New York, NY – Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association supporting every facet of the jewelry industry, and the GEM Awards Committee announce the return of the David Yurman GEM Awards Grant, a $50,000 Grant Program that provides funding and mentorship opportunities for an emerging jewelry designer. Applications for the Grant will be open from November 3, 2026 through December 2, 2026. The Grant Recipient will be presented at the 25th annual GEM Awards on Friday, March 12, 2027, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York.

“The inaugural David Yurman GEM Awards Grant introduced emerging talent to our event, expanding and strengthening our community with future leaders. We are thrilled that the initiative is entering its second year and are looking forward to reviewing the submissions and meeting a new group of nominees,” says Marion Fasel, GEM Awards Chair.

The David Yurman GEM Awards Grant was created in partnership with Jewelers of America and David Yurman to support and foster an emerging fine jewelry designer who has been in business for at least three years and shows exceptional promise. The selected Grant Recipient will receive a one-time financial award of $50,000 and mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives. The 2026 David Yurman GEM Awards Grant Recipient was Johnny Nelson.

To qualify as the Grant Recipient, the entrant must: demonstrate unique talent in fine jewelry design and a solid business plan for expansion; have operated their own jewelry design company for at least three years; and be based and manufacture in the United States of America.

David Yurman GEM Awards Grant Selection Committee will review all applications and select five finalists. The finalists will deliver in-person presentations to the David Yurman GEM Awards Grant Selection Committee. Following the final presentations, the Selection Committee will determine the Grant Recipient. The Grant Recipient will be presented at the GEM Awards on March 12, 2027.

GEM Awards is the industry’s most prestigious gala event, honoring individuals and companies whose work elevates the visibility and artistry of fine jewelry and timepieces. For more information on GEM Awards and the David Yurman GEM Awards Grant, visit https://gemawards.jewelers.org/.