New York, NY – Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, and the GEM Awards Committee are proud to announce that Stephen Lussier of De Beers, will be the recipient of the GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement at the 20th annual GEM Awards taking place on Friday, January 14, 2022, at Cipriani 42^nd Street in New York City.   

The GEM Awards gala honors the outstanding achievements of individuals or companies whose work raises the visibility and status of fine jewelry and watches. Lussier was selected by the GEM Awards Committee to receive this prestigious 2022 GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement for his dedication to the diamond and jewelry industry over the course of his tenure.

“It is truly a pleasure to be able to celebrate the achievements of Stephen Lussier with a GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement. Stephen has done so much for the diamond business and, in-turn, for the jewelry industry as a whole. We look forward to bringing the industry together in total celebration this January as we honor Stephen,” says JA President & CEO David J. Bonaparte.

Stephen Lussier is Chairman of De Beers Jewellers and De Beers Forevermark as well as the Executive Vice-President, Brands & Consumer Markets, De Beers Group, and a member of De Beers Group’s Executive Committee. Lussier is the current Chairman of the Natural Diamond Council and a Board Director of the Responsible Jewellery Council. He joined De Beers in 1985. In 1995 he was appointed as a DTC (Diamond Trading Company) Director and joined the DTC Executive Committee in 2002. In 2005 he was appointed to De Beers Group’s Executive Committee with responsibility for External and Corporate Affairs; then in 2009 Stephen took on the role of Chief Executive Officer, Forevermark and Executive Vice President – Marketing, De Beers Group. In April 2019, Stephen stepped away from his role as CEO of Forevermark, to increase his focus on shaping De Beers Group’s strategy at the consumer level in his role as Executive Vice-President of Brands & Consumer Markets with accountability for all De Beers downstream activities. For over 40 years, Stephen Lussier has been at the heart of De Beers and diamond marketing worldwide. His achievements and accolades exemplify the defining characteristics of a GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement recipient.

In addition to the GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement, Jewelers of America will be announcing the other GEM Award categories and nominees in the coming weeks.

Sponsorships – like the GEM Awards Cornerstone sponsorships currently taken by Synchrony and CHANEL – provide brands the opportunity to align with GEM Awards, treat their guests to a special night of celebration and glamour, and network with the leading names in jewelry and fashion.

For details on the 20^th annual GEM Awards, to purchase tickets or to or to show your support for Stephen Lussier through sponsorships and the GEM Awards Journal, visit www.jewelers.org/gemawards.