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June 1999 Professional Insider:In The Industry Contests: MJSA Honors Contest Winners Designers define American Vision Six designers won recognition in the 1999 American Vision Jewelry Design competition sponsored by the Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America, Providence, RI. First-place winners received a Royal Diamond Crystal Award; renderings of all winning designs were displayed at Expo New York in March. The student winner also received a $500 scholarship. Entries were judged on originality, creativity, presentation quality, effective use of materials, wearability and the design's perceived manufacturing and marketing potential. Judges were Geri Bondanza of Michael Bondanza Inc., Peter Brams of Jacmel Jewelry Inc. and Carrie Soucy of National Jeweler magazine. Here are the winning designs and the thoughts of the designers. Professional Category
"The links in this bracelet are shaped like X's and O's. The bracelet contains 45 14k gold ring links, 64 square blue topazes and 192 baguette blue topazes. It closes with a foldover clasp."
"The initial focus for this ring is its form: the shape of the metal, the curves in the lines, the surfaces in between. The stone is not meant to take away from the metal, rather to create interest of its own. Because of the size and the unobtrusive location, it is meant to be a surprise discovery to someone who is looking at the rest of the ring. An unexpected area of color and sparkle adds depth to the relatively simple design."
"The basic design of this bracelet was inspired by the seed pod of a plant that grows outside my apartment in Southern California. I wanted to give it a more constructed appearance while retaining the feeling it was derived from nature. A single organic form, arranged, inverted and repeated in a way that gives the piece, as a whole, a somewhat mechanical appearance."
Second place: Jeesuk Oh for a 14k yellow gold and diamond necklace titled "Through the Windows." "This piece is inspired by a traditional Oriental window. A window-shaped element is repeated continuously and creates an asymmetrical balance. A diamond baguette at the end of the piece breaks the simplicity of the pattern while maintaining the balance."
"In the mid-1830s, rings, bracelets, brooches, etc., were often
set with gems whose first letters spelled out a sentiment. In this piece,
regard is spelled with a ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst, ruby and diamond."
John Strobel, a designer in Madison, WI, won first place in the jewelry design competition at the Wisconsin/Illinois Jewelry Expo '99. Strobel's entry featured an 11.5mm Tahitian pearl, a rainbow of colored sapphires and diamond accents. "Tahitian Dream" was his third win in this annual event.
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First Place: Mitch Moschetti for an 18k gold or platinum pendant and
matching earrings.
Second Place: Glen Denzer for a platinum ring with oval amethyst cabochon.
Honorable Mention: Susan Schultz Tobias for a 14k gold and blue topaz
bracelet.
Two First Places: Sophie M. Gardner for a platinum or white gold ring
accented with a blue-green tourmaline.
Sophie M. Gardner for a white metal and diamond bracelet.
Honorable Mention: Holly K. Croft for an 18k gold bracelet titled "Regard"
and featuring ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst and diamond.
