SourcingJul 15, 2026
1,305-Carat Diamond Recovered from Mine in BotswanaThe yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.
Events & AwardsJan 22, 2018
At the 2018 Gem Awards, Women Shine
Irene Neuwirth, Marion Fasel and Moda Operandi were winners while Sally Morrison received the Lifetime Achievement Award and Debra Messing delivered a perfect speech.
The women honored Friday night at the 16th annual Gem Awards included, from left to right, jewelry designer Irene Neuwirth; editor and author Marion Fasel; and actress Debra Messing.
New York--Cipriani 42nd St. was packed by industry members donning their sartorial best and decked out in their finest jewels Friday evening as the venue played host to the 16th annual Gem Awards.
Jewelry designer Stephen Webster served his second turn as the event’s emcee, saying that it was the “single most glittering night of the year, when the only thing that outshines the brilliance of the diamonds is the brilliantine finish of the people who work with them.”
The gregarious designer kept the audience entertained in between inviting presenters to the stage to announce the winners in three categories.
E-commerce site Moda Operandi took home the Gem Award for Retail Innovation, while editor and author Marion Fasel of The Adventurine won in the Media Excellence category and the award for Jewelry Design went to Irene Neuwirth.
The event, in fact, was a sweep for women, also recognizing Sally Morrison with the Lifetime Achievement Award and actress Debra Messing with the Gem Award for Jewelry Style, both of which were announced prior to the event.
Morrison has worked on pivotal projects like Love Gold for the World Gold Council and in marketing for Gemfields, helping the mining company get colored gemstones on the red carpet.
When she got up to accept her award, she said that it was moments like these that made her think about what she has done and what she still wants to do.
After talking about her many mentors and projects that she’s fortunate enough to have been a part of, she added: “However, with such incredible opportunities and such amazing access to incredible role models and mentoring, I can’t help but wonder, if I were a man, would my career have had a different, loftier trajectory?”
She then asked aloud why there weren’t more women in leadership roles in the industry, adding that there needs to be more though and discussion about this.
“We make products that represent and celebrate the most meaningful and transformative moments in a woman’s life. Ultimately, she’s our customer, and we need to honor her. We need every aspect of what we do to be worthy of the product we sell. To do a better job at this, we must involve women in all aspects of our industry.”
Messing, meanwhile, was recognized for her role in helping raise consumer awareness of fine jewelry, and at the Gem Awards
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Friday night, she showed herself to be a true lover of the sector.
In a video that played before she took to the stage, she talked about her early memories of jewelry, stemming from her father’s experience manufacturing in Rhode Island and coming home with bags of samples. “It’s what I played with,” the “Will & Grace” star said. “I didn’t play with Barbies. I played with jewelry.”
Her love for jewelry has grown and evolved since childhood, not only playing a part in her real life but also in her characters’ lives.
She said in the video that when she puts on jewelry, “It’s like I’m choosing what aspect of myself I want to reveal for the day. It’s visceral. It’s chemical. It’s not something you can fake. I see it, and it literally changes my blood pressure. It changes my pulse. It feels like it gives me life.”
Messing continued to gush about her love for and the importance of jewelry when she got onto the stage to accept her award, delivering a heartfelt speech that was well-received in a room full of people who thrive on selling love and emotion.
“I can tell you where every piece of jewelry in my now vast collection comes from: from whom, for what occasion, which country pieces were discovered in. Jewelry tells the story of my life.”
She talked about putting on a coral necklace and Tuareg ring to remember her time in the Sahara desert. When she misses her mom, the only thing that comforts her, she said, is putting on her ring.
Messing also talked about wearing jewelry being a “shared experience,” with a piece being able to affect the viewer as much as the wearer.
“It is a potent balm that has the power to comfort and uplift. That is no small thing. Thank you for bringing beauty in to my life and for making this fan girl feeling so welcomed in your community.”
In a video that played before she took to the stage, she talked about her early memories of jewelry, stemming from her father’s experience manufacturing in Rhode Island and coming home with bags of samples. “It’s what I played with,” the “Will & Grace” star said. “I didn’t play with Barbies. I played with jewelry.”
Her love for jewelry has grown and evolved since childhood, not only playing a part in her real life but also in her characters’ lives.
She said in the video that when she puts on jewelry, “It’s like I’m choosing what aspect of myself I want to reveal for the day. It’s visceral. It’s chemical. It’s not something you can fake. I see it, and it literally changes my blood pressure. It changes my pulse. It feels like it gives me life.”
Messing continued to gush about her love for and the importance of jewelry when she got onto the stage to accept her award, delivering a heartfelt speech that was well-received in a room full of people who thrive on selling love and emotion.
“I can tell you where every piece of jewelry in my now vast collection comes from: from whom, for what occasion, which country pieces were discovered in. Jewelry tells the story of my life.”
She talked about putting on a coral necklace and Tuareg ring to remember her time in the Sahara desert. When she misses her mom, the only thing that comforts her, she said, is putting on her ring.
Messing also talked about wearing jewelry being a “shared experience,” with a piece being able to affect the viewer as much as the wearer.
“It is a potent balm that has the power to comfort and uplift. That is no small thing. Thank you for bringing beauty in to my life and for making this fan girl feeling so welcomed in your community.”
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
IndependentsJul 15, 2026
New Jersey Jeweler Barry Berman Dies at 81The founder of Fords Jewelers, Berman is remembered for his love of connecting with his community.
FinancialsJul 15, 2026
Watches of Switzerland’s US Sales Jump 18%, Declines to Comment on Sale Report The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”
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.
CollectionsJul 15, 2026
Pomellato’s New High Jewelry Is LiberatingBold color, expressive gem-setting, and sculptural form define the three chapters that make up “Stile Libero.”
Weekly QuizJul 09, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsJul 14, 2026
Foundrae Opens First Standalone Store Outside USThe New York-based jewelry brand has expanded overseas, opening a store in London’s Mayfair district.
ColumnistsJul 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: What Today’s Jewelry Consumer Is Telling Us Rising revenue does not automatically mean a healthy business, particularly in the current economic landscape, Smith writes.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
TrendsJul 14, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Shoulder Dusters These long, fluid drop earrings are sure to catch the eye.
CrimeJul 14, 2026
Man Charged in $1M Jewelry Store Heist Lands on FBI Most Wanted ListAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged with robbing a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and is the only one still at large.
Lab-GrownJul 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Changes Her Mind on Lab-Grown DiamondsThe designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.
SourcingJul 13, 2026
De Beers Announces Potential Layoffs, 2-Year Production Pause at VenetiaThe diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
Registration Opens for JIS Fall 2026 ShowThe annual trade-only buying event is slated for Oct. 16-19 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026AGTA also has announced the lineup of judges for the colored gemstone cutting and jewelry design contest’s various categories.
TechnologyJul 10, 2026
There’s a New Blind Box for Luxury Watches Collectibles platform Arena Club’s new Time Boxes could contain a Rolex or Patek Philippe watch.
TrendsJul 10, 2026
Jade Trau Creates a Constellation of DiamondsThe “Constellation Plié” collar, our Piece of the Week, features diamonds arranged in a constellation of shining stars.
SourcingJul 10, 2026
CFO of De Beers’ Consumer-Facing Division Leaves Company Shaun Wills joined the company in 2024 and was chief financial officer of the De Beers Brands and Consumer Markets division.
WatchesJul 10, 2026
Brilliant Earth Expands Into WatchesIn honor of its 20th anniversary, the jewelry brand has released a limited-edition collection of Swiss-made timepieces.
CollectionsJul 09, 2026
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Collection Is an Ode to the Human Touch“Human Being” highlights the similarities and differences between us through five sets of jewelry that celebrate fine craftsmanship.
WatchesJul 09, 2026
Damiani Group Finalizes Acquisition of Baume & MercierRichemont will continue to provide operational services for the watch brand for a period while the group prepares to integrate it.
AuctionsJul 09, 2026
Pharrell Williams’ Joopiter Hires Former Bonhams Exec to Head New Watch DivisionNate Borgelt will lead the digital auction house and content platform’s new division as head of watches.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
Halstead Names 2026 Grant WinnerEnoch Platero, founder and designer behind Enoch Michael, is the first Native American jeweler to win the award.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
AGS, GIA Name 2026 Beatrice Shipley Scholarship WinnerAGS also announced the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Kendra Scott Joins ‘Shark Tank’ As Permanent Investor The founder of the billion-dollar jewelry and lifestyle brand will debut as a full-time “Shark” on the upcoming season of the show.
SurveysJul 08, 2026
Signet Jewelers Falls 5 Spots on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListPlus, why retailers should be ready to adjust as the U.S. population may decline this year for the first time since the Great Depression.
CrimeJul 08, 2026
Here’s What Thieves Stole From the Lalique Museum René Lalique’s “Woman Dragonfly With Open Wings” pendant, the first piece the museum acquired, was one of the jewels taken.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Richline Group Promotes 2 ExecsArien Gessner and Moss Makhoulian have been elevated into newly created roles.
