Shinola, Stephen Webster among Gem Award winners

New York--A Detroit-made watch and accessories brand and a British designer were among those to take home a Gem Award on Friday night, as Jewelers of America’s held its annual awards ceremony at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York.

Considered the jewelry-industry equivalent of the Oscars, the Gem Awards recognize excellence in marketing and communications, media, and design.

For the second year in a row, the names of the winners in these three categories were kept under wraps until the event while the recipient of the annual Lifetime Achievement Award--this year, Larry Pelzel--was revealed prior to the event.

The first award of the night, marketing and communications, went to Detroit-based watch and leather goods company Shinola, which won out over De Beers’ Forevermark diamond brand and the Tudor Swiss watchmaking brand.

The award for media excellence went to W magazine’s Claudia Mata. After spending seven years at Town & Country, Mata joined W in 2011 as the accessories and jewelry director. She is now in charge of all jewelry and accessories editorial coverage, and covers the women’s accessory markets, fashion and jewelry/watch shows, and styles photo shoots.

Mata beat out nominees Maria Doulton, founder of The Jewellery Editor, and Jack Forster of Revolution Magazine USA.

The final award of the night, for design, went to Stephen Webster, who was recognized for his combination of innovative design and attention to detail, beating out fellow nominees Alexis Bittar and Todd Reed.

The evening wrapped up with the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Pelzel, the vice president and divisional merchandise manager of the Precious Jewels division at Neiman Marcus.

With a career in the fine jewelry industry that spans more than three decades, Pelzel was recognized by the industry not only for his stellar career helping build the retailer’s jewelry division, but also for his attitude and the impact he’s had on those with which he works.

After an introduction from Neiman Marcus CEO Karen Katz, Pelzel took to the stage to talk about his career, offer thanks to his mentor--the late Steve Magner, who helped him get his start--and to ensure everyone that even though he was winning a lifetime achievement award, he planned on being around for years to come.

Pelzel got his start at Neiman Marcus in 1980, working his way up from sales associate, precious jewels, to his current position of vice president