Feast of Stephen (Webster)

Last Sunday’s Golden Globes red carpet showcased some pretty amazing jewelry (hello, Emma Stone), and there’s even more glamour coming your way tomorrow night at Jewelers of America’s 15th annual GEM Awards. Held at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, the event will be hosted by the wildly charismatic British designer Stephen Webster. So you can be sure that everyone will be choosing their jewelry for the occasion very carefully, and that the ballroom will be with flickering with flashes of Stephen Webster’s signatures—spiky thornsmoth wings, and “magnipheasant” feathers amid a “crystal haze” of checkerboard-cut gems encased in iridescent quartz.

Because we can’t wait to see who wears what, we asked a handful of GEM Awards attendees to choose a piece (or pieces!) of Stephen Webster jewelry they’d love to wear to the event, starting with JCK’s own editor-in-chief…

Victoria Gomelsky, editor-in-chief, JCK and JCKonline

“I’ve fallen into a (bad?) habit of wearing little black dresses to industry events. The dress I’ve got picked out for the GEM Awards doesn’t really lend itself to a necklace, so I’d opt for a big, bold Stephen Webster cuff and earrings.


Neon More Passion cuff in resin, diamonds, and yellow gold, from the I Promise to Love You collection, $4,800

“Glamorous without being over-the-top, and sleek enough to transition from day to night, this cuff is the perfect statement piece—literally. It’s from the I Promise to Love You collection, a line that honors Stephen’s 40-year friendship with the artist Tracey Emin, whose signature artwork transforms her simple handwritten text into neon signs. I’m drawn to this collection for a few reasons: Back in May 2014, I wrote an article for TheInternational New York Times that explored the concept of jewelry as wearable art. Is jewelry art? I put that question to numerous jewelers, including Stephen. As you might expect, his remarks were funny, insightful, and extremely quotable. He mentioned a forthcoming collection that would be his interpretation of Emin’s work. I love the finished product—especially because I adore neon signs (and have a custom one hanging on my deck)!


Lady Stardust Deco earrings in 18k white gold with 3.12 cts. t.w. pavé amethyst, 1.70 cts. t.w. pavé purple sapphire, and 1.52 cts. t.w. pavé white diamonds, $17,000

“On my ears, I’d love to wear these earrings from the Lady Stardust collection. Not only am I a die-hard fan of David Bowie—the line pays homage to his legendary alter ego, Ziggy Stardust—the geometric V-shape pattern and use of gradated colors are, in my mind, representative of Stephen’s greatest work. He’s probably best known for his groundbreaking Crystal Haze line, but when I think of Stephen, I think of pieces with sharp, sexy angles embodying a very contemporary vision of Art Deco.”

Lauren Kulchinsky Levison, co-owner/curator, Mayfair Jewelers

“For pure vanity, I will not mention how many years Stephen Webster has been hanging on my ears, my neck, my wrist.… We both share a love of Cinderella blue, so I know the Delpozo gown I’ve chosen for the GEMawards, worn with an ice-blue Elie Saab fox stole, would be the perfect backdrop to Stephen’s most exquisite New York bracelet and earrings.


New York earrings and bracelet in 18k white gold with diamonds, from the Couture Voyage collection, $66,600 (earrings) and $135,000 (bracelet)

“The two pieces are the perfect representation of Stephen’s whimsy, elegance, and, above all, fun. The whole look is a New York story, the perfect way to celebrate Stephen’s phenomenal book of stories and to remember that we in the gem business are a business of stories. Cheers to Stephen—what a way to go to the ball!”

Michael PollakCEO and founder, Hyde Park Jewelers

“I’m most comfortable wearing a bracelet, generally paired with the watch. I also like the neutral color of hematite, a sensible complement to pieces made of either steel or rose gold.


Beasts of London Raven Head Beaded bracelet in hematite and silver, $595

“I’ve always liked that Stephen’s jewelry is inspired by both the city of London and Sir Alfred Hitchcock—an expression of beauty stemming from the macabre, dark side of the world.”

Tanya Dukes (@tanyadukes), editor/writer/stylist

“At the GEM Awards, when someone asks, ‘Who are you wearing?’ it’s only the jewelry that they care about. That’s why I’ll be wearing a little black dress that’s a neutral backdrop for standout, shoulder-grazing earrings, and my pick would be this pair from Stephen Webster’s Couture Voyage collection.


New York earrings in 18k white gold with pavé, round, and baguette-cut rubies, $48,000

“I love colored gemstones, especially during the dark days of winter. We all dress down so often. The GEMs are a chance to wear dramatic jewelry that rarely sees the light of day.”

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Amy Elliott

JCK Contributing Editor

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