The INHORGENTA AWARD, a premier recognition in the global jewelry, watch, and gemstone sectors, has unveiled its distinguished finalists for 2026. This year's competition witnessed an unprecedented surge in participation, attracting 148 entries from 19 nations, underscoring its growing international prestige. The award serves as a vital benchmark, celebrating exceptional design, unparalleled craftsmanship, and a steadfast dedication to artisanal mastery within the industry.

INHORGENTA AWARD 2026: Global Excellence and Future Talents Shine

In a thrilling announcement, the INHORGENTA AWARD 2026 has revealed the names of its finalists, selected from a record-breaking pool of 148 submissions originating from 19 countries. This significant milestone highlights the award's increasing global influence and its pivotal role in acknowledging outstanding contributions to the jewelry, watch, and gemstone industry. Stefanie Mändlein, the esteemed Exhibition Director of INHORGENTA, emphasized the award's international relevance, stating, "This year, we've set a new record with 148 submissions, which clearly demonstrates the INHORGENTA AWARD's established position as an industry benchmark and its commitment to upholding standards of craftsmanship."

An international panel of experts meticulously evaluated the submissions, ultimately selecting three finalists for each of the nine diverse categories. These categories span a wide array of expertise, from intricate gemstone designs and luxurious high jewelry pieces to precision mechanical timepieces, innovative retail concepts, and promising emerging talents. Notably, the Design Newcomer category experienced the highest volume of entries, signaling a vibrant new generation of creative minds entering the field.

Renowned jewelry designer and jury member, Stephen Webster, commented on the impressive caliber of submissions in the Design Newcomer category, stating, "This has been by far the strongest year for the Design Newcomer category, not only in terms of quantity but also the remarkable depth of potential winners. We are seeing genuine innovation, bold yet intelligent use of materials, and a refreshing sense of individuality. This diversity is precisely what makes the award so relevant to the future of the industry.""

The eagerly anticipated winners of the INHORGENTA AWARD 2026 will be revealed on Saturday, February 21, 2026, during a magnificent gala event held at the Bavaria Film Studios. The evening promises an atmosphere of elegance and celebration, hosted by the charismatic TV personality Nazan Eckes, with a captivating live musical performance by LOI.

The categories and their finalists represent the pinnacle of current industry trends and artistic vision:

• Gemstone Design of the Year: Celebrating the inherent beauty and expert cutting of gemstones. Finalists include Arnoldi International with a bi-color Imperial Topaz, Ekkehard F. Schneider with a Heliodor, and Nomad’s with a pink spinel.
• Fine Jewelry of the Year: Recognizing pieces that fuse classic elegance, premium materials, and exquisite artistry. Finalists are Capolavoro's "Grace 1991" ring, H. Krieger's "Altura" ring, and Kinraden's "Electra Necklace."
• High Jewelry of the Year: Honoring extraordinary creations with a retail price exceeding EUR 30,000, showcasing unparalleled artisanal standards. Finalists include Catherine Sauvage by Hahn with a floral aquamarine brooch, Fabio Collection Milano with a diamond-set yellow gold necklace, and Krisonia Alta Gioielleria with a multi-gemstone white gold necklace.
• Designer of the Year: Recognizing designers and brands that influence the industry with their distinctive creative style, masterful use of materials, and ability to blend contemporary trends with traditional craftsmanship. Finalists are Art’G Design, Johannes Hundt, and Sian Design.
• Design Newcomer of the Year: This category celebrates emerging talents who bring fresh ideas, technical precision, and a clear creative vision to the forefront. Gazelle Abedi, Georg Schiller, and Niklas Vaitl are the finalists, representing a new wave of designers who respect tradition while exploring innovative paths.
• Mechanical Watch of the Year: Highlighting mechanical timepieces that demonstrate superior construction, refined finishes, and technical ingenuity. Finalists include Mühle-Glashütte with the "Sportivo Großdatum," Sinn Spezialuhren with the "104 Klassik 12," and Tutima Glashütte with the "PATRIA in Titan."
• Watch Design of the Year: Recognizing watches where design, functionality, and technology harmoniously unite. Finalists are Accutron by Bulova with the "26A211 Spaceview 314 Tuning Fork," Citizen with "The Citizen 30th Anniversary Limited Edition AQ4100-57C," and Sinn Spezialuhren with the "U50 HYDRO."
• Luxury Watch of the Year | Public Choice: In collaboration with WirtschaftsWoche, the public voted for their favorite luxury watch within the EUR 5,000 to EUR 75,000 price range. A pre-selected group of 14 models, chosen for their horological quality and design excellence, was put forward. The top three in this public vote are Cartier's "Ballon Bleu," Glashütte Original's "PanoMaticLunar," and Rolex's "Land-Dweller 40."
• Goldsmith of the Year: In partnership with GZ Goldschmiede Zeitung, this category honors ateliers for their unique craftsmanship, design quality, and exceptional customer consultation. The four finalists are Kinzel & Rall—Haus der Golschmiedekunst (Kempten), Ruth Sellack (Stuttgart), Atelier Schon (Hamburg), and Tiroler Goldschmied (Dorf Tirol).
• Jeweler of the Year: Also in cooperation with GZ Goldschmiede Zeitung, this award recognizes jewelers who excel in advisory services and overall business concept. The finalists are Eppli by blocher partners (Stuttgart), Juwelier Laufer (Minden), Juwelier Mühlbacher (Regensburg), and Juwelier Müller (Kempten).

The international jury, composed of leading experts from the jewelry, watch, retail, and gemstone sectors, played a crucial role in selecting these finalists. The panel included Gisbert L. Brunner (watch expert & author), Leo Eberlin (jewelry designer), Anja Heiden (WEMPE Executive Board), Joern F. Kengelbach (Editor at Large swisswatches & Editorial Adviser WirtschaftsWoche), Patrik Muff (jewelry designer), Daniel Nyfeler (Managing Director, Gübelin Gem Lab), Katerina Perez (Founder & Editor-in-Chief), Christoph Stelzer (retail specialist, Dfrost), and Stephen Webster (jewelry designer). A dedicated jury for the Luxury Watch of the Year | Public Choice included Gisbert L. Brunner, Robert-Jan Broer (Fratellowatches.com), Frank Geelen (Monochrome-Watches.com), Kristian Haagen (Kristianhaagen.com), Joern F. Kengelbach (WirtschaftsWoche), Pierre-André Schmitt (Bilanz), and Zurab Zazashvili (Swisswatches-Magazine.com).

The INHORGENTA AWARD 2026 not only celebrates current achievements but also casts a spotlight on the future trajectory of the industry, fostering innovation and recognizing the diverse talents that continue to shape its evolution.

The INHORGENTA AWARD's impressive growth and the caliber of its finalists underscore the dynamic and innovative spirit within the jewelry and watch industry. It highlights the importance of recognizing both established masters and emerging talents, ensuring a continuous evolution of creativity and quality. This event serves as an inspiring platform, encouraging designers and brands to push boundaries and uphold the highest standards of craftsmanship, ultimately enriching the global market with exceptional and thoughtful creations.