NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, held the 18th annual GEM Awards on Friday, January 10, 2020, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York. Ed Bridge of Ben Bridge Jeweler received the prestigious GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement. The winners in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence and Retail Innovation were revealed live to an audience of over 500 press and jewelry industry elite.
Nikos Koulis won the GEM Award for Jewelry Design. The other nominees in the Jewelry Design category were Ana Khouri and Carlo Traglio. The award was presented by 2019 GEM Award for Jewelry Design winner Fernando Jorge.
The GEM Award for Media Excellence was awarded to Rachel Garrahan, presented by 2019 GEM Award winner Will Kahn. The other Media Excellence nominees were Anthony DeMarco and Tanya Dukes.
Twist took home the award for GEM Award for Innovation. The other nominees for Retail Innovation were Foundrae and HODINKEE Shop. The award was presented by 2019 GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement winner Samina Virk of Threads.
Ed Bridge was honored with the GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement for setting a standard of excellence that has inspired his company and industry colleagues. Ed helmed Ben Bridge Jeweler with his cousin Jon as President & co-CEO from 1990-2017 and acted as Chairman & CEO from 2018-2019. In 2000, he guided the company through its acquisition by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, leading to greater growth and expansion for the Ben Bridge brand. After receiving a standing ovation from the crowd, he thanked his family and team and explained the three takeaways that he learned from his role models in life: “Treat people the way you would want to be treated if your roles were reversed, always be honest in all your dealings, and be generous with your time and resources.”
GEM Awards Chair Olivier Stip of CHANEL hosted the evening. Sponsors of the 2020 GEM Awards included: Cornerstone Sponsors – CHANEL and Synchrony; Premier Sponsor – Signet Jewelers; Patron Sponsors – Chow Tai Fook North America, David Yurman, DeBeers Group; Benefactor Sponsors –COUTURE, HODINKEE, JCK Events, Lightbox and Movado Group Inc.
