Ides Fine Jewelry (First Place)
Ornata Ophidia stacking rings are a fitted set of two in 14K yellow gold featuring a snake design with pear-shape lab grown diamonds (0.47 TCW) and teal sapphires (0.105 TCW), $3,600
Sunlight Premier by Ferris (Second Place)
Skyborn Serpent pendant in 14K yellow gold features Sleeping Beauty turquoise and F-color, VS1-clarity diamonds (0.016 TCW), $10,250
Tempus Metals (Third Place)
Intertwined Double Snake-motif ring in 18K yellow gold with VS-clarity colorless diamonds (0.19 TCW), $2,850
Yael Designs (Retailer’s Choice)
Vipera necklace in 14K yellow gold has a snake motif, an 11.93-carat emerald-cut amethyst, diamonds (0.04 TCW) and rubies (0.01 TCW), $3,386
Four Decades of Excellence: How Wilkerson Transformed a Jeweler's Retirement into Celebration
After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years."
Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations.
The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.
