Headlines

MJSA Announces 2017 Vision Award Winners (Take a Look at These Designs)

Published

7 years ago

May 23, 2017

INSTORE Staff

They’re being honored for design excellence.

MJSA, the U.S. trade association dedicated to professional excellence in jewelry making and design, has honored 10 outstanding designs in its 2017 MJSA Vision Awards competition. Celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and technological prowess, the awards recognize both professional and student achievements.

In addition to cash awards, gift certificates for tools and supplies and (for the students) scholarship funds, the winners will be profiled in the August issue of MJSA Journal and promoted through ads in both INSTORE and Metalsmith (the competition’s media sponsors). All of the winning entries will be on display at the 2018 MJSA Expo at the Javits Center in New York.

This year’s Vision Awards judges were: Michael Coan, chair emeritus of the jewelry design department, Fashion Institute of Technology; Ann Cahoon, jewelry making and repair department head, North Bennet Street School; Victoria Gomelsky, editor of JCK magazine; consultant/author Marlene Richey; and jewelry designers Michael Bondanza and Barbara Heinrich.

The 2017 Vision Awards sponsors were Century Casting (Custom Design Distinction), Gemvision/Stuller (CAD/CAM Distinction), LaserStar Technologies (Laser Distinction), Rio Grande (General Sponsor), Richline Group (Responsible Practices Distinction), the MJSA Education Foundation (Future of the Industry Award), and INSTORE, The Retail Jeweler, and Metalsmith magazines (Media Sponsors).

Below are the winners. More information is available here.

1st Place Design Excellence

(4+ Years in Business)

Orsolya Ráski Nagy and Daniel Nagy, Splendor-Jewellery, Budakeszi, Hungary

Splendor Garden Ring 2 sides

1st Place Design Excellence

(1-3 Years in Business)

Zoe Zong, ZoeZong LLC, McKinney, TX

Zoe Zong Supernova Earrings

1st Place CAD/CAM Distinction

Ricardo Basta, Ricardo Basta Fine Jewelry, Los Angeles, CA

Ricardo Basta Bat Ring

1st Place Laser Distinction

Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry, Laguna Beach, CA Adam Neeley Rouge Moderne Earrings

1st Place Responsible Practices Distinction

Leo Fried, Blue Heron Jewelry Co., Poulbo, WA Leo Fried 878

1st Place Custom Design Distinction

Brenda Smith, Brenda Smith Jewelry LLC, Woodstock, GA Brenda Smith In the Garden Necklace

1st Place Future of the Industry

(Student)

Kwan Cheuk Ying (Aimee Kwan), Hong Kong Design Institute, Hong Kong Aimee Kwan Sun and Moon Earrings

2nd Place Design Excellence

(4+ Years in Business)

Patrick Nelson and Mary Kay Mohs, Patrick Mohs Jewelry, Wayzata, MN Patrick Mohs Night Sky Necklace

2nd Place Design Excellence

(1-3 Years in Business)

Zoe Zong, ZoeZong LLC, McKinney, TX Zoe Zong Contrast Brooch RE

2nd Place Future of the Industry

(Student)

Maneli Sarmadi, Savannah College of Art & Design, Savannah, GA Maneli Sarmadi Sweet Spell Necklace

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