The Texas Jewelers Association (TJA) announced the winners of its 25th Annual Design Competition at their 2017 Convention in Austin, Texas.
Best in Show honors went to Michael Von Krenner for his 14k white gold and pink gold earrings with diamonds, tsavorites and purple sapphires.
Additional honorees include:
Category 1
Materials less than $1000
1st place – Michael Von Krenner
14k white gold ring with raw natural diamonds. The center stone spins.
2nd place – Ziad Noshie, Almaza Jewelers
“Bumpy Road” pendant, handmade hammered pendant made of 18k green gold, platinum and 18k rose gold. 3 Japanese Akoya pearls and 16 full cut pavé set diamonds (.023 ctw)
3rd place – Dwayne Bandy, Monkfish Forge
Onyx pendant
Category 2
Materials $1000 – $3000
1st place – Steve Kriechbaum, Steve Kriechbaum Goldsmith
Amethyst ring
2nd place – Dwayne Bandy, Monkfish Forge
“Falling Star” pendant, cast sterling silver, 22k yellow gold bezel, 23 keum boo, star rutilated quartz, natural yellow sapphires, single diamonds (.33 ctw.)
3rd place – Michael Von Krenner
14k white gold pendant with raw natural diamonds.
Category 3
Materials over $3000
1st place – Michael Von Krenner
14k white and pink gold earrings with diamonds, tsavorites and purple sapphires (also won Best of Show, pictured above).
2nd place – Ziad Noshie, Almaza Jewelers
“Full Moon” necklace, handmade necklace made of 18k green gold and rose gold. 3 flat polished pieces of white mother-of-pearl and 156 full cut pavé set diamonds (1.28 carats.)
Category 4
Bench Jewelers Exclusive
1st place – Ziad Noshie, Almaza Jewelers
“Great Barrier Reed” necklace, made with 50 pieces of natural red Sardinia coral branches and 76 black Tahitian Keshi pearls. Handmade 18k yellow gold clasp and 18k yellow gold wires wrapped around the coral branches. There are multicolored sapphires, rubies and diamonds set in individual tubings. (84 sapphires, 3.36 ctw; 13 rubies, .43 ctw; 14 diamonds .45 ctw)
2nd place – Dwayne Bandy, Monkfish Forge
Aquamarine Bullet pendant, fabricated sterling silver, 23k keum boo, 22k yellow gold bezel, aquamarine bullet cabochon. .16 ctw diamonds.
Student Category
1st place – Karla Hoover
Abstract leaf pendant in 18k gold and reticulated sterling silver.
2nd place – Carter Porter
Fabricated sterling silver with a round cz.
For more information contact the Texas Jewelers Association at www.texasjewelers.org, info@texasjewelers.org or 512-478-2595.
