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Jewelers of America (JA) held its annual national retailer design competition at the JA New York Winter Show last week and selected five winners for the annual CASE Awards. Many of the winning pieces were hand fabricated with intricate designs that reflected current trends such as mixed metals, nature-themed elements and fancy-cut stones.
“Each year, Jewelers of America uses the CASE Awards retail design competition to shine a national spotlight on the craft and creativity of independent jewelers,” said JA's president and CEO, David J. Bonaparte. “The jewelry entered into the CASE Awards highlights the fine craftsmanship that consumers can find in Jewelers of America-member stores nationwide.”
The winners were chosen from 54 entries and determined by a judging panel of industry experts who selected entries from a specific area of concentration. Voting in the category of Buyers’ Choice was open to all JA New York attendees on a separate ballot. CASE Award winners receive a trophy from JA.
The 2015 CASE Awards winners
Jewelry valued up to $2,000
First Place
18-karat yellow gold pendant featuring two moonstones and a pear-shape labradorite
Dianna High
Dianna Rae Jewelry
Lafayette, Louisiana
Jewelry valued between $2,001 and $5,000
First Place
14-karat white gold “Zephyr” necklace with channel-set round brilliant diamonds (0.55 total carat weight)
Susan Drake
Spectrum Fine Jewelry
Wilmington, North Carolina
Jewelry valued between $5,001 and $10,000
First Place
Platinum and 18-karat rose gold ring featuring 48 diamonds and fancy brown diamonds (0.87 total carat weight)
Sarkis Sarkissian
Giraux Fine Jewelry
San Francisco, California
Jewelry valued over $10,000
First Place
14-karat gold wedding ring with a 2.02-carat Asscher-cut diamond and 40 baguette and brilliant-cut diamonds
Lisa Perantoni
Khamis Fine Jewelers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Buyers’ Choice
Carved butterfly pin with watermelon tourmaline wings and 84 accent diamonds
Kiera Baines
Dianna Rae Jewelry
Lafayette, Louisiana
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