IndependentsMar 06, 2025
Wixon Jewelers to Close After 37 YearsFirst-generation jewelers Dan and Hope Wixon are retiring and will close their Minneapolis-area jewelry store in May.
Events & AwardsJun 03, 2019
Couture Names 15 Brands Winners at Design Awards
Plus, why this year’s Cindy Edelstein Award came as such a big surprise.
Japanese brand Kataoka won the Best in Diamonds Above $20,000 category with this ring at the 2019 Couture Design Awards.
Las Vegas—The annual Couture Design Awards are known for motivating designers to produce some of the jewelry trade show’s most spectacular pieces, and also for delivering a few surprises.
This year’s edition of the awards, held Saturday at the Encore Ballroom, was no exception.
The biggest surprise of the evening came at the very end—the awarding of the Cindy Edelstein Award to veteran industry publicist Michelle Orman, president of Last Word Communication, which handles public relations for the Couture and JA New York shows, and myriad other jewelry projects.
A beloved friend to brands, retailers and editors, Orman is known for going above and beyond to guide and support industry players, as individuals like Buddha Mama’s Nancy and Dakota Badia and Leyla Torre; designer Victor Velyan; The EAB Project’s Elizabeth Anne Bonanno; and Couture Show Director Gannon Brousseau explained in a video tribute.
Brousseau also noted that the most difficult part of deciding to award Orman the honor was to keep it a secret from the heavily involved, and all-knowing, publicist. (In the months leading up to the show, she had been told—as was the audience for the greater part of the evening—that Couture would not be giving out the Cindy Edelstein Award this year.)
The 2019 edition of the awards also ushered in the inaugural “WTF Award?!,” given to the biggest jewelry design fail, as submitted by the designers themselves.
Commemorated with a special medallion in which each winner’s name will be engraved, the first honor went to Stephen Webster for this necklace.
Winners for design successes included Jade Trau, Kataoka and Adam Foster Jewelry. See the full roster of winners and their work below.
Best in Debuting at Couture: Ara Vartanian
Best in Bridal: Jade Trau
Best in Haute Couture: Mike Joseph
Best in Innovative: Silvia Furmanovich
Best in Men’s: Jan Leslie
Best in Colored Gemstones Above $20,000: Adam Foster Jewelry
Best in Diamonds Above $20,000: Kataoka
Best in Pearls: Karen Suen
Best in Platinum: Jorg Heinz
Best in Silver: Syna
Best in Colored Gemstones Below $20,000: Noor Fares
Best in Diamonds Below $20,000: Baentelli
Best in Gold: Nikos Koulis
Editor’s Choice: Vendorafa (voted on by editors at Couture, originally entered in the Best in Diamonds Below $20,000 category)
People’s Choice: Gismondi 1754 (voted on by the audience via text at the awards, originally entered in Haute Couture category)
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsMar 06, 2025
Guzema, 3.1 Phillip Lim Collab on New ‘Snake’ DesignsThe limited-edition collection, a nod to the Year of the Snake, is Ukrainian brand Guzema’s first partnership with a U.S. brand.
IndependentsMar 06, 2025
Stephen Barnes Is the New Owner of IJOAfter more than 50 years, Jeff Roberts is handing over ownership of the organization to IJO President Stephen Barnes.
Brought to you by
Have a Plan for EmergenciesEmergencies can happen anytime, anywhere , and Jewelers of America has what you need to be prepared for it all.
MajorsMar 05, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Store to Close, Confirms Saks GlobalThe 111-year-old store will close following a dispute among Saks Global, a landlord, and the City of Dallas over a small piece of land.
Weekly QuizFeb 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMar 05, 2025
Sotheby's To Auction 51 ‘Alien’ WatchesThe upcoming “Area_51” watch sale is a collaboration with heist-out, featuring vintage and modern timepieces with futuristic designs.
MajorsMar 05, 2025
Jewelers of America Unveils 3-Year Strategic Plan The trade organization, which will mark 120 years of service next year, has a refined focus and a new mission statement.
Brought to you by
A Diamond ETF is the Way to Reinvigorate Natural Diamond SalesThe jewelry industry faces challenges from lab-grown diamonds. A diamond ETF can restore natural diamonds' value and drive investor demand.
CrimeMar 04, 2025
4 Suspects Arrested in Fatal Armed Robbery of California Jewelry Store Uc Thí Vo, who co-owned Kim Tin Jewelry in Sacramento with her husband of 40 years, was killed during the November 2024 robbery.
CrimeMar 04, 2025
NYC Diamond Dealer Pleads Guilty to Lab-Grown Diamond SwapsManashe Sezanayev pleaded guilty to grand larceny and is expected to receive five years’ probation when he’s sentenced in May.
TrendsMar 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Peaceful and Powerful AquamarineThe March birthstone pairs perfectly with hues of Mocha Mousse, Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2025.
ColumnistsMar 04, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Online Events to Supercharge Sales Emmanuel Raheb shares strategies to prepare for, publicize, and engage the audience during events on platforms like TikTok and Zoom.
EditorsMar 03, 2025
Drop Necklaces, Archival Pieces Take Over at the 2025 OscarsFrom Doja Cat to Mikey Madison and Selena Gomez, many of this year’s Academy Awards attendees donned drop necklaces.
Policies & IssuesMar 03, 2025
Customs Indefinitely Postpones Requirement to Disclose Country of MiningOriginally slated to take effect in April, official U.S. Customs and Border Protection documents now show the implementation date as “TBD.”
SurveysMar 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Fell in February Amid Concerns About the FutureThe recent jump in the prices of household staples, like eggs, and the potential impact of tariffs worried consumers.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2025
AGA Now Accepting Applications for Its Gemological Education Scholarship The application period for the program is now open for aspiring gemologists around the world.
CollectionsFeb 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Ironhorse Quillwork EarringsThe work of Indigenous designer Joe Big Mountain, these earrings are similar to the pair Lily Gladstone just wore to the SAG Awards.
AuctionsFeb 28, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring With Ties to Witch Trial Judge Up for Auction A metal detectorist uncovered the ring created in memory of Sir Richard Rainsford, who presided over some of England’s last witch trials.
Recorded WebinarsFeb 28, 2025
Watch: 2025 Jewelry Trends ForecastFine jewelry consultant and publicist Francesca Simons joins Amanda Gizzi and Natalie Francisco to discuss the trends set to rise this year.
TrendsFeb 27, 2025
Model Winnie Harlow Says ‘Yes’ to 3-Stone Engagement RingHarlow’s partner, NBA player Kyle Kuzma, worked with Vobara to design the ring, which features oval and pear-shaped diamonds.
MajorsFeb 27, 2025
Winona Ryder, Iman Star in New Pandora CampaignThe Danish jeweler released the next chapter of its “Be Love” campaign, which celebrates love in all its forms.
SourcingFeb 27, 2025
Gemfields Holds Mini Auction for Higher-Quality EmeraldsThe 13 lots on offer were comprised of material that previously went unsold at the miner’s November auction.
Events & AwardsFeb 27, 2025
JA to Host Workshop During Alabama Jewelers Association ConventionThe learning workshop and the convention are both scheduled to take place April 26 and 27 in Montgomery, Alabama.
Policies & IssuesFeb 26, 2025
EU Once Again Pushes Back Deadline on Diamond Traceability The EU, like the U.S., also now will require diamond importers to provide information about where exactly the diamonds were mined.
SourcingFeb 26, 2025
De Beers, Botswana Make New Diamond Sales Deal OfficialThe formal signing of the agreement comes nearly two years after De Beers and Botswana initially announced they had reached a new deal.
Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2025
JFC Names 2025 ‘Facets’ HonoreesThe charity will celebrate Pandora CEO Alexander Lacik and Brilliant Earth CEO Beth Gerstein at its annual event in Las Vegas.
ColumnistsFeb 25, 2025
Peter Smith: Here’s What I Think Retailers need to have the right merchandise, marketing, and people in place to stay on top in a sea of uncertainty, Peter Smith writes.
