Events & AwardsApr 21, 2021
Meet the 3 Recipients of the Beyoncé x Lorraine Schwartz GIA ScholarshipEvents & AwardsJul 19, 2021
Even Online, Gem Awards Bring the Glamour
The industry dressed up for a virtual event honoring an image architect, security champion, agents for change, and a late, great designer.
Image architect Law Roach, left, accepted the Gem Award for Jewelry Style at Thursday night’s virtual event, while Jewelers Security Alliance President John Kennedy was presented with the Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement.
New York—It wasn’t a freezing Friday night in January at Cipriani 42nd Street, but it worked.
The 19th annual Gem Awards took place online Thursday night, with attendees watching pre-recorded speeches from the evening’s two award recipients—Jewelers Security Alliance President John J. Kennedy, the recipient of this year’s Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement, and image architect Law Roach, who took home the Gem Award for Jewelry Style.
Kennedy said he views the award not just as a personal honor, but also as a symbol of how the entire jewelry industry has come together to keep each other safe over the course of his career.
“When it comes to security, jewelers are not competitors,” he said. “We are all in this together.”
The year he joined the jewelry industry, 1992, a total of 37 jewelers were killed on the job.
Kennedy made it one of his career goals to bring that number down to zero.
Gradually, the number of industry homicides dropped into the 20s, then into the teens and, then, slipped down into the single digits.
In 2019, the number of jewelers killed on the job was zero.
While Kennedy said he recognizes it won’t always stay at zero, he takes great satisfaction in thinking about all the lives members of the industry have saved by working together.
“It’s a great achievement for a trade organization, and an industry, to make such a claim,” he said.
The 19th annual Gem Awards took place online Thursday night, with attendees watching pre-recorded speeches from the evening’s two award recipients—Jewelers Security Alliance President John J. Kennedy, the recipient of this year’s Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement, and image architect Law Roach, who took home the Gem Award for Jewelry Style.
Kennedy said he views the award not just as a personal honor, but also as a symbol of how the entire jewelry industry has come together to keep each other safe over the course of his career.
“When it comes to security, jewelers are not competitors,” he said. “We are all in this together.”
The year he joined the jewelry industry, 1992, a total of 37 jewelers were killed on the job.
Kennedy made it one of his career goals to bring that number down to zero.
Gradually, the number of industry homicides dropped into the 20s, then into the teens and, then, slipped down into the single digits.
In 2019, the number of jewelers killed on the job was zero.
While Kennedy said he recognizes it won’t always stay at zero, he takes great satisfaction in thinking about all the lives members of the industry have saved by working together.
“It’s a great achievement for a trade organization, and an industry, to make such a claim,” he said.
A screen shot of Law Roach, outfitted in Bulgari, accepting the Gem Award for Jewelry Style at Thursday night’s virtual event
In accepting his award, John Kennedy gave a speech that was pre-recorded at Cipriani 42nd Street, where the Gem Awards normally take place.
Jewelers of America’s Director of PR & Events Amanda Gizzi, left, and Gem Awards Chair Randi Udell Alper hosted the virtual event, also pre-recording their segments at Cipriani.
Roach, the Gem Award for Jewelry Style recipient, is the architect behind many of the most recent standout moments on the red carpet, and was just named “Stylist of the Year” by The Hollywood Reporter.
Remember Anya Taylor-Joy at the Golden Globes? That was Roach.
Zendaya channeling Beyoncé at the BET Awards? That was Roach too.
In accepting the Gem Award, Roach, a native of the Southside of Chicago who got his start running vintage clothing stores in New York and Chicago, said he considers jewelry to be the “cherry on top” of any outfit.
“Right after you zip the dress, it completes the look and it makes people feel even more beautiful.”
He said receiving an award from Jewelers of America was particularly special because jewelry means a lot to him.
“It’s very aspirational,” Roach said. “It’s that thing you’re able to obtain when you work hard.”
The virtual event also featured two tributes.
The first was for the members of the industry who stepped up to advocate for increased diversity and equity in fine jewelry in the midst of the racial reckoning in 2020, as well as those individuals and companies that donated time and money to help those impacted by COVID-19.
The second was for the late Elsa Peretti, the innovative and game-changing jewelry designer who died in March at the age of 80.
Peretti was remembered as a “shy and humble human being” who was passionate and driven, and gave to the world not only through her talent as a jewelry designer but also through her charity.
The Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation focuses on giving to projects that work to defend human rights—particularly women’s and children’s rights—combat poverty, and conserve the environment.
Elsa created the charity in 2000, naming it after herself and her father Ferdinando, who died in 1977.
Over the years, the foundation has given €16 million to the various causes its supports.
The Gem Awards traditionally take place in January but was delayed because of COVID-19 concerns. The committee eventually opted to make this year’s event online only.
Plans call for the Gem Awards—which will mark its 20th anniversary next year—to return to Cipriani on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
MajorsNov 10, 2025
Jewelers Focus on Love, Joy In 2025 Holiday Campaigns Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Pandora have launched holiday campaigns depicting their jewelry as symbols of affection and happiness.
SurveysNov 10, 2025
5 Things Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearThe National Retail Federation is bullish on the holidays, forecasting retail sales to exceed $1 trillion this year.
AuctionsNov 10, 2025
300+ Colored Diamonds Up for Auction at Christie’sLate collector Eddy Elzas assembled “The Rainbow Collection,” which is offered as a single lot and estimated to fetch up to $3 million.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
Weekly QuizNov 06, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America Aligns New Mission to Create Meaningful Impact for MembersFrom educational programs, advocacy, and recent MJSA affiliation, Jewelers of America drives progress that elevates businesses of all sizes.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food RescueAll proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Cornell’s Jewelers Names New PresidentCourtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
De Beers’ Production, Sales Increase in Q3 De Beers also announced more changes in its upper ranks ahead of parent company Anglo American’s pending sale of the company.
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.
AuctionsNov 05, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Designer Makes Her Auction DebutKindred Lubeck of Artifex has three rings she designed with Anup Jogani in Sotheby’s upcoming Gem Drop sale.
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Pandora Posts Modest Q3 Sales Growth Amid ‘Weak’ Consumer Sentiment The company focused on marketing in the third quarter and introduced two new charm collections, “Pandora Talisman” and “Pandora Minis.”
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Climb 10%The jewelry retailer raised its full-year guidance, with CFO Jeff Kuo describing the company as “very well positioned” for the holidays.
Policies & IssuesNov 04, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case WednesdayAhead of the hearing, two industry organizations co-signed an amicus brief urging the court to declare Trump’s tariffs unlawful.
MajorsNov 04, 2025
Danny Clark to Become Stuller CEO, Succeeding Matt StullerStuller COO Belit Myers will take on the additional role of president, with all changes effective at the start of 2026.
ColumnistsNov 04, 2025
Peter Smith: What Do Birds Have to Do With the Price of Gold? Smith cautions retailers against expending too much energy on things they can’t control, like the rising price of gold.
TrendsNov 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Fall Colors for November BirthdaysCitrine and topaz are birthstones fit for fall as the leaves change color and the holiday season approaches.
IndependentsNov 04, 2025
Weston Jewelers Heads to Fort LauderdaleThe family-owned jeweler will open its fourth store in Florida in late 2027.
CrimeNov 03, 2025
Men Dressed as Construction Workers Burglarize Jeweler’s Home The NYPD is looking for three men who stole a safe and jewelry valued at $3.2 million from the home of a jeweler in Jamaica Hills, Queens.
MajorsNov 03, 2025
Matthew Rosenheim Takes Over as JA Board ChairThe trade organization also announced its executive committee and five new directors.
CollectionsNov 03, 2025
Muse’s ‘Have a Heart’ Collab Returns, Now With DDGThe “Have a Heart x Diamonds Do Good” collection is championed by model and humanitarian Flaviana Matata and will benefit her foundation.
AuctionsNov 03, 2025
Kashmir Sapphire Ring Tops Christie's Online AuctionThe ring, set with a nearly 17-carat Kashmir cabochon sapphire, sold for $1 million.
TrendsOct 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Spinner Fit for ‘Frankenstein’This “Mother Father” spinner necklace from Heavenly Vices Fine Jewelry draws inspiration from Victorian Era jewelry.
CrimeOct 31, 2025
5 More Arrested in Louvre Heist, Jewelry Still Missing The suspects were rounded up in Paris and its suburbs on Wednesday night, but none of the stolen jewels were recovered with them.
