WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons HomeThe new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.
Events & AwardsOct 09, 2020
For the Industry, It Will Be a Quiet January in New York
Gem Awards was moved to July, while the 24 Karat Club has canceled its annual banquet, and JSA and JVC are taking their events virtual.
This week’s announcement that the Gem Awards is moving to July means none of the usual industry event will take place in New York in January 2021. Pictured here is a shot from the 2020 Gem Awards, where Ed Bridge (center) was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. (Photo credit: Benjamin Lozovsky/BFA.com)
New York—It will be a quiet January in New York City for the jewelry industry, with all the usual start-of-the-year galas and luncheons canceled, postponed or happening online only in 2021.
Earlier this week, Jewelers of America said it was moving the 2021 Gem Awards from January to July in the hopes people will be able to safely gather indoors in large numbers by the summer.
The announcement followed news from the 24 Karat Club of New York City and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee about the status of their annual January events.
Early last month, the 24 Karat Club announced that for only the third time in its 118-year history, it was canceling its annual banquet because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The only other cancelations came during times of war, in 1918 and 1943.
Chairman Jeffrey Fischer said while the club was “incredibly disappointed” to have to cancel, it did so out of respect for the health and safety of members and guests.
“The club’s board looked at a variety of options, including a scaled-back event, but it was clear that canceling it altogether was the only responsible choice,” he said.
The 24 Karat Club also canceled its spring and summer events, including the Summer Celebration and Golf Outing, a first for the club, and will be holding its fall membership meetings virtually, also a first.
The Jewelers Vigilance Committee said in late August it was planning on a virtual event to replace its annual in-person luncheon in January.
The event is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, and will include the announcement of several new initiatives designed to support the industry.
“The annual event provides the opportunity for JVC to raise funds for the important industry initiatives we bring to our members and help continue our mission of encouraging ethics and integrity within our industry,” President and CEO Tiffany Stevens said.
“We’re excited to offer an event that will allow attendees to join together for an afternoon of celebration and networking as well as to honor someone deserving from our industry with our Stanley Schechter award.”
The JVC said registration details are forthcoming.
In addition, Jewelers’ Security Alliance President John J. Kennedy confirmed to National Jeweler his organization’s annual luncheon also will be virtual in 2021.
The usual awards will be presented—for law enforcement and for industry service—and there also will be one or more brief presentations on
the state of crime against the industry.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US OpenThe Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary EditionThe three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a WrapWrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.
Weekly QuizAug 22, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry EmpireThree C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 StoresThe retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Pops Up at 2025 US OpenThe pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.
IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes OffThe New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”
CrimeAug 20, 2025
Another CA Jewelry Store Rammed With Car, RobbedThe latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster RestorationThe new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner LucapaThe investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry RetailSmith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ EarringsThe counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally RecognizedThe MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division ManagerCasio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on PointOriginally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
