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.”
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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New PresidentAlex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat RubyThe ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft RecoveredThe two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More JewelryThe time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic DesignFrom striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid TurnaroundThe jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.
WatchesMar 24, 2025
Sotheby's Now Offers Watch Repair ServicesThe auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.
FinancialsMar 21, 2025
Swarovski Says Its Lab-Grown Diamond Sales Doubled in 2024The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.
