Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
Events & AwardsMay 01, 2019
This Year, Couture Will Be Asking: WTF?!
The jewelry trade show wants exhibitors to submit images of designs gone wrong for a new award that is a “celebration of imperfection.”
The three entries so far for Couture’s inaugural “WTF?!” Award are this necklace from Stephen Webster (left), Katherine Jetter’s pendant (top right) and this 18-karat gold calculator from Deakin and Francis. See slideshow in story for more information on the inspiration, or lack thereof, behind each piece.
New York—Couture, the high-end jewelry trade show synonymous with the best in design, is on the lookout for the opposite.
Show organizers announced Monday the inaugural “WTF?! Award,” a “celebration of imperfection” for jewelry designs gone wrong or, as one might call it today, a #designfail or #designdisaster. (For those unsure of what “WTF” stands for, Urban Dictionary can provide an explanation.)
Submissions for the WTF?! Award opened last Thursday and are being accepted through May 15.
Those who want to enter are asked to submit a photo of a design disaster in any stage of production, as well as to complete this thought: “So what I was thinking was … ”
SEE: The Contenders for the “WTF?! Award” So Far
British cufflink maker Deakin and Francis said of this 18-karat gold calculator from the ‘80s: “It was made for a certain royal family, who decided they did not want an 18-karat gold calculator, and we don’t blame them. We also made 18-karat gold mobile phones, Walkmans and video cameras.”
Stephen Webster made this necklace 12 years ago. “It would be easy to blame it on mind-altering substance abuse. However, I fear I was in full control of my senses,” he wrote. “Despite throwing everything at this piece, including the kitchen sink, I still felt there was something missing. With hindsight I now realize that one missing ingredient was: the reason why.”
Designer Katherine Jetter wrote that the scale of this opal pendant is really its “winning feature.” “Clearly I wasn’t thinking anything useful at all when I designed this. I saw this super-cool opal cut like a shield and thought I should branch into the men’s sector; it was an obvious creative choice.”
Another view of Jetter’s opal pendant, this one better demonstrating its “winning feature”—the scale.
After May 15, online voting will open to the entire Couture community—meaning anyone who is registered for the jewelry trade show—and will remain open through May 29.
The so-called winner of the award will be announced at Couture’s opening night party, scheduled for Thursday, May 30 on the Sunset Terrace at Wynn Las Vegas. She or he will be presented with a medal befitting of the honor—think gaudy—and encouraged to wear it on the second day of the show.
The prize medallion will be passed onto the next winner of the WTF?! Award.
Couture Director and Emerald Expositions Senior Vice President Gannon Brousseau said the idea for the award came out of conversations with several veteran Couture designers at the Tucson gem shows earlier this year.
“We loved the idea and thought it was a great way to infuse some humor into our event, as well as highlight how the creative process, even among established designers, can have its ups and downs,” he said.
Couture 2019 is scheduled for Thursday, May 30 to Monday, June 3 at Wynn and Encore Las Vegas.
For more information about Couture, or to obtain press credentials, contact Michelle Orman at 646-302-5521 or email Michelle@LastWordComm.com.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
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.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
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.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
