Events & AwardsMay 18, 2021
Registration Is Open for JA National ConventionEvents & AwardsMay 24, 2021
John Kennedy to Receive 2021 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement
He’s been with the Jewelers’ Security Alliance for nearly 30 years, dedicating himself to the safety of the industry.
Jewelers’ Security Alliance President John Kennedy will be honored with the Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement this summer.
New York—This year’s recipient of the Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement is none other than Jewelers’ Security Alliance President John Kennedy.
JA and the Gem Awards committee chose the longtime head of JSA as the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award honoree for his commitment to the health and safety of the industry, JA said.
An attorney by trade, Kennedy became president of JSA in January 1992.
Prior to that, he served as assistant commissioner and deputy general counsel of the New York City Department of Investigation and as assistant counsel of the New York State Commission of Investigation.
He’s the coauthor of JSA’s Manual of Jewelry Security and also has served as secretary of the 24 Karat Club of the City of New York since 2002.
Kennedy received the 2021 Stanley Schechter Award from the Jewelers Vigilance Committee earlier this year in recognition of “his tireless dedication, hard work and support of JVC’s mission to maintain ethics and integrity through legal compliance.”
Founded in 1883, JSA currently has 20,000 member locations.
The organization works closely with the FBI and police departments throughout the United States to help members avoid burglaries, robberies, and thefts.
“I have known John Kennedy for 23 years, and there is no one more deserving of receiving the Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement than him,” said JA President and CEO David J. Bonaparte.
“He has made a positive impact for retailers and manufacturers and continues to strive to make the industry a safe place for all. While security is John’s main focus, he has truly established himself as a key resource and an industry leader for others to rely on. John is a true Gem and is the essence of what makes our industry so special.”
Related stories will be right here …
As previously announced, the 19th annual Gem Awards will be virtual this year. It is scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 15.
The Gem Awards honors the outstanding achievements of individuals or companies whose work raises the visibility and status of fine jewelry and watches.
Registration is now open for the complimentary event.
In addition to honoring Kennedy and the other winners—whose names will be announced soon, JA said—the 2021 Gem Awards will pay tribute to the life and legacy of Elsa Peretti, who died in March at the age of 80, and the strength of the industry over the past year.
Prior to the presentation of the awards, event sponsors will treat guests to drinks in private digital “circles” for a personalized Gem Awards cocktail hour, allowing them to connect and network in the spirit of the event’s usual cocktail hour.
For details, to register, or to support John Kennedy through sponsorships and the Gem Awards Journal, visit GemAwards.Jewelers.org.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
