Jewelry Design
The GEM Award for Jewelry Design is given to an individual, not a brand, for excellence in jewelry design. Each honoree has an extraordinary design aesthetic and creates jewelry that shapes the future of design. Winner: Marla Aaron
Marla Aaron takes a functional maximalism approach to fine jewelry. What began in 2012 with the iconic recasting of the carabiner lock into precious metals quickly expanded into a universe of mechanism-inspired “hard-working” fine jewelry that is very fun to play with. Made by hand in small artisanal workshops in New York’s Diamond District, everything by Marla is more than the sum of its parts — rings creatively open and close, shapeshifting into necklaces, bracelets, and charms; earrings snap together and are infinitely buildable; diamonds are cut into cylindrical balls to roll around one's finger inspired by the mechanism of ball bearings. “Jewelry’s only job is to bring joy to as many people as possible” are the words Marla lives by. The brand’s playfully personal point of view has carved a unique place in the jewelry world with devout collectors of all ages and identities.
Marie Lichtenberg started her career as a fashion editor at the iconic French Elle magazine. Over 12 years, she meticulously crafted a formidable reputation and forged collaborations with numerous celebrated photographers.
In February 2019, Marie made a pivotal decision to channel her creative energies into her very own jewelry line. Drawing inspiration from her upbringing alongside a mother with a penchant for collecting antique jewelry, she delved deep into her personal history. This profound exploration served as the wellspring for her modern heirloom creations, meticulously designed in Saint Germain des Près. Enriched with narratives from distant lands. The result is a collection of exquisite, meticulously crafted jewels imbued with a profound sense of love and heritage.
In February 2019, Marie made a pivotal decision to channel her creative energies into her very own jewelry line. Drawing inspiration from her upbringing alongside a mother with a penchant for collecting antique jewelry, she delved deep into her personal history. This profound exploration served as the wellspring for her modern heirloom creations, meticulously designed in Saint Germain des Près. Enriched with narratives from distant lands. The result is a collection of exquisite, meticulously crafted jewels imbued with a profound sense of love and heritage.
Jean Prounis founded her eponymous brand in 2017 to create thoughtful jewelry with reverence to history. Inspired by her Greek heritage and by the visual language of her great-grandparents’ New York nightclub, the Versailles, Prounis’ designs are an ode to origins. Jean reimagines ancient artifacts, like those she discovered in her bibliophile grandfather’s book collection, as objects that are elegant, wearable, and enduring. Each piece is handwrought in a signature recycled 22-karat gold and finished with sustainably and responsibly sourced gemstones, diamonds, pearls, and corals. Shaped alongside expert craftspeople in Manhattan’s Jewelry District, Prounis’ museum-quality modern heirlooms preserve the integrity of handmade jewelry in New York City. Formed with purpose, Prounis objects accumulate life’s knicks and imprints over the years, becoming part of the wearer’s own legacy.