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The Winners of the 2026 Centurion Hedda Schupak-Baum Excellence in Design Awards February 06, 2026 (0 comments)
Phoenix, AZ--The winners of the 2026 Centurion Hedda Schupak-Baum Excellence in Design Awards were announced February 2 at a gala dinner during The Centurion jewelry show.
This marks the fourth year the annual awards program has carried the name of Hedda Schupak, the former editor-in-chief of the JCK Publishing Group and later managing editor of the Centurion newsletter. Schupak spent nearly her entire career in the jewelry industry and was a beloved figure to many within it. She died in 2013 at the age of 62.
[Jonathan Farnsworth of Parlé and Jim Baum]
Her husband, Jim Baum, has continued her legacy by remaining actively involved in the management of the awards program. Prior to the announcement of the winners, Baum spoke about Hedda’s enduring passion for the industry.
“What she loved most were retailers who understood and sold good design, because she realized that was the leg up those retailers had on their competition,” Baum said. “This is really a perfect melding of what she valued in this industry—and she truly loved all of you.”
He also thanked Howard and Patty Hauben of Centurion for naming the awards in her honor.
“After Hedda passed, they recognized the value of this competition and have kept it going,” Baum said. “Thank you.”
This year’s awards included eight winners across seven categories, featuring the first-ever tie. Winners were selected by the jewelry retailers who attend the invitation-only trade fair. The honorees are:
Engagement Rings: Tie — Coast by Classique Creations
Engagement Rings: Tie — Tacori
Wedding Bands: Henri Daussi
Fashion Jewelry Under $7,500 Retail: Doves by Doron Paloma
Fashion Jewelry Over $7,500 Retail: Cammilli
Classic Jewelry: Hearts on Fire
Red Carpet Jewelry: David Kord
Accessories, Men’s & Watches: Parle
The Centurion jewelry show was held January 31–February 4 at the Arizona Biltmore, where it celebrated its 25th anniversary. The invitation-only event attracted more than 200 of the industry’s leading designers, manufacturers, and service providers, who hosted approximately 340 top jewelry retailers. The show concluded with an outdoor performance by the San Francisco pop-rock band Train.