SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRFThe National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.
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
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With MagicThe 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in MilanThe multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.
Weekly QuizApr 03, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesApr 03, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on TariffsThe virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a ZooThe pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For NowParent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C. Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
