New York, NY – Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, announces the opening of the nomination period for the 24th annual GEM Awards that will take place on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York.
The GEM Awards Committee is accepting self-nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation. Continuing the format from recent years, self-nominations provide individuals and brands with a platform to present their full body of work and achievements directly to the committee.
Nominations will be accepted through July 30, 2025. The GEM Awards Committee will review all submissions and select final nominees and honorees in each category. These will be publicly announced prior to the awards ceremony and judged by a panel of industry experts. An independent firm tabulates the results, which remain confidential until the live reveal during the GEM Awards.
“The self-nomination process allows designers, editors, and retailers to share their unique accomplishments from the past year in their own voice,” says Amanda Gizzi, Jewelers of America’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs. “We look forward to reviewing every compelling submission for the 24th annual GEM Awards.”
Tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and journal advertisements for the 2026 GEM Awards are now available. This is a premier opportunity to align your brand with excellence in the jewelry and watch industry and to celebrate the year's most outstanding contributors.
The GEM Awards are the industry's most prestigious gala event, honoring individuals and companies whose work elevates the visibility and artistry of fine jewelry and timepieces. Receiving a GEM Award represents the highest standard of excellence within the field.
The 2026 GEM Awards Committee Chair is Marion Fasel, The Adventurine. The Committee is comprised of Sarin Bachmann, JCK & LUXURY; David Bonaparte, Jewelers of America; Sam Broekema, Natural Diamond Council; Gannon Brousseau, COUTURE; Annie Doresca, Black in Jewelry Coalition; Tanya Dukes; Dorit Engel, CHANEL; Jennifer Gandia, Greenwich St. Jewelers; Michelle Graff, National Jeweler; Lauren Harwell Godfrey, Sue Hopeman, Robbins Brothers Jewelers; Harwell Godfrey; Sally Morrison, De Beers Group; Rebecca Moskal, COMMUNIQUÉ; and Jill Newman.
For nomination guidelines, tickets, sponsorship packages, and advertising opportunities, visit: https://gemawards.jewelers.org/.
