Accessories Council Is Accepting Entries for Design Excellence Awards
There are categories for fine jewelry, fashion jewelry, social impact, and sustainability.

Categories span a large array of accessories, with some particularly suited to the jewelry industry.
There’s a category for fine jewelry; fashion jewelry; one geared toward social impact, in the realms of charity, and diversity and inclusion; sustainability; and tech and innovations.
Entries may be submitted online through July 16. Finalists will be announced on Monday, Aug. 2 at 9 a.m. EST.
Voting is then open to the public, with last year’s awards receiving more than 110,000 total votes.
Winners will be announced at the virtual ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 12 p.m. EST.
Finalists and winners will be able to use the “AC Seal” on products and marketing materials. Winners will be featured in AC Magazine’s fall issue, coming out the first week of October.
Sponsors for the 2021 edition are Blackglama Exclusively by Saga Furs; B2B wholesale website Joor for the Tech and Innovation Award; and Marchon Eyewear for the trophies.
Voting will take place on the Joor website.
Additional award categories are: Footwear (Over $250); Footwear (Under $250); Handbags (Over $1,000); Handbags (Under $1,000); Personal Accessories (Soft Accessories, Scarves, SLG’s, Gloves, Belts, Hats, Umbrellas); Personal Accessories (Travel/Luggage); Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); Optical (Eyewear); and Eyewear (Sun).
The Latest

Their partnership combines Gemist’s customization technology with Saban Onyx’s U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities.

Respondents were concerned about the Middle East conflict and how it will impact their finances.

Our Piece of the Week, the “Butterfly” necklace, showcases a 7.02-carat oval diamond set between diamond, platinum, and 18-karat gold wings.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Smith uses a comment he overheard in the grocery store to remind retailers that their job is to inspire buying behavior, not just sell.


“A Girl SMR at Claire’s” celebrates girlhood through the five senses with stacked jewelry, slime toys, scented accessories, and ASMR.

Believed to be one of three made in 1987, the Cartier London Crash was hot at the “Shapes of Cartier” sale at Sotheby’s Hong Kong.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Officials are looking for a group that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers at an outlet mall in Round Rock, Texas, in broad daylight on April 21.

Sponsored by OROAREZZO International Jewelry Exhibition

Some retailers are taking a nuanced approach to marketing what can be a difficult holiday for many.

The Edge has announced its new CEO, as well as a new partnership with an investment firm focused on founder-led software businesses.

De Beers’ diamond production was up 17 percent in Q1, boosted by increased output at its mines in South Africa and Canada.

A signet ring belonging to the Western film star of Hollywood’s Golden Age will be up for auction at Elmwood’s next month.

Importers can submit claims now to receive money back for the IEEPA tariffs they’ve paid, with refunds expected to take up to 90 days.

The owners of Gregory Jewelers in Morganton, North Carolina, are heading into retirement.

The colored gemstone industry leader is heading into retirement after four years as the association’s CEO.

Susie Dewey joins the Natural Diamond Council as its new chief marketing officer.

The largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.

Emmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.

In honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.

The trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.

NRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.

The “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.

The jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.

Sponsored by Jewelers Mutual

The proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.






















