GALLERY OF PAST WINNERS

For two decades, Jewelers of America's National Design Competition has honored the talent of independent jewelers. Below are the winners from our most recent competitions.

2011

Buyers’ Choice Best in Show
Brandy Hurt, AVA Goldworks
Brandy Hurt,
AVA Goldworks;
Hannibal, MO
Women’s Jewelry Under $2,000 Retail
Stephen Spicer, Spicer and Company
First Place
Stephen Spicer,
Spicer and Company;
Cookeville, TN
Ziad H. Noshie, Almaza Jewelers
Third Place
Ziad H. Noshie,
Almaza Jewelers;
Houston, TX
Glenn Clark, Glenn Clark
Second Place
Glenn Clark,
Glenn Clark;
Germantown, TN
Mary Beth Morgan Conwell & Scott Weaver, Ray Jewelers
Buyers’ Choice
Mary Beth Morgan Conwell & Scott Weaver,
Ray Jewelers;
Elmira, NY
Women’s Jewelry $2,000 to $5,000 Retail
Jennifer Whitekiller, Naifeh Fine Jewelry
First Place
Jennifer Whitekiller,
Naifeh Fine Jewelry;
Oklahoma City, OK
Ben S. Curtis, trillion rubellite medallion
Third Place
Rita M. Ward,
Lyle Husar Designs;
Brookfield, WI
Ziad H. Noshie, Almaza Jewelers
Second Place
Ziad H. Noshie,
Almaza Jewelers;
Houston, TX
Brandy Hurt, AVA Goldworks
Buyers’ Choice
Brandy Hurt,
AVA Goldworks;
Hannibal, MO
Women’s Jewelry Over $5,000 Retail
Ziad H. Noshie, Almaza Jewelers
First Place
Ziad H. Noshie,
Almaza Jewelers;
Houston, TX
Leo A. Fried, Blue Heron Jewelry Company
Third Place & Buyers’ Choice
Leo A. Fried,
Blue Heron Jewelry Company;
Poulsbo, WA
Cory Vetta, Carleo Creations, Inc.s
Second Place
Cory Vetta,
Carleo Creations, Inc.;
Pueblo, CO
Silver Jewelry
Elizabeth Buenaventura, Martin Kirschenbaum
First Place
Elizabeth Buenaventura,
Martin Kirschenbaum Inc.;
New York, NY
Emily Jones, Art Metals Studio
Third Place & Buyers’ Choice
Emily Jones,
Art Metals Studio;
Racine, WI
Michael Taher, Jewelry by Michael Taher
Second Place
Michael Taher,
Jewelry by Michael Taher;
East Rutherford, NJ
Alternative-Materials Jewelry
Dennis deJonghe, deJonghe Original Jewelry
First Place & Buyers’ Choice
Dennis deJonghe,
deJonghe Original Jewelry;
Saratoga Springs, NY
Ben S. Curtis, trillion rubellite medallion
Second Place
Stephen Spicer,
Spicer and Company;
Cookeville, TN
Men’s Jewelry
Chris Ahee, Edmund T. Ahee Jewelers
First Place & Buyers’ Choice
Chris Ahee,
Edmund T. Ahee Jewelers;
Grosse Point Woods, MI
Yan Shu Djap, Sunshine Jewelry
Third Place
Yan Shu Djap,
Sunshine Jewelry;
Philadelphia, PA
Randall Hurt, AVA Goldworks
Second Place
Randall Hurt,
AVA Goldworks;
Hannibal, MO
All photos by Karen Janowski of Diamond Vision Services, except the image of Jennifer Whitekiller’s piece taken by Quadras Integrated.


 
2010
Bernie Benavidez, tanzanite pendant
Buyer’s Choice Award
Bernie Benavidez,
Master Jewelers;
Rochester, MN
5.64-carat “Royal Silk Blue” tanzanite pendant.
Ben S. Curtis, trillion rubellite medallion
Category II ($1,001 & $3,000)
Ben S. Curtis,
Kelley Jewelers;
Weatherford, OK
A trillion rubellite medallion pendant.
Treva Roberts, tourmalinated quartz pendant
Category I ($1,000 & Under)
Treva Roberts,
None Other Goldsmiths;
Gahanna, OH
A 9.44-carat tourmalinated quartz pendant.
Ziad H. Noshie, jewelry set in mother of pearl
Category III ($3,001 & Over)
Ziad H. Noshie,
Almaza Jewelers;
Houston, TX
Handmade jewelry set featuring mother of pearl and multi-colored sapphires.
2010 photos by Karen Janowski of Diamond Vision Services



2009
Mark Abbott, Hand-sculpted black jade pendant
Buyer’s Choice Award
Mark Abbott,
Mark Abbott Jewelers;
Powell, OH
Hand-sculpted black jade pendant with diamond and opals.
Jason Baskin, 21.54-carat African cuprian tourmaline
Category III ($3,001 & Over)
Jason Baskin,
The Gem Vault;
Flemington, NJ
14K white gold pendant with a 21.54-carat African cuprian tourmaline.
Jonathan Smiddy, A rutilated quartz pendant
Category I ($1,000 & Under)
Jonathan Smiddy,
Regan Jewelers;
Garden City, KS
A rutilated quartz pendant.
Randall R. Hurt, Tahitian pearl necklace
Category III ($3,001 & Over)
Randall R. Hurt,
AVA Goldworks;
Hannibal, MO
Tahitian pearl necklace with oyster-like pendant.
Bill Wismar, Handmade 14K gold necklace
Category II ($1,001 – $3,000)
Bill Wismar,
Metal Benders Jewelry Gallery;
Fairhope, AL
Handmade 14K gold necklace with gemstones and pavé diamonds.
2009 photos by Karen Janowski of Diamond Vision Services



2008
Dale Hurt, Pendant with tanzanite
Buyer’s Choice Award
Dale Hurt,
Gold-N-Designs;
Lee’s Summit, MO
Pendant with tanzanite, pink tourmaline, opal doublet and diamonds.
Joel Wiland, Large blue topaz pendant
Category II ($1,001 – $3,000)
Joel Wiland,
J. David Jewelry;
Broken Arrow, OK
Large blue topaz pendant on white-gold omega chain.
Steven Kistner, 14K white gold gentleman’s ring
Category I ($1,000 & Under)
Steven Kistner,
Steven Paul Designs;
Delafield, WI
14K white gold gentleman’s ring inlayed with black onyx and diamonds.

Ziad H. Noshie, Necklace and earrings
Category III ($3,001 and Over)
Ziad H. Noshie,
Almaza Jewelers;
Houston, TX
Necklace and earrings with more than 600 pavé-set diamonds and freshwater pearls.



   
2007
David Holloway, Yellow and white gold pendant
Buyer’s Choice Award & Category I ($1,000 and Under)
David Holloway,
Swift’s Jewelry;
Fayetteville, AR
Yellow and white gold pendant with amethyst trillion, tanzanite and diamonds.
Gerard Faini, Ring in 18K
Category III ($3,001 and Over)
Gerard Faini,
Faini Designs Jewelry Studio;
Sioux Falls, SD
Ring in 18K white and yellow gold, with natural fancy yellow diamond.
Marcus Gillihan, Ring in 14K white gold
Category II ($1,001 – $3,000)
Marcus Gillihan,
Shelton Jewelers;
Albuquerque, NM
Ring in 14K white gold with tourmaline and diamonds.

MORE INFORMATION

Official Guidelines:
complete details on competition requirements, schedule and benefits
Photo Gallery of Winners:
see the winning JA-member jewelry pieces from past years