Events & AwardsAug 19, 2021
JVC’s Annual Luncheon Will Be In-Person Again in JanuaryEvents & AwardsSep 14, 2021
And the Winner of the 2022 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement Is …
A longtime De Beers executive will receive the honor at the next Gem Awards, scheduled to take place in person in January 2022.
De Beers Executive Vice President Stephen Lussier will receive the Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement at the 2022 gala, scheduled to take place in January. Lussier, who started working at De Beers in 1985, has been integral in marketing diamonds to consumers over the past four decades.
New York—A De Beers executive described as being “at the heart of” diamond marketing for four decades will receive the 2022 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Stephen Lussier, chairman of De Beers Jewellers and De Beers Forevermark and executive vice president of Brands & Consumer Markets for De Beers Group, will receive the award at the 20th annual Gem Awards, set to take place in January 2022.
Lussier has been with De Beers since 1985.
Ten years after joining the company, he was appointed a director of the Diamond Trading Co. (or DTC, the name once used for De Beers’ sales and marketing arm) and in 2002 joined the DTC Executive Committee.
In 2005, Lussier was appointed to De Beers Group’s executive committee with responsibility for overseeing external and corporate affairs.
Four years later, he became CEO of Forevermark and executive vice president of marketing for De Beers Group.
In 2019, Lussier stepped back from day-to-day operations of Forevermark to focus on his role as executive vice president of Brands & Consumer Markets, a role in which he helps to shape De Beers’ strategy at the consumer level.
He also serves as chairman of the Natural Diamond Council and is a Responsible Jewellery Council board director.
“For over 40 years, Stephen Lussier has been at the heart of De Beers and diamond marketing worldwide,” Jewelers of America said in a press release. “His achievements and accolades exemplify the defining characteristics of a Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement recipient.”
After taking place virtually in 2021, the Gem Awards are slated to return in person on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York.
Now marking its 20th year, the Gem Awards gala celebrates individuals or companies that raise the visibility of fine jewelry or watches through their work, as Lussier has done for decades in marketing diamonds.
“Stephen has done so much for the diamond business and, in turn, for the jewelry industry as a whole,” JA President and CEO David Bonaparte said. “We look forward to bringing the industry together in total celebration this January as we honor Stephen.”
In addition to the Lifetime Achievement award, JA will be announcing other Gem Awards categories and nominees in the coming weeks.
For more information, to purchase tickets, or to show support for Lussier via a sponsorship, visit the Gem Awards website.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
Weekly QuizMar 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
AuctionsMar 18, 2026
Collection of the ‘Severely Beautiful’ Lady Wardington Fetches $161KThe model and fashion editor’s gold evening bags were the top lots at the London sale, going for more than $25,000 each.
PodcastsMar 18, 2026
Episode 3: An Interview With Jewelry Designer Johnny NelsonFresh off winning the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, Nelson discusses the ring that launched his career and his plans for the future.
SourcingMar 18, 2026
Lucara Recovers Nearly 37-Carat Blue DiamondThe “stunning” Type IIb stone was found via x-ray technology at its Karowe mine in Botswana.
MajorsMar 18, 2026
Stuller Releases New Edition of Jewelry Education Book“The Basics of Jewelry” has been updated to include modern topics and visuals.
SourcingMar 17, 2026
Cruzeiro Mine Debuts ‘Winter Tourmaline’The Brazilian mine’s new collection features cabochons in soft, muted shades like silver and lilac.
TrendsMar 17, 2026
Natalie Portman Is Tiffany & Co.’s New AmbassadorThe Academy Award-winning actress stars in Tiffany & Co.’s latest commercial, which debuted Sunday night during the Oscars.
MajorsMar 17, 2026
Kering Establishes Jewelry Division, Appoints CEOThe organizational change follows Kering’s promise of a transformation after declining sales in 2025.
EditorsMar 16, 2026
2026 Oscars Jewelry: One Necklace After AnotherNatalie Francisco rounds up the top Oscars jewels, including Rose Byrne’s Taffin necklace with a more than 20-carat yellow-brown diamond.
WatchesMar 16, 2026
TAG Heuer Has a New CEOBéatrice Goasglas has been with TAG Heuer since 2018. She is the first woman to head the 166-year-old, LVMH-owned watch brand.
IndependentsMar 16, 2026
Ben Bridge Debuts New Honolulu BoutiqueThe store features the first in-store build for the jeweler’s in-house “Bella Ponte” bridal brand.
AuctionsMar 16, 2026
Bonhams Paris To Offer Antique, Signed Jewels The live fine jewelry auction will take place later this week, showcasing antique pieces, rare gemstones, and signed jewels.
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
