Jewelers of America Announces 2023 CASE Award Winners

(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK — Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, has announced the winners of its 33rd annual CASE Awards jewelry design competition. The CASE Awards, JA’s national design competition, recognizes JA Members who exhibit creativity, artistry, style and excellence in jewelry design.

First place winners were selected out of over 150 entries in eight categories; categories were separated for JA retail members and JA supplier members: Jewelry up to $2,000, $2,001 to $5,000, $5,001 to $10,000, and $10,001 to $50,000 (retail values). One retail and one supplier entry were also named Best in Show.

“Jewelers of America’s CASE Awards design competition highlights the fine craftsmanship, creativity, and talent of Jewelers of America member designers and bench jewelers,” says Amanda Gizzi, spokesperson for Jewelers of America. “The winners in each category are incredible examples of what consumers can expect to find at their local Jewelers of America Member store.”

The winners in each category were determined by a panel of design experts who evaluated the entries on the following criteria: overall design, marketability, originality and quality of manufacture. Judges included Tanya Dukes, writer; Lenore Fedow, National Jeweler; Amanda Gizzi, Jewelers of America; Helena Krodel, David Alan Jewelry; Adrianne Sanogo, Black in Jewelry Coalition and GIA Graduate Gemologist; and Steve Velasquez, Madison Jewelers.

All winners will receive a customized CASE Award trophy and national and local media coverage.

The 2023 CASE Awards are sponsored by Synchrony and Aurora Payments. CASE Awards is open to employees of JA Member companies. For more information about the competition and to view the Winner’s Photo Gallery, visit here or contact Jewelers of America’s Member Services at (800) 223-0673.

The 2023 CASE Award Winners are:

Retailer: Jewelry up to $2,000
Wright’s Jewelry
Designed by Jennifer Beatty
Fallston, NC
14K white gold “Lotta Love” ring containing 13 marquise diamonds ranging from (1) .47CT, (7) .40CT. (1) .19CT, (4) .12CT totaling 1.18ctw. This ring was created from 3 separate rings from special men in her life.
$2,000

Retailer: Jewelry $2,001 to $5,000
Avianti Jewelry Designs
Designed by Ani Babayan and Avi Babayan
La Cañada, CA
14K yellow gold necklace featuring a 78.67 carat Boulder Opal with green-blue and black hues and 42 round natural pavé diamonds. The necklace has a paper clip Italian chain attached on both sides of the stone.
$4,980

Retailer: Jewelry $5,001 to $10,000
Schullin
Designed by Marianne Köle and Laura Thomann
Graz, Austria
This ring features a 11.09 carat teardrop cut citrine and a total of 62 brilliant cut diamonds of 0.36ct (G/VS1) set in 18K rose gold
$5,580

Retailer: Jewelry $10,001 to $50,000
Schullin
Designed by Hans Schullin and Laura Thomann
Graz, Austria
18K rose gold “Smile” necklace with a total of 144 brilliant cut diamonds of 3.06ct (G/VS1) are pavé set in every other arch. In the center, the necklace features a diamond-set 18K white gold smile and 12 orange sapphires of 1.80ct
$21,900

Retailer: Best in Show
Giraux Fine Jewelry
Designed by Sarkis Sarkissian
San Francisco, CA
Platinum ring containing a heat treated 9.05 ct. octagonal step cut natural sapphire, prong set with 2 antique cut marquise (1.10 ctw) and 2 round brilliant cut diamonds (0.17 ctw) 
$40,000

Supplier: Jewelry up to $2,000
Jorge Valdes Fine Jewelry
Designed by Jorge Valdes
Astoria, NY
18K rose gold Sparks studs with round white diamonds (0.14 ctw, F/VS quality) 
$1,495

Supplier: Jewelry $2,001 to $5,000
Martha Seely Design
Designed by Martha Seely
Carlisle, MA
Stardust Dangle Earrings in 14K white gold with tanzanites (5.8 ctw), sapphires, (3.20 ctw), and diamonds (1.35 ctw)
$4,775

Supplier: Jewelry $5,001 to $10,000
Tabayer
Designed by Tabayer 
Miami, FL
Handcrafted 18K fairmined rose gold Oera ring with a 1.32 carat brown diamond 
$6,400

Supplier: Jewelry $10,001 to $50,000
Renisis
Designed by Sardwell
New York, NY
18K yellow gold Guardian Gold Temple Pendant with a central golden South Sea Pearl framed with diamond patterns and on the back, shibori inspired cut out designs in platinum. The back of the pearl is also framed with a cherry blossom motif. The Pendant hangs from a strand of golden ombre 9-11mm South Sea Pearls and 18K clasp with Akoya pearls and diamond pave.
$38,000

Supplier: Best in Show
Katherine Jetter Ltd.
Designed by Katherine Jetter
Nantucket, MA
Unicorn ring featuring a square emerald cut tanzanite (11.77ct), tapered baguette diamonds (1.15ct), and ombre blue sapphire (2.01ct) set in 18K yellow gold and blue rhodium finish. 
$39,300