RAPAPORT... Ten jewelry designers from three different countries have
received the Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA) Vision
Award, which honors outstanding creativity, craftsmanship and technological
prowess in the field.
“The winning designers represent the future of the jewelry
manufacturing industry, and the Vision Awards competition showcases their
creativity and boosts their careers,” said MJSA, which announced the winners on
Tuesday.
Prizes include cash and gift certificates for tools and
supplies, as well as book packages and scholarships for students, the trade
body said. MJSA also provides the award recipients with publicity, helps them create promotions
for targeted customers, and displays their work at the annual MJSA Expo show in
New York.
This year’s judges were Michael Coan, chair emeritus of the
jewelry design department at the Fashion Institute of Technology; Ann Cahoon,
head of the jewelry-making and repair department at North Bennet Street School;
Victoria Gomelsky, editor of JCK magazine; consultant and author Marlene
Richey; and jewelry designers Michael Bondanza and Barbara Heinrich.
Former winners include leading designers such as Todd Reed,
Mark Schneider, Steve Midgett and Lisa Krikawa, MJSA added.
The 2017 winners of the Vision Awards are:
First Place, Professional Excellence, 4+ Years in
Business:
Orsolya Ráski Nagy and Daniel Nagy of Splendor Jewellery
in Budakeszi, Hungary, for their nature-inspired 18-karat yellow gold “Garden” ring
featuring a cushion-cut green prasiolite (pictured).
Second Place, Professional Excellence, 4+ Years in
Business:
Patrick Nelson and Mary Kay Mohs of Patrick Mohs Jewelry
in Wayzata, Minnesota, for their “Night Sky” necklace.
First Place, Professional Excellence, 1-3 Years in
Business:
Zoe Zong of ZoeZong LLC in McKinney, Texas, for her “Supernova”
earrings.
Second Place, Professional Excellence, 1-3 Years in
Business:
Zoe Zong of ZoeZong LLC in McKinney, Texas, for her
futuristic silver “Contrast” brooch with inlaid zircon and topaz.
Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing Distinction:
Ricardo Basta of Ricardo Basta Fine Jewelry in Los
Angeles for his 18-karat yellow gold “Bat” ring. It features gray 18-karat palladium
bats, diamond appliques, and a pink tourmaline center stone.
Laser Distinction:
Adam Neeley of Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry in Laguna
Beach, California, for his “Rouge Moderne” earrings, which showcase red zircons
set in rose, white and yellow gold accented with kite-shaped diamonds.
Custom Design Distinction:
Brenda Smith of Brenda Smith Jewelry LLC in Woodstock,
Georgia, for her “In the Garden” pearl necklace, which was hand-fabricated in
18-karat gold wire to sit on the shoulder, collar-like.
Responsible Practices Distinction:
Leo Fried of Blue Heron Jewelry Co. in Poulsbo,
Washington, for his tanzanite-and-diamond white-gold ring.
First Place, Future of the Industry Award (for
students):
Kwan Cheuk Ying of Hong Kong Design Institute in Hong
Kong, China, for “Sun and Moon” earrings, featuring 14-karat yellow gold, orange moonstone,
and blue moonstone.
Second Place, Future of the Industry Award:
Maneli Sarmadi of Savannah College of Art & Design
for the “Sweet Spell” necklace.
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