IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2017
These Are the Winners of the 2017 Couture Design Awards
Diamonds that move, a hamburger ring and the presentation of the Cindy Edelstein Award were some of the evening’s highlights.
Las Vegas--Diamonds that move, a hamburger ring and the presentation of the Cindy Edelstein Award were just some of the highlights of the 2017 Couture Design Awards, held Sunday evening in Las Vegas.
This year, the show moved to the glitzy Encore Theater, a venue that made the night “feel like an actual awards show,” Couture show director and annual host Gannon Brousseau joked from the stage to open the show.
The first award presented was Best in Silver, which went to Atelier Zobel for an industrial, honeycomb-inspired design. The German brand, helmed by Peter Schmid, is known for its cool mixed-metal creations.
WINNER! Congratulations @atelier_zobel for Best of Silver #cda2017
A post shared by COUTURE (@by_couture) on Jun 4, 2017 at 7:27pm PDT
Nadine Ghosn, a young designer who debuted in Couture’s Design Atelier this year, received the award for Best in Innovative for her multi-layered hamburger ring, which is equal parts luxurious and humorous.
In one of the evening’s best shout-outs, Ghosn made sure to thank her intern for attending the show on her birthday weekend.
WINNER! Congratulations @nadineghosnjewelry for Best in Innovative! #cda2017
A post shared by COUTURE (@by_couture) on Jun 4, 2017 at 7:32pm PDT
Yvel was awarded with Best in Pearls for its unique pearl bracelet design. It’s one of many awards the edgy pearl-centric company has received from various trade shows and organizations over the years.
WINNER! Congratulations @yvel_jewelry for Best in Pearls! #cda2017
A post shared by COUTURE (@by_couture) on Jun 4, 2017 at 7:33pm PDT
The Best in Platinum award went to Heinrich and Denzel, another German brand that specializes in the material.
WINNER! Congratulations @henrich.denzel for Best in Platinum! #cda2017
A post shared by COUTURE (@by_couture) on Jun 4, 2017 at 7:36pm PDT
In the prestigious Best in Bridal category, Jade Trau--who described herself as a fifth-generation diamantaire but a first-generation designer--received top honors. Fittingly, she honored those who came before her, dedicating her award to her late grandfather who introduced her to the diamond business.
WINNER! Congratulations @jadetrau for Best in Bridal! #cda2017
A post shared by COUTURE (@by_couture) on Jun 4, 2017 at 7:37pm PDT
In its second year at the Couture show, New York-based brand Cadar, designed by Michal Kadar, received the award for Best in Gold, adding to the splash it’s made in the short time since its launch.
WINNER! Congratulations @cadardesigns for Best in Gold! #cda2017
A post shared by COUTURE (@by_couture) on Jun 4, 2017 at 7:40pm PDT
Best in Colored Gemstones Under $20,000 went to Amali Jewelry, known for its elegant gemstone and milgrain pieces.
WINNER! Congratulations @amalijewelry for Best in Colored Gemstones Below $20k
A post shared by COUTURE (@by_couture) on Jun 4, 2017 at 7:43pm PDT
Best in Colored Gemstones Above $20,000 went to John Hardy for a spectacularly elaborate cuff. It’s a promising way for John Hardy’s new designer to start her tenure at the Bali and New York-based house.
WINNER! Congratulations @johnhardyjewelry for Best in Colored Gemstones Above $20K! #cda2017
A post shared by COUTURE (@by_couture) on Jun 4, 2017 at 7:44pm PDT
Garavelli’s cool sculptural cuff that, even in a photograph, denotes the movement of ripples across water was awarded Best in Diamonds Below $20,000.
WINNER! Congratulations @garavelli_1920 for Best in Diamonds Below $20K! #cda2017
A post shared by COUTURE (@by_couture) on Jun 4, 2017 at 7:46pm PDT
Best in Diamonds Above $20,000 was another design full of movement, a pair of elaborate diamond earrings from Fernando Jorge, who went from exhibiting at a showroom’s
booth last year to his very own space at this Couture. His winning earrings, a result of a brand-new diamond collection he debuted at the show, were nominated across multiple categories.
Meanwhile, Best in Haute Couture was given to Pasquale Bruni for one of its spectacular diamond collars with an emerald drop, a style that has become a high jewelry signature for the company.
This year, men’s jewelry had its very own category and the Best in Men’s Jewelry award was given to Furrer Jacot, the historic Swiss design house that excels in pieces that can be worn by both genders.
Best in Debuting at Couture, always a hot category, went to Leyla Abdollahi, a Central Saint Martins graduate whose emerald and diamond necklace pays equal attention to the back of the design as the front.
Italian designer Giovanni Ferraris was the recipient of the Editor’s Choice award for his lightweight titanium and diamond earrings.
The People’s Choice award, which was determined by the audience at the show via text message for the second year, was awarded to fine jewelry house Mariani.
Last year, show organizers announced that an award would be created in honor of Cindy Edelstein, the brand consultant and designer advocate who passed away unexpectedly in January 2016.
And Edelstein’s daughter, Remy Stankus, was on hand to present the award, which went to British jewelry designer Stephen Webster for the work he’s done to help the careers of young jewelry designers and to ensure a sustainable supply chain for his own line.
Webster--who promotes promising U.K. designers, and shares his Couture space with them, through Rock Vault--was visibly emotional when accepting the award, thanking this team, his family and paying homage to the late Edelstein, whom he described as the advocate for jewelry designers in the United States.
“I’m lost for words. I feel really emotional here … because obviously I knew Cindy very, very well. I was right there in the beginning when she was the champion of designer jewelry in America, and as a Brit, I always felt very much a part of the spirit that she just passed on to everybody.”
But he also joked about the size of his award, which was smaller (and presumably lighter) than the awards presented to the design winners.
“Why is my award so small?” Webster quipped.
WINNER! Congratulations @fernandojorge for Best in Diamonds Above $20K! #cda2017
A post shared by COUTURE (@by_couture) on Jun 4, 2017 at 7:48pm PDT
Meanwhile, Best in Haute Couture was given to Pasquale Bruni for one of its spectacular diamond collars with an emerald drop, a style that has become a high jewelry signature for the company.
WINNER! Congratulations @pasqualebruni for Best in Haute Couture! #cda2017
A post shared by COUTURE (@by_couture) on Jun 4, 2017 at 7:50pm PDT
This year, men’s jewelry had its very own category and the Best in Men’s Jewelry award was given to Furrer Jacot, the historic Swiss design house that excels in pieces that can be worn by both genders.
WINNER! Congratulations @furrerjacotus for Best in Men's Jewelry! #cda2017
A post shared by COUTURE (@by_couture) on Jun 4, 2017 at 7:52pm PDT
Best in Debuting at Couture, always a hot category, went to Leyla Abdollahi, a Central Saint Martins graduate whose emerald and diamond necklace pays equal attention to the back of the design as the front.
WINNER! Congratulations @leylaabdollahilondon for Best in Debuting! #cda2017
A post shared by COUTURE (@by_couture) on Jun 4, 2017 at 7:55pm PDT
Italian designer Giovanni Ferraris was the recipient of the Editor’s Choice award for his lightweight titanium and diamond earrings.
WINNER! Congratulations @giovanniferrarisgioielli for Best in Editor's Choice! #cda2017
A post shared by COUTURE (@by_couture) on Jun 4, 2017 at 7:57pm PDT
The People’s Choice award, which was determined by the audience at the show via text message for the second year, was awarded to fine jewelry house Mariani.
WINNER! Congratulations @mariani1878 for Best in People's Choice! #cda2017
A post shared by COUTURE (@by_couture) on Jun 4, 2017 at 8:04pm PDT
Last year, show organizers announced that an award would be created in honor of Cindy Edelstein, the brand consultant and designer advocate who passed away unexpectedly in January 2016.
And Edelstein’s daughter, Remy Stankus, was on hand to present the award, which went to British jewelry designer Stephen Webster for the work he’s done to help the careers of young jewelry designers and to ensure a sustainable supply chain for his own line.
Webster--who promotes promising U.K. designers, and shares his Couture space with them, through Rock Vault--was visibly emotional when accepting the award, thanking this team, his family and paying homage to the late Edelstein, whom he described as the advocate for jewelry designers in the United States.
“I’m lost for words. I feel really emotional here … because obviously I knew Cindy very, very well. I was right there in the beginning when she was the champion of designer jewelry in America, and as a Brit, I always felt very much a part of the spirit that she just passed on to everybody.”
But he also joked about the size of his award, which was smaller (and presumably lighter) than the awards presented to the design winners.
“Why is my award so small?” Webster quipped.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.
AuctionsMay 06, 2025
Harwell Godfrey Reimagines 10-Carat Blue Diamond for Met Gala-Ready BroochDesigner Lauren Harwell Godfrey made the piece as an homage to the 2025 gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens New StoreLocated in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Gunderson’s Jewelers to Be Featured on ‘World’s Greatest’ TV SeriesThe episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.
IndependentsMay 05, 2025
Zadok Jewelers Opens Store in AustinThe Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.
AuctionsMay 05, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Heads to AuctionThe turquoise and diamond tiara hasn’t been on the market since it was purchased by Lord Astor in 1930.
SourcingMay 05, 2025
Crater of Diamonds Yields 4-Carat Brown Diamond“The Duke Diamond” is the largest diamond registered at the Arkansas park so far this year.
TrendsMay 02, 2025
Ring Concierge, Kraft Partner on Mother’s Day Macaroni Necklace The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.
CollectionsMay 02, 2025
Piece of the Week: Angely Martinez’s Emerald Promise RingSet with May’s birthstone and featuring an earthworm, this ring is a perfect celebration of spring.
MajorsMay 02, 2025
Stuller’s New Bridal Catalog Is Here“Bridal 2025–2026” includes popular styles and a dedicated section for quick pricing references of lab-grown diamond bridal jewelry.
SourcingMay 01, 2025
Tariffs & Colored Gemstones: Relying on Stock, Considering the Ripple EffectThough currently paused, high tariffs threaten many countries where gemstones are mined. Dealers are taking measures now to prepare.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Peek Inside David Yurman’s New Miami Flagship StoreLocated in Miami’s Design District, the 4,000-square-foot store is an homage to David and Sybil Yurman’s artistic roots.
TrendsMay 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: 20 Pieces of Emerald Jewelry for MayMay babies are lucky indeed, born in a month awash with fresh colors and celebrated with one of the most coveted colored gemstones.
