AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
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.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
Weekly QuizSep 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
Policies & IssuesSep 17, 2026
Tariffs on India Could Increase as Russian Sanctions Bill Heads to Trump’s DeskThe bill has a provision that allows the president to raise tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas to as much as 100 percent.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CollectionsSep 17, 2026
Cynthia Erivo, Zoë Chicco’s Jewelry Collab Is an Ode to TransformationThe “Chrysalis” capsule centers butterfly motifs representing growth, transformation, and the unfolding of who you are.
PodcastsSep 16, 2026
Episode 9: Remembering Cindy EdelsteinTwo special guests join the podcast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the designer advocate, mentor, and author’s untimely passing.
CollectionsSep 16, 2026
Jessica McCormack, L’Objet Collab on Homewares CollectionMcCormack brings sea-inspired motifs from her “Beaches” collection to L’Objet’s tableware, vanity pieces, and first-ever cutlery set.
CrimeSep 16, 2026
JSA Issues Warning to NJ Jewelers After Rash of Smash and GrabsNine New Jersey jewelers have been victims of smash-and-grab robberies this year, prompting JSA to circulate a list of recommendations.
IndependentsSep 16, 2026
Bromberg & Co. Names New PresidentMarlin “Brian” Hood, who has been with the store for 20 years, will succeed Ricky Bromberg, who died earlier this month.
MajorsSep 16, 2026
Midas Chain Releases ‘House of Midas’ Bridal CatalogThe new bridal catalog features the latest jewelry collections and designs from timeless classics to modern silhouettes.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
2026 Emmys Jewelry: An Either/Or Proposition Stars wore either a necklace or earrings at 78th Primetime Emmy Awards but rarely both, Natalie Francisco notes.
ColumnistsSep 15, 2026
The Levels Your Website Must Clear Before AI Recommends YouJennifer Shaheen compares this new era of AI-powered SEO to a video game: your website must clear one level before advancing to the next.
IndependentsSep 15, 2026
Armadani Launches Retail Support Program for Holiday SeasonThe program highlights “Made in Italy” fine jewelry with digital merchandising, sales education, and local marketing support.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
Q&A: Signet Jewelers’ Joan Hilson on Diamond Demand, the HolidaysHilson, Signet’s chief operating and financial officer, discussed Q2, resurgent natural diamond demand, and why Blue Nile is a standout.
ColumnistsSep 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
AuctionsSep 14, 2026
22 Carats of ‘Sunshine’ Are Up for AuctionThe 22.09-carat fancy yellow “Pragnell Kimberley Sunshine Diamond” is part of the fall jewelry sale at Heritage Auctions.
IndependentsSep 14, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers to Unveil Photography Exhibition“Adornos: Jewelry, Memory & What We Pass Down” honors the jewelry’s importance to New York City’s Latine communities.
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Gemfields Sells All Lots at First Emerald Auction in 9 MonthsThe company’s managing director of sales said the results demonstrate “continued strong demand for commercial-quality emeralds.”
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Pledges Support for Eye Care ProgramThe nonprofit awarded a grant to the Gift of Sight initiative spearheaded by South African musician Black Coffee.
CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2026
The Edge Awards Scholarships to 2 Young Jewelry ProfessionalsThe recipients were recognized at the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States’ annual banquet.
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
