The annual awards will be held Jan. 13 in New York City

Jewelry designer Stephen Webster will host the 2017 GEM Awards, the annual awards ceremony sponsored by Jewelers of America (JA).

“We are thrilled that Stephen Webster has agreed to host the 15th Annual GEM Awards,” said GEM Award chair Norman Miller in a statement. “After Stephen presented the GEM Award for Jewelry Design last year, there was immediate consensus with the GEM Awards committee that Stephen would be a terrific host for our milestone event. Trust me, you want to attend this event!”

The 2017 ceremony will take place Jan. 13 in New York City. JA announced the nominees for the awards in September and revealed that Jim Rosenheim, chairman of Tiny Jewel Box, will receive the GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement.

“Despite carrying the burden of a funny accent and a warped sense of unfiltered humor, the powers that be have asked me to host this year’s GEM Awards,” said Webster in a statement. “I’m honored and looking forward to it. My wife is equally dreading it but wouldn’t miss it. Accepting that the engagement comes with responsibilities, the values of the awards committee and the nominees will be respected at all times. My name is Stephen Webster, and I endorse this message.”

Tickets and more information about the GEM Awards are available here.

(Photo courtesy of JA)

JCK