The Jose Hess Design Awards, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating the transformative legacy of design icon Jose Hess, proudly announces the 2025 honorees and concludes this year's prestigious competition. Under the theme of "Radiance," the 2025 awards recognize fine jewelry that captured timeless beauty through enduring brilliance, profound emotional resonance and extraordinary artistic mastery.
The winners received recognition and celebration at the JCK Show in Las Vegas on Saturday, June 7, within the Design Collective lounge. Industry professionals and guests witnessed the first public viewing of these remarkable award-winning pieces, with each designer present to personally accept their award while attendees toasted the exceptional talent of this year's honorees. A cocktail reception followed the presentation provided intimate opportunities for guests to engage directly with the designers and discover the compelling stories behind their creations.
2025 Award Recipients:
Penny Preville — Celebrating five decades of industry excellence, this distinguished designer brand continues to captivate with sophisticated, enduring and timeless designs.
Kouzoupis Jewellery — Nearly 75 years of Greek family heritage culminates in this brand's commitment to exclusive, handcrafted jewelry of uncompromising quality and artisanal excellence.
Benjamin King, Diamonds De Canada — Driven by passionate storytelling that honors the distinctive geological character of Northwest Territories' natural diamonds, creating pieces that celebrate regional authenticity.
Stella Song — A lifelong design devotee and new Graduate of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), crafting refined modern fine jewelry that seamlessly blends contemporary aesthetics with classical elegance.
Simon G. Fine Jewelry — An established brand whose sophisticated creations masterfully unite innovation with sophisticated design principles.
LÖF by Morgan Mackintosh — A self-taught visionary whose intuitive understanding of form and material brings fresh perspective to contemporary fine jewelry design.
Each design was evaluated on creative originality, technical craftsmanship, innovative artistry, and consumer appeal. This year's judging panel included Susan Helmich of Susan Helmich Design, Tracey Ellison of The Diamond Girl, Veronica & Louis A. Guarino of Louis Anthony Jewelers, and Magdalena (Maggie) Hess, Founder of Jose Hess Design Awards.
"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,” said Maggie Hess.
This year's awards program and celebration achieved success through the invaluable support of distinguished sponsors: Gemological Institute of America (GIA), World Gold Council, Platinum International, Jewelers of America, Rapaport, JCK, Smax, and Valerie Jo Coulson. Sponsors and industry leaders spoke at the celebration, emphasizing the importance of continuing Jose Hess's mission of supporting emerging talent and excellence in design.
"Gold has always held a special allure. It's not just a metal; it's a symbol of wealth, power, divinity and, of course, beauty," said John Mulligan of the World Gold Council. "Your creativity and craftsmanship help turn raw materials into works of art that captivate and inspire. But I can’t resist returning to my day job to ask, even as we celebrate, let's also remember the importance of sustainability in our industry. Gold, with its enduring value, reminds us that true luxury is not just about beautiful objects, it’s also about trust, care and responsibility. Let's continue to innovate and create in ways that respect our planet and future generations."
Jenny Luker of Platinum Guild International reflected on Jose Hess's personal impact, "Jose was one of the first people in the industry I met 30 years ago, and he was my first mentor. It is so important to encourage new talent and new leadership and that is what this represents. For platinum, Jose always said it was “like butter” and I am hopeful that the new generation has the same opportunity to work with and experience this incredible metal. Platinum is the most precious of metals and with its unique characteristics of purity and longevity and Radiance it is a metal that sets itself apart from others.”
Nicole Garcia, Executive Director of Alumni Development at GIA, honored Jose's educational legacy, " Today, we pause to express deep gratitude and reflect on the incredible legacy of Jose Hess, a proud graduate of GIA, a dedicated mentor, and a passionate believer in the power of education. Jose didn’t just practice his craft; he lived it. He understood that true excellence in the jewelry industry wasn’t just born of talent, it was forged through learning, dedication, and growth. Let’s ensure that the brilliance of our industry continues to shine through knowledge, passion, and purpose. Thank you to the Jose Hess Design Awards for creating this!"
As a meaningful keepsake honoring the celebration, attendees received "Radiance" bracelets from Jose Hess Designs, each beautifully engraved and with card with the inspiring message: "Radiance lives in you."
