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The 2024 GEM Award Winners Were Honored at Gala Event March 11, 2024 (0 comments)
New York, NY--Susan M. Jacques, president and CEO of GIA, was the recipient of the GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement. Tiffany & Co. was presented with a Special Recognition Award and actress and singer, Cynthia Erivo, was the recipient of the GEM Award for Jewelry Style.
This is the 22nd year for the Gem Awards hosted by Jewelers of America. The award winners were selected from a committee of industry representatives.
The winners in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence and Retail Excellence were revealed live during the Gem Awards Black-tie event at Cipriani 42nd Street.
[Susan M. Jacques at the 2024 Gem Awards. Photo credit: Jewelers of America and Gem Awards]
Marla Aaron won the Gem Award for Jewelry Design. The award was presented by the 2023 GEM Award for Jewelry Design winner, Anita Ko. The other nominees in the category were Marie Lichtenberg and Jean Prounis.
The Gem Award for Media Excellence went to Tanya Dukes. The other nominees were Milena Lazazzera Martins Alexandre and Alexis Wolfe. The Gem Award was presented by the 2023 winner in the category, Michelle Graff.
Ben Bridge Jeweler won the Gem Award for Retail Excellence, and the award was accepted on stage by their President & CEO Lisa Bridge. The other nominees were Irene Neuwirth and Ylang23. The award was presented by 2023 GEM Award for Retail Excellence winners Jennifer Gandia and Christina Gandia Gambale of Greenwich St. Jewelers.
Tiffany & Co. was presented with a Special Recognition Award for the renovation of its flagship on 57th Street and Fifth Avenue, now known as “The Landmark.” The award was accepted by Christopher Kilaniotis, Tiffany & Co president & CEO – Americas. It was presented by Aimee Song, an American fashion blogger and designer.
Erivo lit up the GEM Awards Stage in her iconic jewelry style as she was presented with the Gem Award.
“I know that jewelry for a lot of people is simply a sparkly luxury, and that's not necessarily a bad thing,” she said. “Sometimes we want to be sparkly and luxurious, but what I get from every piece I own is a time capsule, a moment crystalized, a conversation waiting to be had, a connection yearning to be made, a memory begging never to be forgotten, a power source – and what has struck me in this bejeweled journey, is that I have also been able to connect with some of the most incredible women I have ever met, some who have become like sisters,”
The award was presented by her friend Ben Platt.