Jewelers of America Unveils CASE Award Winners

RAPAPORT... Jewelers of America (JA) has announced the winners of its 31st annual CASE Awards for jewelry design, recognizing retail members whose pieces feature creativity, artistry, style and excellence.This year, JA expanded the prizes to include 14 different categories after a record number of entries, it said Tuesday. A panel of judges chose the honorees from nearly 200 applicants, evaluating overall design, marketability, originality and manufacturing quality. That compares to just over 100 submissions in 2020. "Jewelers of America's CASE Awards design competition showcases the fine craftsmanship and talent of JA members across the country," said JA spokesperson Amanda Gizzi. "Judging was incredibly difficult this year, as we had a wide variety of immensely talented jewelry designers enter in every category. The judges had to carefully consider the judging criteria, and it had to come down to the finest details to determine the winners."Winners receive a customized CASE award trophy and national and local media coverage.The winners were as follows:Engagement Rings Up to $5,000Ben Bridge JewelerSeattle, WADesigned by Angela HopeDiamond engagement ring inspired by the sunrise, made of 14-karat palladium alloyed recycled white gold with baguette diamonds.Engagement Rings $5,001 and UpOmi Priv?(C)West Covina, CADesigned by Niveet NagpalPlatinum ring featuring an oval, 8.86-carat, blue moonstone accented by pear-shaped Paraiba-type tourmalines, round Paraiba tourmalines and round diamonds.Earrings Up to $5,000Le VianGreat Neck, NYDesigned by Eddie LeVian14-karat yellow gold earrings with natural pink and white freshwater pearls and natural carved prehnite leaves.Earrings $5,001 and UpGraziela GemsHighwood, ILDesigned by Graziela KaufmanBlue sapphire earrings set in 18-karat blue rhodium gold.Necklaces Up to $5,000Lilly StreetOld Brookville, NYDesigned by Lynn GambinoMini Capulet necklace in 18-karat pink gold with natural Herkimer crystals and a ruby center.Necklaces $5,001 and Up (tied)Brody DesignsStevens Point, WIDesigned by Mike Anderson57-carat carved untreated Colorado blue topaz necklace in 14-karat white gold.SchullinGraz, AustriaDesigned by Hans SchullinNecklace made of red Mediterranean coral branches, silver sheen obsidian cabochons and brilliant-cut diamonds, set in 18-karat rose gold.Bracelets Up to $5,000SchullinGraz, AustriaDesigned by Hans SchullinGreen galuchat cuff with a branch of oval-cut, green tourmalines and brilliant-cut, white diamonds in 18-karat fair-trade rose gold.Bracelets $5,001 and UpValaniNew York, NYDesigned by Heena ShahBracelet in 18-karat white gold set with 14 brilliant-cut rubies, 30 trillion-cut rubies, 56 marquise-cut diamonds, 14 pear-shaped diamonds and 490 brilliant-cut diamonds.Rings Up to $5,000Steven Paul DesignsDelafield, WIDesigned by Steven KistnerProsthetic eye set in sterling silver with mechanism to open and close eye.Rings $5,001 and UpAlexandra MorNew York, NYDesigned by Alexandra MorOne-of-a-kind wide eternity band featuring hexagon-cut, 15.27-carat Muzo-mine Colombian emeralds and diamonds set in platinum on an 18-karat yellow gold Alexandra Mor logo gallery.Pins/Brooches/Cufflinks (any price)The Gem VaultFlemington, NJDesigned by Sharon Curtiss-Gal and William BrewerOregon Sunstones from the Dust Devil mine in Plush, Oregon, surrounded by pink spinels and accented by tsavorites and round diamonds in 18-karat yellow gold.Wedding Bands Up to $5,000Gabriel & Co.New York, NYDesigned by Gabriel & Co.14-karat white gold wide anniversary band with rough and baguette diamonds.Wedding Bands $5,001 and UpLe VianGreat Neck, NYDesigned by Eddie LeVianPlatinum and 18-karat yellow gold accent ring with 18 natural fancy-light-yellow diamonds.Other (non-jewelry items made of precious metals or stones, any price)Samuel B CollectionGreat Neck, NYDesigned by Samuel Behnam and Neda BenhamOxidized sterling silver ballpoint pen with faceted black spinel endcap.Image: The winning design by Niveet Nagpal for Omi Priv?(C). (Jewelers of America)