Celebrating Radiance The 2025 Jose Hess Design Awards at JCK Las Vegas

The 2025 Jose Hess Design Awards brought a dazzling celebration of artistry, craftsmanship, and creative vision to JCK Las Vegas. This year’s theme, Radiance, honored fine jewelry that captures timeless beauty, emotional depth, and extraordinary design mastery.

On Saturday, June 7, inside the Design Collective lounge, industry professionals and guests experienced the viewing of the winning pieces. Each designer accepted their award in person, during a lively cocktail reception.

This year’s honorees included:

• Penny Preville — Celebrating five decades of sophisticated, enduring designs.

• Kouzoupis Jewellery — Nearly 75 years of Greek family heritage in handcrafted excellence.

• Benjamin King, Diamonds De Canada — Storytelling through diamonds from the Northwest Territories.

• Stella Song — GIA graduate blending modern aesthetics with classical elegance.

• Simon G. Fine Jewelry — Innovative designs rooted in refined craftsmanship.

• LÖF by Morgan Mackintosh — A self-taught visionary bringing fresh perspective to contemporary jewelry.

Each winning design was judged on originality, craftsmanship, artistry, and consumer appeal by an esteemed panel: Susan Helmich, Tracey Ellison, Veronica & Louis A. Guarino, and Magdalena (Maggie) Hess, founder of the awards.

Maggie Hess shared, “We have recognized truly incredible radiant designs spanning from highly established designers to emerging new talent. We take immense pride in celebrating both the rich legacy of our industry and the fresh, innovative voices shaping fine jewelry’s future.”

Industry leaders also offered inspiring reflections:

• John Mulligan, World Gold Council, spoke about gold’s enduring allure and the importance of sustainability.

• Jenny Luker, Platinum Guild International, shared personal memories of Jose Hess as her first mentor and his love for platinum.

• Nicole Garcia, GIA, honored Jose’s legacy as a mentor and champion for education in jewelry design.

As a special keepsake, guests received engraved Radiance bracelets from Jose Hess Designs with the message, “Radiance lives in you.”

The 2025 celebration was made possible with the support of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), World Gold Council, Platinum International, Jewelers of America, Rapaport, JCK, Smax, and Valerie Jo Coulson.

We are already looking ahead to the 2026 awards and another unforgettable gathering of talent, innovation, and inspiration in the world of fine jewelry design.