(NEW YORK) – Jewelers of America (JA) has announced the winners of its 29th annual CASE Awards jewelry design competition. The CASE Awards, JA’s national design competition for jewelry retailers, recognizes JA Retail Members who exhibit creativity, artistry, style and excellence in jewelry design.
First and second place winners were selected out of 54 entries from JA Retail Members in four categories: Jewelry to $2,000, $2,001 to $5,000, $5,001 to $10,000 and $10,001 & over (retail values).
“The CASE Awards shine a spotlight on the custom designs of the talented jewelers in Jewelers of America Member stores across the country,” says JA President & CEO David J. Bonaparte. “We are excited to offer a national platform to recognize the creativity and fine craftsmanship of these JA Members.”
The winners in the four price categories were determined by a panel of design experts who evaluated the entries on the following criteria: overall design, marketability, practicality/wearability and quality of manufacture. Judges included Brecken Branstrator, National Jeweler; Amy Elliott, JCK contributor and All That Glitters columnist; Deirdre Featherstone, Featherstone Design; Amanda Gizzi, Jewelers of America; JB Jones, NYC Jewelry Week; Erica Silverglide, GemologyGeek; and Maria Tsangaropoulos, GIA Jewelry Manufacturing Arts instructor.
All first and second place winners will receive a customized CASE Award trophy and national and local media coverage.
The 2019 CASE Awards were sponsored by Synchrony and Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group. The CASE Awards is open only to employees of JA Retail Member companies.
2019 CASE Awards winners
Jewelry Up to $2,000
First Place
C3 Designs
Designed by Chris Jensen
South Milwaukee, WI
Sterling silver and 14K yellow gold earrings with rough selenite crystal and rough black tourmaline crystal, accented with bezel set rainbow topaz cabochon, topaz, London blue topaz and diamonds
Second Place
The Gem Vault
Designed by Sharon Curtiss-Gal
Flemington, NJ
14K rose and white gold necklace featuring an Australian opal (1.20 ct) and diamonds on a 14K rose gold chain
Jewelry $2,001 to $5,000
First Place
Ricardo Basta Fine Jewelry
Designed by Ricardo Basta
Los Angeles, CA
14K yellow gold ring featuring a 7.05 ct heat treated blue zircon with round brilliant cut diamonds (0.12 ctw)
Second Place
Devon Fine Jewelry
Designed by Marianne Vander Wall
Wyckoff, NJ
18K rose gold pendant with 6.43 ct bezel set kite shape peridot dangling from a 0.96 ct trillion green tourmaline with 3 bezel set diamonds
Jewelry $5,001 to $10,000
First Place
Lee Ayers Jewelers
Designed by Thomas Dailing
Stevens Point, WI
“Nova” 14K white gold pendant holding an 18.97 ct concave faceted citrine, accented with 33 round diamonds (0.85 ctw)
Second Place
Bella Fine Jewelry LLC
Designed by Irina Orshansky
Guilderland, NY
Decanter made with silver, 22K yellow gold plated, gilding, glass and enamel, featuring the owner’s monogram
Jewelry $10,001 & Over
First Place
Ricardo Basta Fine Jewelry
Designed by Ricardo Basta
Los Angeles, CA
18K yellow gold earrings with 2 trillion cut pink tourmalines (35.49 ctw), 2 round faceted aquamarines (3.22 ctw), 372 round brilliant cut fancy intense yellow diamonds (1.55 ctw), 6 round faceted pink sapphires (0.16 ctw) and 6 round faceted aquamarines (0.22 ctw)
Second Place
Faye Kim Fine Jewelry
Designed by Faye Kim
Westport, CT
28.80 ct natural Australian crystal opal ring from Corcoran Field Lightning Ridge mine in southern Australia set in 18K green gold with a band of micro pavé set diamonds (0.42 ctw)
For more information about the competition and to view the Winner’s Photo Gallery, visit www.jewelers.org/caseawards or contact Jewelers of America’s Member Services at 800-223-0673.
