The Georgia Jewelers Association (GJA) annual Jewelry Design Contest was held recently at the Brasstown Valley Resort in the North Georgia Mountains. The Design Contest took place during the association’s annual Convention. Awards were given in four different value categories as well as best of show. The winning selections are chosen based on overall design, marketability, practicality and wearability, and craftsmanship. A panel of judges selected the winners for each category.
Best of Show, was awarded to Paul Henriques of JWR Jewelers in Athens. His jade and tsavorite garnet pendant was the overall winner from all categories. The two main sections of the pendant are articulated in the middle by a 14kt white gold tube with emerald cabochons in yellow gold bezels capping each end. The upper section is a circular white gold rim with pave set brilliants around the cutout of a four leaf clover. Within the cutout are four trillion cut tsavorite garnets with tapered baguette diamonds between them. They culminate at the center with a canary yellow brilliant. The lower section has an isosceles triangular cut ‘Maw Sit Sit Jade’ stone, set in a yellow gold fancy bezel. As Best of Show, Henrique’s piece will be entered in the JA Show in New York next year.
Best of Show in the GJA Design Contest was awarded to Paul Henriques of JWR Jewelers in Athens for this jade and tsavorite garnet pendant. (image left)
Other category winners included:
Category 1A (material values under $300) First place: Jana Barry, Edward-Johns Jewelers, Marietta, for her sterling silver tree, chalcedony and moonstone “Night Sky” pendant. Second place, tied: Chelsea Bentley, TK Anderson, Athens, and Mikheil Kautengzhi of Tena’s Jewelry, Elberton; third place: Johnny Johnson, Edward-Johns Jewelers, Marietta.
Category 1B (material values from $301 to $1,000) First place: Mikheil Kautengzhi of Tena’s Jewelry, Elberton, for his 18kt white, yellow and rose gold ring featuring an oval mystic topaz and hand engraving. Second place: Eddie Knox, Knox Jewelers, Atlanta, third place, tied: Chelsea Bentley, TK Anderson, Athens, Melbry Collins, JD Jewelers, Suwanee, and Anna Johnson, Edward Johns Jewelers, Marietta.
Category 2 (material values from $1001 to $3000) first place: Paul Henriques, JWR Jewelers, Athens for his ‘Sea & Surf” boulder opal & diamond pendant in 14kt white gold. The sea blue colored opal is cut in a free form shape and weighs 8.48 ct. Second place: Chelsea Bentley, TK Anderson, Athens; third place, tied: Melbry Collins, JD Jewelers, Suwanee, Anna Johnson, Edward Johns Jewelers, Marietta, and Johnny Johnson, Edward Johns Jewelers, Marietta.
Category 3 (material values over $3001) first place: Tammy Williams, JD Jewelers, Suwanee, for her ruby bead necklace with 160+ carats of faceted natural corundum beads and a 2.50 carat heart shaped diamond. Second place: Johnny Johnson, Edward Johns Jewelers, Marietta; third place: Virginia Anderson, TK Anderson, Athens.
The People’s Choice Tommy Barr Award went to Melbry Collins of JD Jewelers, Suwanee. This award is a popular vote by Convention attendees, and is named in honor of Tommy Barr, a past president of Georgia Jewelers Association who did much not only for GJA but for the jewelry industry. Collins piece was a four strand necklace of natural and untreated zircons enhancing three center stones of natural color diamonds including a 3⁄4 carat GIA certified grey diamond.
The GJA Design Contest People’s Choice Tommy Barr Award went to Melbry Collins of JD Jewelers, Suwanee, GA.
For details about Georgia Jewelers Jewelry Design Contest or for information about GJA, contact Judy Lince, executive director at 770-424-7567.
