New York, NY – Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, and the GEM Awards Committee announces the formation of the David Yurman GEM Awards Grant, a $50,000 Grant Program that will provide funding and mentorship opportunities for an emerging jewelry designer. Applications for the Grant will be open from August 4, 2025 through October 7, 2025. The Grant Recipient will be announced at the 24th annual GEM Awards on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York.
“The GEM Awards Committee is thrilled to be teaming up with David Yurman, one of the most celebrated American jewelers in history, to nurture and accelerate the career of an emerging designer. Everyone involved in creating this Grant passionately believes supporting emerging talent is a great path to strengthening our jewelry community in the future. We are all looking forward to the selection process and the presentation of the David Yurman GEM Awards Grant, which promises to add another memorable moment to the always moving and emotional GEM Awards ceremony,” says Marion Fasel, GEM Awards Chair.
The David Yurman GEM Awards Grant was created in partnership with Jewelers of America and David Yurman to support and foster an emerging fine jewelry designer who has been in business for at least three years and shows exceptional promise. The selected Grant Recipient will receive a one-time financial award of $50,000 and mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman, as well as consultative meetings with other industry executives.
To qualify as the Grant Recipient, the entrant must: demonstrate unique talent in fine jewelry design and a solid business plan for expansion; have operated their own jewelry design company for at least three years; and be based and manufacture in the United States of America.
David Yurman GEM Awards Grant Selection Committee will review all applications and select five finalists. Finalists will be notified in December. The finalists will deliver in-person presentations to the David Yurman GEM Awards Grant Selection Committee. Following the final presentations, the Selection Committee will determine the Grant Recipient. The Grant Recipient will be publicly announced at the GEM Awards on March 13, 2026.
GEM Awards is the industry's most prestigious gala event, honoring individuals and companies whose work elevates the visibility and artistry of fine jewelry and timepieces. For more information on GEM Awards and the David Yurman GEM Awards Grant, visit https://gemawards.jewelers.org/.
