(PRESS RELEASE)New York — The Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC), a nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of Black professionals in the gem, jewelry and watch industry, announces Patricia Carruth, founder & co-owner of Your Personal Jeweler, as the winning designer for BIJC’s Together By Design Contest. The two-part contest and competition began in October 2021 with the selection of one couple’s love story. That love story was then center stage for the jewelry design competition, where BIJC members competed to design a ring for the lucky couple.
“[This competition] entailed doing my favorite part of my business, creating a custom engagement ring based on a couple’s love story,” said Carruth. “I want them to feel like I’ve captured the essence of their love and translated it into a beautiful physical token for her to cherish.”
Featuring a 1.31-carat GIA-graded diamond – donated by Leo Schachter – Carruth designed a gorgeous ring that incorporates elements of the couple’s love story. While the exact design details are being kept under wraps until the proposal, the ring features 14-Karat yellow gold with the 1.31-carat round center diamond and two radiant-cut accent diamonds. Carruth’s craftsmanship is seen in the details of the piece, it was designed with heirloom quality in mind.
“At BIJC, we believe in ‘shining together’ and this competition did just that. It created a platform for a couple to share their love story and for Patricia to express her creativity to the max by bringing their story to life through her design,” said Annie Doresca, BIJC Co-founder and President. “What is most rewarding for BIJC is that throughout each area of this contest and competition, it showed representation of Black love and the talented Black designers in the jewelry industry. We would like to thank our Together by Design committee, our sponsors, and everyone who was involved in this project. Professionals from all areas throughout the industry came together for this purpose and we are truly grateful.”
BIJC’s Together By Design Competition brought together professionals in the jewelry industry and created a platform where Black jewelry designers could show off their skills for the opportunity to win a package of industry resources. The prize package included $5,000 cash, scholarship for 1 two-hour GIA online Continuing Education Seminar, scholarship for 1 Basic Tuition at GRS for Engraving or Stone Setting, scholarship for 1 Basic Tuition at New Approach School in Tennessee, one year of Jewelers of America membership and one year of JVC membership.
“Having a community of industry professionals that looks like me means a lot. It’s something I don’t take for granted. When my grandfather entered the jewelry industry, he did not have a community like me,” said Carruth.
Judges of the Together By Design Jewelry competition include: Jennifer Gandia, co-owner ofGreenwich St. Jewelers; Ronke Nedd, founder and creative head at Rebecca Noff Designs Inc.; Sheryl Jones, Sheryl Jones Inc.; and Marla Aaron, Marla Aaron Jewelry.