The Best Moments From the 2026 Gem Awards

New York—Talk of who wore what to the Oscars dominated headlines on Sunday and Monday, but the jewelry industry had its own celebration Friday night that was arguably just as interesting. 

There were touching speeches, a surprise appearance by a supermodel, and plenty of good fashion, like Lauren Harwell Godfrey’s “Granny Squares” dress, Randi Molofsky’s vintage top and skirt, and Johnny Nelson’s white-hot suit. 

Relive the best of the 2026 Gem Awards with us below.

A ‘90s Icon Suprises Everyone
Fans of “Freedom! ‘90” were gagged when Linda Evangelista took the stage to start off the evening, presenting the Gem Award for High Jewelry to Ana Khouri.

Originally a sculptor, Khouri endeavored to find a way to blend sculpture and jewelry, to create pieces that “carry the spirit of art, yet live intimately with the person who wears them,” she said in her acceptance speech.

She is the first independent designer ever to take this honor, which typically goes to one of the large fine jewelry houses.

Khouri said the award “shows that there is a space for all of us—for independent voices, for women, for the next generation of artists who are reshaping the way we think about jewelry.

“Thank you for this profound honor and thank you for giving independent voices a place in his extraordinary world.”

Johnny Nelson Keeps It Short and Sweet
David Yurman admittedly went off script the second he took the stage to honor the winner of the first David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, a $50,000 prize for an emerging jewelry designer that includes mentoring with industry leaders and members of Yurman’s team.

As previously announced, the inaugural winner was Johnny Nelson.

Wearing fistfuls of his own jewelry, the designer opened this speech by offering peace and blessings to the audience before expressing gratitude.

“I’m very grateful to have a mentor like David Yurman [who trusts] in my vision. I feel like David gets me,” Nelson said, drawing laughter from the audience.

“I’m thankful to the Gem Awards, to Jewelers of America, to all my peers and supporters, to mumsy for sparking light and actually showing me how to make jewelry, and thank you God. Have a good night.”

WWD’s Thomas Waller Thanks His Mother
Three awards were presented live at the Gem Awards: Media Excellence, Retail Innovation, and Jewelry Design.

Of the live awards, Media Excellence was presented first to Thomas Waller, WWD’s senior market editor, accessories, who thanked his team and his sources—the retailers, the creative directors, and the executives.

“It’s a challenging time in media but I’m proud to say that I work somewhere where every day, I show up, and old-fashioned journalism still matters, integrity in storytelling still matters,” he said to applause from the audience. “But I don’t do it alone, I have an amazing team … we all do it together.”

Waller continued, “But the thing is, any good journalist will tell you, I’m only as good as my sources and that’s you guys … Thank you for trusting me with your stories … I’m so incredibly grateful to be here tonight. I’m standing in a skirt in front of 600 people, it’s like a fever dream right now for me.”

The last person he thanked was his mother. She was not at the Gem Awards but Waller had one request on her behalf.

“If you’re taking photos or videos please, she wants to see them right away. She’s a single mom, [I’m an] only child, and I’m here because of her. Thank you so much.” 

The Retail Innovation award went to Jessica McCormack.

The New Zealand-born, London-based jewelry designer opened a store on Madison Avenue in New York in 2025, in a Beaux-Arts building dating to 1879. 

McCormack was not in attendance at the Gem Awards. Leonie Brantberg, CEO of the brand, accepted the award on her behalf. 

 
Silvia Furmanovich Takes Home the Design Prize
The Jewelry Design category was stacked this year, with each nominee equally talented and distinctive in their styles—CeCe Fein-Hughes of CeCe Jewellery, Catherine Sarr of Almasika, and the winner, Silvia Furmanovich.

In her speech, Furmanovich spoke of the collaborative nature of jewelry-making, and the unifying power of art.

“In a world that sometimes feels full of discord, I believe creativity has a quiet and powerful way of bringing people together. For me, art has always been a way through, a way to transform differences into dialect and beauty,” she said.

“When people from different places collaborate to create something beautiful, it reminds us of what connects us, rather than what divides us.” 

The Udells Make It a Family Affair
To close out the evening, London Jewelers’ Mark and Candy Udell were honored with the Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement, an honor that coincided with a major milestone for the retailer.

London Jewelers is celebrating 100 years in business this year.

After making their way to the stage amid a standing ovation, Mark and Candy reflected on the importance of family, hard work, and dedication.

“Standing on this stage to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award is something we never could have imagined when this journey began,” Candy said. 

“We didn’t build this company thinking about recognition; we built it thinking about people and relationships. Our relationships are built on mutual trust and respect, something we hold dearly in our hearts.”

At the conclusion of their speech, Mark and Candy invited their extended family to join them on the stage and introduced the audience to what seems destined to be the store’s fifth generation of leadership—their grandchildren. 

The Gem Awards are slated to return to Cipriani 42nd Street in 2027 for what will be its 25th anniversary.