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2022 GEM Awards Winners: Stephen Lussier, Lorraine Schwartz, Melanie Grant, Lauren Harwell Godfrey and Marissa Collections March 21, 2022 (0 comments)
New York, NY--Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, announced the winners of the 20th annual GEM Awards, held March 18 at Cipriani 42nd Street. Stephen Lussier of De Beers received the prestigious GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement and Lorraine Schwartz received the GEM Award for Jewelry Style.
The winners in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence and Retail Excellence were revealed live to an audience of more than 500 press and jewelry industry representatives.
From left: David Bonaparte, JA president & CEO, with Stephen Lussier, who received the GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement
Lauren Harwell Godfrey won the GEM Award for Jewelry Design. The other nominees in the Jewelry Design category were Beth Bugdaycay of Foundrae and Brent Neale Winston of Brent Neale. The award was presented by 2015 GEM Award for Jewelry Design winner Stephen Webster.
The GEM Award for Media Excellence was awarded to Melanie Grant, presented by two-time GEM Award winner Marion Fasel. Annabel Davidson and Daisy Shaw-Ellis were the other nominees.
Marissa Collections took home the GEM Award for Retail Excellence. The other nominees were MUSE and Saks Fifth Avenue. The award was presented by 2020 GEM Award for Retail Excellence winner, Paul Schneider of Twist.
Lorraine Schwartz brought the goods when she was presented with the GEM Award for Jewelry Style. The audience was treated to tribute videos from several celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Tina Knowles and Pharrell. Blake Lively then took the stage to present the GEM Award to Schwartz, who thanked her beloved family, clients and the jewelry industry saying, “I am really so grateful to the industry. We really do have a lot to say, and we can do so much for the future generation.”
Stephen Lussier was honored with the GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement for setting a standard of excellence that has pushed the diamond industry forward in pursuit of the diamond dream. In his speech, he said, “Consumers want to associate with the categories of products and brands that share their values. That to me is the new part of the diamond dream.” Charles Stanley presented the award to Lussier.
Jewelers of America’s Amanda Gizzi served as the host for the evening with GEM Awards Chair Randi Udell Alper of London Jewelers provided a welcome video.