CrimeAug 18, 2026
2 California Men Arrested in Fatal Vehicle Smash RobberyOne is the driver who allegedly crashed a car into a Sacramento jewelry store in April, striking a 71-year-old employee who later died.
Events & AwardsAug 10, 2016
Couture names 2014 Design Award winners
The judges in this year’s Couture Design Awards had an unenviable, but not undesirable, task: they had to choose the winners among a field of amazing entries in a contest that grew by two categories since last year.
Speaking at the start of the Couture Design Awards ceremony, held Saturday night in Las Vegas, show Director Gannon Brousseau remarked on the quality of this year’s entries and expressed his admiration for the artistry of the designers who comprise Couture.
“From the conception of an idea to a finished work of art, your creative process is what distinguishes you as true artists. And your presence at Couture is what makes this show like no other in the world,” he said.
In the end, the five judges--Alex Sepkus, Amanda Weiner of Harper’s Bazaar, Candy Udell, Joanne Teichman of Ylang 23 and jewelry historian Vivienne Becker--narrowed the field of hundreds to just 36 designs, a winner and first and second runner-up in each of the 12 categories. In addition, retailers picked their favorites, casting ballots throughout the show for the People’s Choice award.
While there were two designers--Tomasz Donocik, who is part of Stephen Webster’s Rock Vault, and Alp Sagnak of Atelier Minyon--who took home two awards apiece last year, no one designer won more than one category this year.
Sagnak’s silver snake collar necklace, however, did notch him second runner-up in the Haute Couture category, which was a new category this year along with Innovative. The New York-based designer was a runner-up for the People’s Choice Award as well.
RELATED CONTENT: Couture innovates with two new design awards
Webster also had a solid year, winning first runner-up in the Colored Gems Above $20,000 category and having a design by another one of his Rock Vault designers, Fernando Jorge, selected as a winner.
Following presentation of the awards on Saturday night, the Couture community honored two other individuals, one a recently deceased designer and the other a retailer.
Brousseau led the crowd in a moment of silence for the late Robin Roteiner, who died at his home in New York City on May 20.
The evening then concluded with the emotional presentation of this year’s Human Spirit Award to Jim Rosenheim, owner of Tiny Jewel
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Box in Washington, D.C., by his son, Matthew.
Following a video featuring Jeff Feero from Alex Sepkus, David Yurman and Rod Kosan speaking about Rosenheim as a store owner, the retailer’s son said, “I speak for myself when I say that you are a great father, a dedicated grandfather, and an amazing and generous mentor. I’ve always looked up to you as a business person and as a human being, and your love and dedication to my mom is a constant source of inspiration to me.”
The complete list of the finalists and winners of the 2014 Couture Design Awards is as follows.
Bridal
Winner: Finn
First runner-up: Furrer Jacot
Second runner-up: Mark Patterson
Colored Gems Above $20,000
Winner: Nam Cho
First runner up: Stephen Webster
Second runner up: Miseno
Colored Gems Below $20,000
Winner: Fernando Jorge
First runner-up: Mattioli
Second runner-up: Annie Fensterstock
Diamonds Above $20,000
Winner: Qayten
First runner-up: Paolo Castagli
Second runner-up: Hearts on Fire
Diamonds Below $20,000
Winner: Suzanne Kalan
First runner-up: AS29
Second runner-up: Casato
Gold
Winner: Yossi Harari
First runner-up: Annamaria Camilli Gioielli
Second runner-up: Elena Votsi
Haute Couture
Winner: Giovanni Ferraris
First runner-up: Shaun Leane
Second runner-up: Atelier Minyon
Innovative
Winner: Henrich & Denzel
First runner-up: Roberto Demeglio/Sofer
Second runner-up: Jo Hayes Ward
Pearl
Winner: Yoko by Euro Pearls
First runner-up: Jewelmer
Second runner-up: Sutra
Platinum
Winner: Cynthia Bach
First runner-up: Steven Kretchmer
Second runner-up: Schaffrath
Silver
Winner: Montegrapa Italia
First runner-up: Konstantino
Second runner-up: Aida Bergsen
Debuting
Winner: Annamaria Camilli Gioielli
First runner-up: Qayten
Second runner-up: Roberto Demeglio/Sofer
People’s Choice
Winner: Magerit
Runners-up: Atelier Tom Munsteiner, Atelier Minyon, Shaun Leane
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
ColumnistsAug 18, 2026
Peter Smith: The IKEA Effect and Bridal Branding In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
Thieves Snatch $1M in Jewelry From New Jersey Jeweler9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Lab-GrownAug 18, 2026
Ring Concierge, Kendall Jenner Collab on Bridal Earrings GiveawayThe jeweler has partnered with Jenner’s 818 Tequila brand to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
