson’s work is inspired by the art and culture surrounding punk, hip-hop, and spirituality.
His line offers a range of sculptural pieces that spark conversation, including hair beads, rings, bracelets, crowns, body amor, anklets, earrings, and necklaces.
Each piece is hand-sculpted from sterling silver, 14-, or 18-karat gold and features materials like wax, resin, sandstone, and precious gems like diamonds, emeralds, and garnets.
Johnny Nelson Jewelry pieces make a statement, fusing heritage, political consciousness, and artistry.
Nelson’s offerings branch out from just his core collection, with limited-edition collaborations with brands like Adidas and custom commissions.
His work was also featured in the “Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry” exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
“Johnny Nelson has been charting his own course in the jewelry world from the moment he became a designer,” said Marion Fasel, Gem Awards chair.
“His presentation for the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant had a wonderful combination of sharing his past achievements and a specificity of areas for potential growth he could achieve with additional funding, mentoring, and recognition. We are all thrilled he is our inaugural grant winner.”
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Nelson, the designer behind Johnny Nelson Jewelry, will receive $50,000, mentorship meetings with David Yurman executives, and consultative meetings with other industry leaders.
He will be honored on stage during the 24th annual Gem Awards gala, which will take place Friday.
Nelson said he is blessed, honored, and grateful to receive the grant.
“To be recognized by David and Sybil Yurman, along with the esteemed Gem Awards Committee—leaders who have helped shape the landscape of American fine jewelry—is profoundly meaningful. This award affirms my commitment to amplifying culture and legacy through craftsmanship, art, and design,” said Nelson.
“I am excited for the doors this grant will open for Johnny Nelson Jewelry and for the invaluable mentorship opportunities with David Yurman and team, to whom I greatly respect and admire.”
Nelson’s work is inspired by the art and culture surrounding punk, hip-hop, and spirituality.
His line offers a range of sculptural pieces that spark conversation, including hair beads, rings, bracelets, crowns, body amor, anklets, earrings, and necklaces.
Each piece is hand-sculpted from sterling silver, 14-, or 18-karat gold and features materials like wax, resin, sandstone, and precious gems like diamonds, emeralds, and garnets.
Johnny Nelson Jewelry pieces make a statement, fusing heritage, political consciousness, and artistry.
Nelson’s offerings branch out from just his core collection, with limited-edition collaborations with brands like Adidas and custom commissions.
His work was also featured in the “Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry” exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
“Johnny Nelson has been charting his own course in the jewelry world from the moment he became a designer,” said Marion Fasel, Gem Awards chair.
“His presentation for the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant had a wonderful combination of sharing his past achievements and a specificity of areas for potential growth he could achieve with additional funding, mentoring, and recognition. We are all thrilled he is our inaugural grant winner.”
Nelson was selected following an in-person presentation to David and Sybil Yurman and the Gem Awards Grant Committee.
“With the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, we’re proud to support emerging designers at a pivotal moment—when resources and mentorship can help transform momentum into lasting impact,” said David.
“Made with intention, Johnny Nelson’s work feels personal—each piece reflecting his ongoing relationship with form, meaning, and material. We’re honored to invest in his next chapter through our grant and our ongoing mentorship.”
The finalists for the grant were Hiba Husayni of Zahn-Z, Jules Kim of Bijules, Dorian Webb, and Lorraine West.
These five finalists were chosen from 90 submissions received during the nomination period.
The finalists will receive mentoring support from the Grant Committee and attend the Gem Awards next week.
The David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Committee members are David, Sybil, Fasel, Sam Broekema, Annie Doresca, Jennifer Gandia, Amanda Gizzi, Lauren Harwell Godfrey, and Jill Newman.
The David Yurman Gem Awards Grant aims to support and foster an emerging fine jewelry designer who has been in business for at least three years and shows exceptional promise.
It was created in partnership with Jewelers of America, the trade association that operates the Gem Awards, and David Yurman Enterprises LLC.
For more information on the Gem Awards and the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, visit the Gem Awards website.
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