Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
Events & AwardsFeb 21, 2018
WJA Revamps Its Awards for Excellence
The Women’s Jewelry Association is simplifying the evening by giving out a total of only four awards.
The recipients of the WJA’s first Visionary Awards are, from left to right, Mercedes Abramo, Caryl Capeci and Nadja Swarovski. Receiving the fourth Visionary Award is De Beers/UN Women.
New York--The Women’s Jewelry Association announced Tuesday that it is revamping the format of its annual Awards for Excellence gala.
Instead of handing out awards in more than a dozen separate categories (e.g., Design, Editorial, Business Services, etc.) the WJA is simplifying the program with the presentation of four Visionary Awards.
“The WJA board voted to introduce its Visionary Awards as a way to mark our anniversary and to recognize individuals and organizations making a difference in the cause of women’s equality,” new WJA board President Jenny Luker said in a press release. “Our four awards will go to women who are the first to hold their high positions of leadership in their companies, and to organizations that are providing support and mentorship to women.”
The 2018 honorees are: Mercedes Abramo, president and CEO of Cartier, North America; Caryl Capeci, president of Hearts On Fire; and Nadja Swarovski, the first female member of the executive board of Swarovski, as well as De Beers Group/UN Women, the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality.
Abramo started her career with Cartier in 2008 as director of the flagship Fifth Avenue mansion. She became president and CEO of Cartier North America in 2014. In addition, she is on the board of Jewelers of America and the advisory board of the Luxury Education Foundation, a not-for-profit that focuses on educational programs for design and business students. Abramo is also a key advocate for the Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards, an international business plan competition for women entrepreneurs.
Capeci began her career working on the De Beers account at N.W. Ayer and J. Walter Thompson. She joined Hearts On Fire in 2007 as vice president of marketing and was promoted to chief marketing officer before being named president of the company in 2015. She serves on the boards of Jewelers for Children and the Diamond Empowerment Fund, and is a member of the 24 Karat Club of the City of New York.
Swarovski is the first female board member of the crystal company her great-great-grandfather, Daniel Swarovski, started in Austria in 1895.
She leads the company’s global branding and communications and drives “conscious luxury” through the Atelier Swarovski brand, which created a charity bracelet with UN Women in 2016. She also oversees the company’s sustainability agenda and chairs the Swarovski Foundation, both of which promote women’s empowerment. Swarovski is an ambassador
for Women for Women International and under her leadership, her company has signed on to the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles and the UN Global Compact.
The fourth Visionary Award is being given jointly to De Beers and UN Women in recognition of the three-year partnership De Beers inked with UN Women last year to promote the advancement of women within De Beers in the countries where it produces diamonds and in its marketing.
Elizabeth Nyamayaro, the head of UN Women’s “HeForShe” movement, and De Beers’ David Prager will accept the award on behalf of both organizations.
The WJA said it will wait to receive feedback from this year’s Awards for Excellence before determining the format for the awards ceremony in 2019 and beyond.
The 2018 Awards for Excellence will mark the WJA’s 35th year in the industry. The awards are scheduled to take place Monday, July 16 at Pier 60 at the Chelsea Piers in New York.
The evening will, as usual, include a silent auction to raise money for scholarships and grants the WJA distributes to women working in or entering the jewelry industry.
Gala sponsorships are available now while tickets will go on sale in the near future. For more information, email WJA Executive Director Bernadette McGovern Mack at bernadette@womensjewelryassociation.com.
The fourth Visionary Award is being given jointly to De Beers and UN Women in recognition of the three-year partnership De Beers inked with UN Women last year to promote the advancement of women within De Beers in the countries where it produces diamonds and in its marketing.
Elizabeth Nyamayaro, the head of UN Women’s “HeForShe” movement, and De Beers’ David Prager will accept the award on behalf of both organizations.
The WJA said it will wait to receive feedback from this year’s Awards for Excellence before determining the format for the awards ceremony in 2019 and beyond.
The 2018 Awards for Excellence will mark the WJA’s 35th year in the industry. The awards are scheduled to take place Monday, July 16 at Pier 60 at the Chelsea Piers in New York.
The evening will, as usual, include a silent auction to raise money for scholarships and grants the WJA distributes to women working in or entering the jewelry industry.
Gala sponsorships are available now while tickets will go on sale in the near future. For more information, email WJA Executive Director Bernadette McGovern Mack at bernadette@womensjewelryassociation.com.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
AuctionsMay 15, 2025
'The Mediterranean Blue' Diamond Sells for $21M at Sotheby’sA private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for SummerThe designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.
Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With DisabilitiesAround 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past DecadeAs a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
