Events & AwardsApr 21, 2021
Meet the 3 Recipients of the Beyoncé x Lorraine Schwartz GIA ScholarshipEvents & AwardsJul 19, 2021
Even Online, Gem Awards Bring the Glamour
The industry dressed up for a virtual event honoring an image architect, security champion, agents for change, and a late, great designer.
Image architect Law Roach, left, accepted the Gem Award for Jewelry Style at Thursday night’s virtual event, while Jewelers Security Alliance President John Kennedy was presented with the Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement.
New York—It wasn’t a freezing Friday night in January at Cipriani 42nd Street, but it worked.
The 19th annual Gem Awards took place online Thursday night, with attendees watching pre-recorded speeches from the evening’s two award recipients—Jewelers Security Alliance President John J. Kennedy, the recipient of this year’s Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement, and image architect Law Roach, who took home the Gem Award for Jewelry Style.
Kennedy said he views the award not just as a personal honor, but also as a symbol of how the entire jewelry industry has come together to keep each other safe over the course of his career.
“When it comes to security, jewelers are not competitors,” he said. “We are all in this together.”
The year he joined the jewelry industry, 1992, a total of 37 jewelers were killed on the job.
Kennedy made it one of his career goals to bring that number down to zero.
Gradually, the number of industry homicides dropped into the 20s, then into the teens and, then, slipped down into the single digits.
In 2019, the number of jewelers killed on the job was zero.
While Kennedy said he recognizes it won’t always stay at zero, he takes great satisfaction in thinking about all the lives members of the industry have saved by working together.
“It’s a great achievement for a trade organization, and an industry, to make such a claim,” he said.
The 19th annual Gem Awards took place online Thursday night, with attendees watching pre-recorded speeches from the evening’s two award recipients—Jewelers Security Alliance President John J. Kennedy, the recipient of this year’s Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement, and image architect Law Roach, who took home the Gem Award for Jewelry Style.
Kennedy said he views the award not just as a personal honor, but also as a symbol of how the entire jewelry industry has come together to keep each other safe over the course of his career.
“When it comes to security, jewelers are not competitors,” he said. “We are all in this together.”
The year he joined the jewelry industry, 1992, a total of 37 jewelers were killed on the job.
Kennedy made it one of his career goals to bring that number down to zero.
Gradually, the number of industry homicides dropped into the 20s, then into the teens and, then, slipped down into the single digits.
In 2019, the number of jewelers killed on the job was zero.
While Kennedy said he recognizes it won’t always stay at zero, he takes great satisfaction in thinking about all the lives members of the industry have saved by working together.
“It’s a great achievement for a trade organization, and an industry, to make such a claim,” he said.
A screen shot of Law Roach, outfitted in Bulgari, accepting the Gem Award for Jewelry Style at Thursday night’s virtual event
In accepting his award, John Kennedy gave a speech that was pre-recorded at Cipriani 42nd Street, where the Gem Awards normally take place.
Jewelers of America’s Director of PR & Events Amanda Gizzi, left, and Gem Awards Chair Randi Udell Alper hosted the virtual event, also pre-recording their segments at Cipriani.
Roach, the Gem Award for Jewelry Style recipient, is the architect behind many of the most recent standout moments on the red carpet, and was just named “Stylist of the Year” by The Hollywood Reporter.
Remember Anya Taylor-Joy at the Golden Globes? That was Roach.
Zendaya channeling Beyoncé at the BET Awards? That was Roach too.
In accepting the Gem Award, Roach, a native of the Southside of Chicago who got his start running vintage clothing stores in New York and Chicago, said he considers jewelry to be the “cherry on top” of any outfit.
“Right after you zip the dress, it completes the look and it makes people feel even more beautiful.”
He said receiving an award from Jewelers of America was particularly special because jewelry means a lot to him.
“It’s very aspirational,” Roach said. “It’s that thing you’re able to obtain when you work hard.”
The virtual event also featured two tributes.
The first was for the members of the industry who stepped up to advocate for increased diversity and equity in fine jewelry in the midst of the racial reckoning in 2020, as well as those individuals and companies that donated time and money to help those impacted by COVID-19.
The second was for the late Elsa Peretti, the innovative and game-changing jewelry designer who died in March at the age of 80.
Peretti was remembered as a “shy and humble human being” who was passionate and driven, and gave to the world not only through her talent as a jewelry designer but also through her charity.
The Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation focuses on giving to projects that work to defend human rights—particularly women’s and children’s rights—combat poverty, and conserve the environment.
Elsa created the charity in 2000, naming it after herself and her father Ferdinando, who died in 1977.
Over the years, the foundation has given €16 million to the various causes its supports.
The Gem Awards traditionally take place in January but was delayed because of COVID-19 concerns. The committee eventually opted to make this year’s event online only.
Plans call for the Gem Awards—which will mark its 20th anniversary next year—to return to Cipriani on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s LifeCommercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’? Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
