Jewelry Information Center’s Annual Gem Awards was held for the fifth time on Jan. 12 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. This year’s honorees were: Kwiat for Enduring Achievement; Jack Heuer, TAG Heuer, for Lifetime Achievement; and Jill Newman, contributing editor and writer for Robb Report, for Excellence in Journalism. 

Heuer was introduced by Ulrich Wohn, president and chief executive officer of TAG Heuer North America. Other presenters for the evening were Michael Kowalski, chairman and CEO of Tiffany’s, who spoke heartfelt words about Newman, and Mitchell Fox, group president and publishing director of Condé Nast Publications, who presented the award to the Kwiat family. For the fifth consecutive year, the evening was hosted by mistress of ceremonies Deborah Norville, journalist and anchor of Inside Edition. 

In all, 600 people from the jewelry industry throughout the world attended the event. In addition to honoring the recipients of the Gem Awards, the event celebrated JIC’s 61st year of service to the jewelry industry. This year’s event also featured JIC’s new video of the association’s work on behalf of members and the industry. The video features testimonials from four distinguished members of the press: Glenda Bailey, editor in chief of Harper’s Bazaar, Hedda Schupak editor in chief of JCK Magazine, Ruth Katz, longtime contributing editor to New York magazine, and Darcy Miller, editorial director of Martha Stewart Living.

The co-chairmen of JIC’s committee for this year’s Gem Awards were Steven Kaiser, of Kaiser Time, Inc. and former JIC Chairman John A. Green of Lux Bond and Green. Terri Eagle of John Hardy and Jim Kerwin of Kerwin Communications were Journal Co-Chairs. 

Now a well-established event and annual gathering of industry leaders and professionals, JIC’s Gem Awards recognizes the outstanding achievements of individuals and companies whose work raises the visibility and status of fine jewelry and watches. The Gem Awards honor a combination of retailers, manufacturers and media who meet the stringent criteria to be leaders in their field.

JCK