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.
Events & AwardsSep 20, 2018
Broken English, Fernando Jorge Among Gem Award Nominees
National Jeweler’s own Brecken Branstrator also received a nod for her work covering the colored gemstone industry.
New York—Jewelers of America has announced the nominees for the 2019 Gem Awards, the annual upscale gala that recognizes top names in jewelry design, journalism and retail.
This year, JA will present awards in three categories: mainstays Jewelry Design and Media Excellence, and Retail Excellence, a bit of a departure from the third category last year, which was Retail Innovation.
The winners in each category will be announced live during the Gem Awards ceremony, scheduled for Friday, Jan. 11, 2019, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York.
And the nominees are …
Jewelry Design
Fernando Jorge. Also a native of Brazil, the now U.K.-based Jorge takes inspiration from the laidback attitude and effortless sensuality of his home country. He uses locally sourced gemstones and minerals detailed with his signature finish: unique cuts and gold snake chain. Jorge holds a master’s degree in jewelry design from Central Saint Martins in London and has won numerous awards since launching his eponymous collection in 2010.
Silvia Furmanovich. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, to a family of goldsmiths who created adornments for the Vatican, Furmanovich started with an appointment-only business in 1998. She opened her first store in São Paulo in 2009. Her pieces are handmade by artisans in her native Brazil, and the daring designs combine her attention to detail with her passions for the natural world, ancient cultures and unusual materials, such as oxidized copper, shells or woven bamboo.
Valérie Messika. Messika is the daughter of a diamantaire who learned the diamond trade from the inside out while working under her father. In 2005, she founded her own brand, Messika, and has been injecting classic diamond designs with a newfound cool factor ever since. She opened a flagship store in Paris in 2013 and a high jewelry atelier in the city two years later. Messika is the only woman in France to head her own independent jewelry maison.
Media Excellence
Brecken Branstrator. Branstrator started with National Jeweler as an associate editor in 2013 and was promoted to senior editor in 2016. A North Carolina native and a graduate of University of North Carolina’s prestigious journalism school, Branstrator has distinguished herself as one of the top reporters covering the colored gemstone market today. She travels the world to bring back stories on responsible sourcing, mining, pricing and trends.
Will Kahn. Even after over a decade of jewelry editing and styling, Town & Country’s Kahn is fueled by his discovery of new designers and jewels. As the magazine’s market and accessories editor, he oversees the shopping pages, styles jewelry stories and dresses the occasional celebrity. And his #willsnotebook posts on Instagram are among the most unique to hit the jewelry social media world, bringing his passion for fine jewelry to a new audience.
Michael Thompson. An expert on the business of watches, Thompson has been covering the watch and jewelry industry since the late 1980s, when he was hired as senior editor at JCK magazine and then watch editor at Professional Jeweler. Since 2005, he has been editor-in-chief of International Watch. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Hiram College and holds a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University.
Retail Excellence
Broken English. Broken English offers a thoughtfully curated mix of contemporary and vintage jewelry in chic, intimate surroundings. Owner Laura Freedman opened her first store in Los Angeles in 2006 before expanding to New York City’s SoHo neighborhood in 2014 and to Newport Beach, California in 2017. All three stores have this in common: a commitment to exceptional customer service and to supporting the artistry and craftsmanship of the world’s leading designers.
Cellini Jewelers. New York independent Cellini Jewelers first opened its doors at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in 1977. Today, the Cellini flagship store on Park Avenue offers everything from custom treasures to timeless designs from designers such as Carrera y Carrera, Fabergé, Sutra and Wellendorff, while its horology collection includes rare timepieces from some of the world’s most exclusive and innovative watchmakers, including De Bethune, Greubel Forsey, MB&F and Ressence.
Threads. Threads (ThreadsStyling.com) is influencing a highly engaged global audience of high-net-worth millennials through innovative editorial content on Instagram, Snapchat and other social media platforms. Sales and styling advice are made using messaging platforms while orders are facilitated directly through mobile chat platforms. According to the company, there are no limits to the products and service they can provide, as it is not bound by inventory constraints.
In addition to awards in these three categories, JA will present the 2019 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement to Stewart Wicht, who is retiring at the end of the year as head of Rolex Watch U.S.A. Inc.
For more information about the Gem Awards, visit Jewelers.org/GemAwards.
National Jeweler is a for-profit subsidiary of Jewelers of America, which purchased the publication in 2015. The two organizations act independently of each other.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
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.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.
AuctionsMay 06, 2025
Harwell Godfrey Reimagines 10-Carat Blue Diamond for Met Gala-Ready BroochDesigner Lauren Harwell Godfrey made the piece as an homage to the 2025 gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens New StoreLocated in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Gunderson’s Jewelers to Be Featured on ‘World’s Greatest’ TV SeriesThe episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.
IndependentsMay 05, 2025
Zadok Jewelers Opens Store in AustinThe Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.
AuctionsMay 05, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Heads to AuctionThe turquoise and diamond tiara hasn’t been on the market since it was purchased by Lord Astor in 1930.
SourcingMay 05, 2025
Crater of Diamonds Yields 4-Carat Brown Diamond“The Duke Diamond” is the largest diamond registered at the Arkansas park so far this year.
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.
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.
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.
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.
