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New York--The Jewelry Information Center's 10th annual Gem Awards took place Friday night in New York City, with the most attendees since 2009 gathering at Cipriani 42nd Street to recognize leaders in style and communication.

The high attendance, awards Chair Rachel Branch observed, was a testament to the health of the jewelry industry.

The evening's top honor, the Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement, went to Ralph Destino, chairman-emeritus of both Cartier Inc. and the Gemological Institute of America. Destino served as chair of the JIC when the idea for the Gem Awards was conceived a decade ago.

Destino spent 32 years with the Cartier Group, serving as president and CEO of Cartier (Far East) Ltd. and president and chairman of Cartier (USA) Inc. He retired from Cartier in 2005 and soon after was named chairman of GIA. He headed the Board of Governors and the institute for three years.

In accepting the award, the industry veteran joked that while he had logged many years in jewelry, he was not there when the House of Cartier was founded in 1847.

On a more serious note, Destino said he always regarded his position at Cartier as a caretaker of a long-established and well-regarded brand.

"I felt that same sense of protection when I joined the Gemological Institute of America," Destino said.

The Gem Award for Journalistic Excellence went to the "queen of accessories," Candy Pratts Price, who was introduced by fashion designer Carolina Herrera.

Price, the editor-at-large for Vogue.com, said she regards jewelry as both "international currency" and "social networking," noting the global quality of the medium, which is recognized as a form of expression worldwide.

"I love jewelry," she said. "I love the symbolism."

French actress Anna Mouglalis presented the Gem Award for Corporate Communications to Chanel Fine Jewelry following a video presentation that detailed the evolution of the brand and its line of fine jewelry over the years.

Oliver Stip, senior vice president of Chanel Fine Jewelry & Watches, accepted on behalf of the iconic French brand.

He remarked on how fitting it was for Chanel to accept this award in 2012, a year in which they are celebrating the 80th anniversary of "Bijoux de Diamants," a line introduced in 1932 in the midst of the Great Depression.

Despite the tough economic times--not unlike those the world is facing today--the line was a great success, showing people's desire for jewelry endures even in the most difficult times.

"I am proud to accept the award on behalf of Chanel Fine Jewelry," he said.

The Honorable Daphne Guinness, a designer, stylist and writer, won the Gem Award for Style.

Guinness was unable to attend. British designer Shaun Leane, with whom she collaborated on a body armor-inspired line of fine jewelry, accepted on her behalf.

The host for the 2012 Gem Awards was cookbook author, model and Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi, who launched an eponymous jewelry line in 2009.

She opened and closed the evening by remarking on how jewelry is an important luxury because the pieces mark special moments for everyone. They are "the talismen of our lives," she said.