Johnny Nelson (pictured), founder of an eponymous New York City–based jewelry brand, is the inaugural recipient of the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, announced Jewelers of America (JA), which presents the Gem Awards.
The $50,000 grant includes mentoring and consultative meetings with David Yurman executives and other industry leaders. Nelson will receive his award at the 24th annual Gem Awards on March 13 in New York.
“I am blessed, honored, and grateful,” Nelson said in a statement. “To be recognized by David and Sybil Yurman, along with the esteemed Gem Awards committee—leaders who have helped shape the landscape of American fine jewelry—is profoundly meaningful.
“This award affirms my commitment to amplifying culture and legacy through craftsmanship, art, and design. I am excited for the doors this grant will open for Johnny Nelson Jewelry and for the invaluable mentorship opportunities with David Yurman and team, whom I greatly respect and admire.”
Nelson makes handcrafted sculptural and figurative rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces—many with motifs from African American history and culture—in sterling silver, 14k and 18k gold, and sandstone, and other materials.
“Johnny Nelson has been charting his own course in the jewelry world from the moment he became a designer. His work has been displayed in museum exhibitions, such as the landmark ‘Ice Cold’ at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and participated in some impressive collaborations with major brands such as Adidas,” said Gem Awards chair Marion Fasel in a statement.
Nelson was selected for the grant following an in-person presentation to David and Sybil Yurman and the grant committee. “His presentation had a wonderful combination of sharing his past achievements and a specificity of areas for potential growth he could achieve with additional funding, mentoring, and recognition,” said Fasel. “We are all thrilled he is our inaugural grant winner.”
JA said it received 90 applications for the grant. Four finalists—Hiba Husayni of Zahn-Z, Jules Kim of Bijules, Dorian Webb, and Lorraine West—will also be recognized at the Gem Awards and will receive mentoring support, said JA.
The organization partnered with David Yurman Enterprises to create the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant to foster early-career fine jewelry talent who show exceptional promise. Applicants must be in business for at least three years.
“With the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, we’re proud to support emerging designers at a pivotal moment when resources and mentorship can help transform momentum into lasting impact,” David Yurman said in a statement.
“Made with intention, Johnny Nelson’s work feels personal—each piece reflecting his ongoing relationship with form, meaning, and material. We’re honored to invest in his next chapter through our grant and our ongoing mentorship.”
David and Sybil Yurman served on the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant committee, along with Fasel, Sam Broekema, Annie Doresca, Jennifer Gandia, Amanda Gizzi, Lauren Harwell Godfrey, and Jill Newman.
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