The Jose Hess Design Awards

The Jose Hess Design Awards 2025

The 2025 Jose Hess Design Awards, held during JCK Las Vegas, honored six outstanding jewelry designers under the theme of Radiance. From celebrated industry leaders to emerging voices, each winner showcased exceptional artistry, craftsmanship, and creative vision. The evening brought together designers and industry leaders to celebrate Jose Hess’s enduring legacy and the future of fine jewelry design. Planning is already underway for the 2026 awards.

Celebrating the Enduring Legacy of Designer Jose Hess. The American Jewelry Design Council (AJDC) and The Jose Hess Design Awards were established to honor Hess's influence and inspire emerging designers.

In the 1960s, Jose Hess revolutionized the American jewelry landscape by advocating for recognition of individual design prowess. His insistence on artistic merit over generic mass-production reshaped industry standards, leaving a lasting impact on jewelry innovation.