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For the fourth year in a row, I have been a judge in the Jewelers of America CASE Awards jewelry design competition. The annual event recognizes JA members who demonstrate creativity, artistry, style and superb execution in a range of award categories. The winners were announced live at yesterday’s National Virtual Jewelers Convention. Exactly a week ago, I joined Judges Terry Chandler, Diamond Council of America; Deirdre Featherstone, Design of Featherstone; Amanda Gizzi, Jewelers of America; Michelle Graff, National Jeweler; Cheryl Kremkow, obsessed with gems; and Steve Velasquez, Madison Jewelers, for evaluating our top picks from over 100 submissions to arrive at the lineup featured below.
Naturally, things were a little different this year, in that we went through the submissions and digitally voted on our top picks (judgment was blind as always), then got together via GoToMeeting videoconference to discuss. collectively the best candidates in each category. .
Usually this is all done in person and we have the option of touching, flipping, and trying on the parts as part of the process. Not being able to do it this year was a challenge, but it was still fairly easy for us to separate the real wheat from the chaff.
A new category, Suppliers (also known as Independent Designers who provide retailers with original jewelry for sale), has also been introduced in the 2020 edition of the competition. This year two JCK Editor favorites are among the winners: Lori Friedman of Loriann Jewelry and Eve Streicker of Original Eve Designs. (Streicker is also president of the New York Metro chapter of the Women’s Jewelry Association.)
Some inside scoops: There was a heated discussion about the Retailer category from $ 5,001 to $ 10,000 and if it should be the ring that won or a pair of really good gold and diamond earrings. done. We, the judges, were divided in the middle, but ultimately all could agree that the rarity of the fancy cut pink colored padparadscha sapphire and the design choices that were made to amplify its femininity (framing the marquise cut stone in a lace mixed cut diamond necklace, effectively transforming it into a kind of neo-Victorian Valentine’s Day) made it a unique but universally appealing expression of modern romance, whether it was meant to become someone’s engagement ring or a precious personal jewel.
See below for the full list of winning designs – let us know what you think in the comments!
Retailers
Up to $ 2,000
$ 2,001 to $ 5,000
$ 5,001 to $ 10,000
$ 10,001 to $ 50,000
Pictured above: Bracelet with 14.24 ct. tanzanite cut in trillions and 6.07 cts. two platinum diamonds, $ 48,000; David Gardner at David Gardner Jewelers
Suppliers
Up to $ 2,000
$ 2,001 to $ 5,000
$ 5,001 to $ 10,000
$ 10,001 to $ 50,000
Above: The CASE Awards 2020 were sponsored by Synchrony and Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group. The awards competition is only open to employees of JA member companies. Visit the winner’s photo gallery here. All winners receive a personalized CASE Awards trophy and national and local media coverage.
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