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PHOTOS: See Winning Pieces from Jewelers of America’s National Retailer Design Competition

Published

9 years ago

March 30, 2016

INSTORE Staff

CASE Awards recognize retail members who exhibit creativity and excellence in jewelry design.

Jewelers of America recently held its annual national retailer design competition at the JA New York Spring Show. The CASE Awards, the association says, recognize JA retail members “who exhibit creativity, artistry, style and excellence in jewelry design.” Many of the winning pieces feature hand-fabricated designs with unique stone settings that reflect current trends in both bridal and fashion jewelry.

Winners were selected out of 42 entries from JA Retail Members for five categories: Jewelry up to $2000; $2001-$5000; $5001-$10000; over $10,000 (retail values) and Buyers’ Choice.

The winners were determined by a judging panel of industry experts who judged the entries in a specific area of concentration. Voting in the category of Buyers’ Choice was open to all JA New York attendees with a separate ballot. CASE Award winners received a trophy from JA.

PHOTOS: See Winning Pieces from Jewelers of America’s National Retailer Design Competition

Jewelry up to $2,000 and Buyers Choice
First Place
Sterling silver ring featuring an 8.70 carat oval blue chalcedony cabochon with 10 lavender round cut sapphires (0.61 ctw)
Lisa Perantoni Khamis
Fine Jewelers | Indianapolis, IN

Jewelry $2,001 to $5,000
First Place
14K white and rose gold and 18K yellow gold pendant featuring a 3.73 carat orange sapphire surrounded by graduated color orange to yellow melee sapphires
Jason Baskin
The Gem Vault | Flemington, NJ

Jewelry $5,001 to $10,000
First Place
9.26 carat opal ring surrounded by
36 tsavorites (0.38 ctw)
set in 18K yellow gold
Ricardo Basta
Ricardo Basta Fine Jewelry | Los Angeles, CA

Jewelry $10,000 and Over
First Place
Hand-fabricated 14K rose gold ring featuring a 2.52 carat rose cut pear center stone surrounded by round cut diamonds (1.45 ctw) and round black diamonds (0.34 ctw)
Jess Roussel
Roussel’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts | Gramercy, LA

You Wouldn’t Cut Your Own Hair. Why Run Your Own Retirement Sale?

After being in business for over a quarter of a century, Wayne Reid, owner of Wayne Jewelers in Wayne, Pennsylvania, decided it was time for a little “me time.” He says, “I’ve reached a point in my life where it’s time to slow down, enjoy a lot of things outside of the jewelry industry. It just seemed to be the right time.” He chose Wilkerson to handle his retirement sale because of their reputation and results. With financial goals exceeded, Reid says he made the right choice selecting Wilkerson to handle the sale. “They made every effort to push our jewelry to the forefront of the showcases,” he says, lauding Wilkerson for their finesse and expertise. Would he recommend them to other jewelers who want to make room for new merchandise, expand their business or like him, decide to call it a day? Absolutely he says, equating trying to do this kind of sale with cutting your own hair. “The results are going to happen but not as well as if you have a professional like Wilkerson do the job for you.”