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.
OtherJan 11, 2015
Shinola, Stephen Webster among Gem Award winners
Shinola and Stephen Webster won for marketing/communications and design, respectively, while W magazine’s Claudia Mata took home the Gem for media excellence.
New York--A Detroit-made watch and accessories brand and a British designer were among those to take home a Gem Award on Friday night, as Jewelers of America’s held its annual awards ceremony at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York.
Considered the jewelry-industry equivalent of the Oscars, the Gem Awards recognize excellence in marketing and communications, media, and design.
For the second year in a row, the names of the winners in these three categories were kept under wraps until the event while the recipient of the annual Lifetime Achievement Award--this year, Larry Pelzel--was revealed prior to the event.
The first award of the night, marketing and communications, went to Detroit-based watch and leather goods company Shinola, which won out over De Beers’ Forevermark diamond brand and the Tudor Swiss watchmaking brand.
The award for media excellence went to W magazine’s Claudia Mata. After spending seven years at Town & Country, Mata joined W in 2011 as the accessories and jewelry director. She is now in charge of all jewelry and accessories editorial coverage, and covers the women’s accessory markets, fashion and jewelry/watch shows, and styles photo shoots.
Mata beat out nominees Maria Doulton, founder of The Jewellery Editor, and Jack Forster of Revolution Magazine USA.
The final award of the night, for design, went to Stephen Webster, who was recognized for his combination of innovative design and attention to detail, beating out fellow nominees Alexis Bittar and Todd Reed.
The evening wrapped up with the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Pelzel, the vice president and divisional merchandise manager of the Precious Jewels division at Neiman Marcus.
With a career in the fine jewelry industry that spans more than three decades, Pelzel was recognized by the industry not only for his stellar career helping build the retailer’s jewelry division, but also for his attitude and the impact he’s had on those with which he works.
After an introduction from Neiman Marcus CEO Karen Katz, Pelzel took to the stage to talk about his career, offer thanks to his mentor--the late Steve Magner, who helped him get his start--and to ensure everyone that even though he was winning a lifetime achievement award, he planned on being around for years to come.
Pelzel got his start at Neiman Marcus in 1980, working his way up from sales associate, precious jewels, to his current position of vice president
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
and divisional merchandise manager, precious jewels. Based at the retailer’s flagship store in Dallas, Pelzel oversees all aspects of the Precious Jewels Division, from buying, to in‐house design, to promotions and advertising.
He also was inducted into National Jeweler’s Retail Hall of Fame in 2012.
He also was inducted into National Jeweler’s Retail Hall of Fame in 2012.
More on Other
The Latest
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.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
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.
Weekly QuizMay 01, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
Brought to you by
Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program Announces Second Cohort of Aspiring Jewelry Entrepreneurs Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Jewelers of America Opens Applications for 2025 ScholarshipsThe deadline to apply for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship is June 12.
SurveysApr 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits Pandemic-Level Low Amid Tariff ConcernsWhat’s really worrying U.S. consumers isn’t the present situation; it’s what the economy is going to look like six months from now.
Events & AwardsApr 30, 2025
Instore Show Debuts New Name, Look, and FocusNow called The Instore Jewelry Show, it will include holiday-focused education, interactive workshops, and a window display contest.
SourcingApr 30, 2025
GemGuide Has a New Pricing Chart for Colombian EmeraldsIt includes pricing for unenhanced Colombian emeralds in the fine to extra fine range.
CollectionsApr 30, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Goes Deep-Sea Diving in New Blue BookThe “Sea of Wonder” collection features pieces inspired by the ocean, from its waves to flora and creatures like urchins and sea turtles.
AuctionsApr 29, 2025
‘Golconda Blue’ Diamond Pulled From AuctionThe 23-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, set to headline Christie’s May jewelry auction, was expected to sell for as much as $50 million.
IndependentsApr 29, 2025
Maryland Jeweler to Close After 36 YearsG.B. Heron Jewelers in Salisbury, Maryland, is set to close as its owner, Jeff Cassels, retires.
ColumnistsApr 29, 2025
Google Ads vs. Social Media Ads: Which Are More Effective?Emmanuel Raheb outlines the differences between the two platforms and posits that the most successful jewelers use both.
SourcingApr 29, 2025
Gemfields Mini Ruby Auction Achieves $7MThe miner said its April sale featured a mix of commercial-quality primary rubies and secondary rubies of varying quality.
CrimeApr 28, 2025
Customs Seizes Nearly 2,000 Pieces of Counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels JewelryU.S. customs agents in El Paso, Texas, intercepted the package, which would have been worth $9 million if the jewelry was genuine.
TrendsApr 28, 2025
Suzanne Kalan Launches Tech Ring Jacket CollectionHealth monitors become statement pieces when paired with the brand’s new collection of stackable diamond-studded bands.
Events & AwardsApr 28, 2025
JCK Industry Fund Announces 2025 Grant RecipientsTen organizations were selected this year.
IndependentsApr 28, 2025
John Atencio Appoints 2 to Wholesale TeamKim Carpenter and Sam Gevisenheit have joined the brand.
CollectionsApr 25, 2025
Sylvie Looks to Water in New Sculptural Bridal Collection“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.
FinancialsApr 25, 2025
Kering’s Jewelry Brands Persevere as Q1 Sales Sink 14%Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.
EditorsApr 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Deborah Meyers Experience’s ‘The Birds’ EarringsDesigner Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.
SourcingApr 25, 2025
De Beers Sales, Production Fall in Q1 Amid UncertaintyThe company said it expects sightholders to remain “cautious” with their purchasing due to all the unknowns around the U.S. tariffs.
Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
EditorsApr 24, 2025
Q&A: Wolf’s CEO Talks U.S. ExpansionSimon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.
