May 1999

Gemstones & Pearls:News

Regional contests lead to crowning glory

Regional contests lead to crowning glory The best original jewelry designs from U.S. independent retail jewelers went on display as part of the ninth annual Jewelers of America affiliate design competition. The competition is a traditional part of the winter JA International Jewelry Show, held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

The 24 entries won design competitions held by JA's state and regional affiliates during 1998. Each piece is a handcrafted, unique design created by an employee of a JA-member store.

Show attendees voted for Best of Show; winners in individual price categories were chosen by a panel of judges that included manufacturers, jewelry design experts, industry associations and trade press. Judges were asked to base their decision on overall design, marketability, practicality, wearability and craftsmanship. The Best of Show winner receives a trip for two to the summer JA Show Aug. 1-4. All winners receive an engraved walnut plaque recognizing their achievement.

Jewelers of America Inc., New York City; (212) 768-8777, fax (212) 768-8087, jewelersam@aol.com, www.jewelers.org.

Best of Show
R. Jeffrey Dunnington of Designs in Gold, Houston, TX, won with a 5mm, mesh chain necklace featuring a rainbow hematite accentuated with multicolor channel-set sapphires that echo the colors of the hematite.

Category I (retail under $1,000)
The first-place winner was Bruce Campbell of Just Jewelers, Farmington Hills, MI. Campbell created drop earrings in 14k white and yellow gold. Each earring is set with an iolite and a carved garnet.

Category II ($1,000-$3,000)
Robert La Perla of La Perla Ltd., West Hartford, CT, won with a three-strand, dyed pink pearl necklace. The necklace fastens in the front with a platinum and 18k yellow gold clasp that holds a 4.29-ct. pear-shaped rubellite and 0.36 carat of brilliant-cut diamonds.

Category III (over $3,000)
Crystal Viney of Jewelers Workshop, Madison, WI, won this category with a 14k yellow gold necklace and ring. The focus is a 5.74-ct. trilliant-cut tanzanite in a 14k yellow gold mounting that can be worn with the necklace or the ring. The necklace is also set with 0.96 carat of diamond.

– by Lorraine M. Suermann

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