New York, NY – Jewelers of America, the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, held their 15th annual GEM Awards on Friday, January 13, 2017, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York. Jim Rosenheim receives Lifetime Achievement and Grace Fuller, Kay® Jewelers,
Lucia Silvestri for BVLGARI and Patek Philippe win.
The winners in the categories of Jewelry Design, Marketing & Communications, Media Excellence and Watch Excellence were revealed live to an audience of 500 of the watch and jewelry industry’s elite, celebrities and press. Jim Rosenheim, chairman of Tiny Jewel Box in Washington, D.C., was the recipient of the 2017 GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Jewelry designer Stephen Webster hosted the star-studded gala, including celebrity guests: actor Cuba Gooding Jr., models Kim Alexis and Jess Hart, Desi Lydic of the “Daily Show,” former “Bachelor” contestant Olivia Caridi, and Bon Jovi’s David Bryan. Webster captivated the audience with his British humor and charismatic charm, kicking off the evening by saying: “Ladies and gentlemen, of the most noble of industries, it gives me great pleasure to present to you tonight, the fifteenth annual Gem awards, recognizing uncompromising excellence in the jewelry industry. For all of those out there wondering what I’m doing up here, we are most definitely on the same page with that one.”
Lucia Silvestri, Jewellery Creative Director of BVLGARI, won the GEM Award for Jewelry Design. The other nominees in the Jewelry Design category were Suzanne Kalan of Suzanne Kalan and Arun Bohra of Arunashi. The award was presented by 2016 GEM Award Winner, Temple St. Clair.
Kay Jewelers took home the GEM Award for Marketing & Communications. The award was accepted by George Murray, Chief Merchandising & Marketing Officer. The other nominees were Hearts On Fire® and Monica Rich Kosann. The award was presented by Danny Seo of “Naturally Danny” on NBC.
The GEM Award for Media Excellence was given to Grace Fuller, Jewelry Editor of W magazine. Rob Bates, News Director of JCK and the 2016 GEM Award for Media Excellence winner, presented the award. The other Media Excellence nominees were Amanda Alagem and Stephen Watson.
Patek Philippe received the GEM Award for Watch Excellence. The award was presented by GEM Award Winner Roberta Naas, founder of atimelyperspective.com. The other nominees for Watch Design were A. Lange & Söhne and Jaeger-LeCoultre.
Jim Rosenheim, chairman of Tiny Jewel Box in Washington D.C., was honored with the GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement for a career’s worth of contributions to the fine jewelry and watch industry. In his acceptance speech, he stated how his family business was founded on the simple motto: “If it’s not special, it’s not here.” Jeff Feero, owner of Alex Sepkus, presented Jim with his award after a touching tribute ending with: “There are few other people in the world like Jim . . . Jim shines. His integrity, generosity, and penchant for treating artists and vendors like a loving family. I am proud to be part of his family.”
Sponsors of GEM Awards included: Cornerstone Sponsor – Synchrony Financial; Red Carpet Sponsor – COUTURE; Cocktail Hour Reception Sponsors – D.B.S. Diamonds and Rio Diamond; Premier Sponsors – Signet Jewelers and Atelier Swarovski; Patron Sponsors – CHANEL, Citizen and David Yurman; Benefactor Sponsors – Hearts On Fire, Mikimoto, Movado Group Inc. and Tiffany & Co; Wi-Fi Sponsor – AT&T.
High Resolution Photos Available at:
https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/SZiUP/YWdpenppQGpld2VsZXJzLm9yZw
Photo Credits: Zach Hilty/BFA.com
Lucia Silvestri for BVLGARI and Patek Philippe win.
The winners in the categories of Jewelry Design, Marketing & Communications, Media Excellence and Watch Excellence were revealed live to an audience of 500 of the watch and jewelry industry’s elite, celebrities and press. Jim Rosenheim, chairman of Tiny Jewel Box in Washington, D.C., was the recipient of the 2017 GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Jewelry designer Stephen Webster hosted the star-studded gala, including celebrity guests: actor Cuba Gooding Jr., models Kim Alexis and Jess Hart, Desi Lydic of the “Daily Show,” former “Bachelor” contestant Olivia Caridi, and Bon Jovi’s David Bryan. Webster captivated the audience with his British humor and charismatic charm, kicking off the evening by saying: “Ladies and gentlemen, of the most noble of industries, it gives me great pleasure to present to you tonight, the fifteenth annual Gem awards, recognizing uncompromising excellence in the jewelry industry. For all of those out there wondering what I’m doing up here, we are most definitely on the same page with that one.”
Lucia Silvestri, Jewellery Creative Director of BVLGARI, won the GEM Award for Jewelry Design. The other nominees in the Jewelry Design category were Suzanne Kalan of Suzanne Kalan and Arun Bohra of Arunashi. The award was presented by 2016 GEM Award Winner, Temple St. Clair.
Kay Jewelers took home the GEM Award for Marketing & Communications. The award was accepted by George Murray, Chief Merchandising & Marketing Officer. The other nominees were Hearts On Fire® and Monica Rich Kosann. The award was presented by Danny Seo of “Naturally Danny” on NBC.
The GEM Award for Media Excellence was given to Grace Fuller, Jewelry Editor of W magazine. Rob Bates, News Director of JCK and the 2016 GEM Award for Media Excellence winner, presented the award. The other Media Excellence nominees were Amanda Alagem and Stephen Watson.
Patek Philippe received the GEM Award for Watch Excellence. The award was presented by GEM Award Winner Roberta Naas, founder of atimelyperspective.com. The other nominees for Watch Design were A. Lange & Söhne and Jaeger-LeCoultre.
Jim Rosenheim, chairman of Tiny Jewel Box in Washington D.C., was honored with the GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement for a career’s worth of contributions to the fine jewelry and watch industry. In his acceptance speech, he stated how his family business was founded on the simple motto: “If it’s not special, it’s not here.” Jeff Feero, owner of Alex Sepkus, presented Jim with his award after a touching tribute ending with: “There are few other people in the world like Jim . . . Jim shines. His integrity, generosity, and penchant for treating artists and vendors like a loving family. I am proud to be part of his family.”
Sponsors of GEM Awards included: Cornerstone Sponsor – Synchrony Financial; Red Carpet Sponsor – COUTURE; Cocktail Hour Reception Sponsors – D.B.S. Diamonds and Rio Diamond; Premier Sponsors – Signet Jewelers and Atelier Swarovski; Patron Sponsors – CHANEL, Citizen and David Yurman; Benefactor Sponsors – Hearts On Fire, Mikimoto, Movado Group Inc. and Tiffany & Co; Wi-Fi Sponsor – AT&T.
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.High Resolution Photos Available at:
https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/SZiUP/YWdpenppQGpld2VsZXJzLm9yZw
Photo Credits: Zach Hilty/BFA.com
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