New York, NY – Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, has announced the 19th Annual GEM Awards will be taking place on Friday, July 16, 2021 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York. GEM Awards, previously planned to take place on January 8, 2021, is the jewelry industry’s premier accolade gala that honors the achievements of individuals and companies whose work raises the visibility of fine jewelry and watches.

Randi Udell Alper, Vice President of London Jewelers, has been appointed as GEM Awards Chair. She replaces Olivier Stip of Chanel, who completed his term earlier this year. Mrs. Udell Alper will lead the 2021 GEM Awards Committee. The 2021 GEM Awards Committee Members are:  Sarin Bachmann, JCK & LUXURY - Reed Jewelry Group; David Bonaparte, Jewelers of America; David Bouffard, Signet Jewelers; Gannon Brousseau, Jewelry Group - Emerald Expositions; Tanya Dukes, Tanya Dukes; Dorit Engel, Chanel; Marion Fasel, The Adventurine; Michelle Graff, National Jeweler; Will Kahn, Will’s Notebook; Matthew Rosenheim, Tiny Jewel Box; and Steven Kaiser, Chairman Emeritus.

“I am honored and excited to lead the GEM Awards Committee during these unprecedented times. The GEM Awards Committee felt it was important to move GEM Awards to later in 2021 to properly celebrate the incredible talent in the jewelry industry. Our industry deserves to celebrate together, and we plan to deliver an event that is in keeping with the high standards that you have come to expect from GEM Awards,” says Randi Udell Alper.

GEM Awards will open a week of industry events. Jewelers of America’s National Convention is going to be held on July 18 and 19, 2021 in New York City.

“It is our hope that by moving GEM Awards to July, we will be able to kick off a week of long-awaited reunions and celebrations in New York. We plan to host GEM Awards in person, proving it is safe to do so,” says Jewelers of America’s Director of PR & Events Amanda Gizzi. “We look forward to bringing some red-carpet glamour back to our industry next summer.”

The GEM Awards Committee will begin seeking nominations for the 2021 GEM Awards nominees next month. For the complete list of the GEM Awards Committee or to learn more about the July 16, 2021 gala, visit http://gemawards.jewelers.org

About Jewelers of America: 
Jewelers of America (JA) is the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace. Jewelers of America's primary purpose is to improve consumer confidence in the jewelry industry through its leadership in public, government and industry affairs; by advocating professionalism, including high ethical, social and environmental standards; and by facilitating members' access to education. Visit www.jewelers.org for more information.

About GEM Awards:
Jewelers of America’s GEM Awards is the fine jewelry industry’s premier accolade gala, which recognizes the achievements of individuals and companies whose work raises the visibility and status of fine jewelry and watches. To learn more about GEM Awards, please visit gemawards.jewelers.org.