The Women’s Jewelry Association has announced the winners of the 2012–2013 DIVA Design Competition, complete with an additional tier of awards presented in collaboration with the annual American Gem Trade Association Spectrum Design Awards. Both sets of awards were designed to “showcase the beauty of natural gemstones,” according to WJA.
Within the Dazzle DIVA division, judges critiqued hand-drawn sketches, CAD/CAM renderings, and photos of actual jewels. Three winners were named within the categories of Gem DIVA Bridal Wear, Gem DIVA Evening Wear, and Gem DIVA Business/Day Wear.
The allowance of sketches permitted a wide range of designers to enter the contest, whether they could afford to manufacture the piece or not, according to WJA.
Within the Gem DIVA category, live jewelry entries with colored stones or pearls, were entered into the AGTA Spectrum Awards for review by WJA judges across three categories—Gem DIVA Bridal Wear, Gem DIVA Evening Wear, and Gem DIVA Business Day/Day Wear.
WJA partnered with the AGTA this year to honor female designers and their accomplishments within the colored gemstone and pearl category, but also to capitalize on the competition’s cache.
“The quality reputation of the Spectrum competition and the media exposure it receives will provide the talented women who enter the annual WJA DIVA competition an opportunity for greater exposure, and the increased number of female designers who enter Spectrum will add an extra element of excitement to the overall competition,” says Tryna Kochanek, WJA President.
The judges for the Gem DIVA category included Lita Asscher, president, Royal Asscher Diamond Company; Phyllis Bergman, president, Mercury Ring Corp.; and Lorraine DePasque, writer and jewelry expert. The judges for Gem Dazzle included Amber Michelle, editor-in-chief of Rapaport Report; Erica Molinari of Erica Molinari; Jane Bohan of Jane Bohan Jewelry; and Malak Atut of Zaiken Jewelry.
The competition was open to all women, whether or not they were employed in the jewelry industry and whether or not they possess any formal training.
Award Recipients are as follows:
Gem Diva Winners
Bridal Wear
Photo courtesy AGTA
Pamela Froman, Pamela Froman Fine Jewelry, Palladium Ice Princess cuff with 15 cts. t.w. rainbow moonstones with 3.01 cts. t.w. diamonds
Business/Day Wear
Photo courtesy AGTA
Caroline Chartouni, Caroline C, earrings in 18k pink gold with 56.37 cts. t.w. rose quartz drops and 1.99 cts. t.w. diamonds
Classical
Photo courtesy AGTA
Dallas Prince Designs Twilight Blush earrings in 14k rose gold with 30.18 cts. t.w. cushion-cut morganites, 1.60 cts. t.w. black diamonds, and 0.72 ct. t.w. colorless diamonds
Evening Wear
Photo courtesy AGTA
Annie Fensterstock cuff in blackened sterling silver and 22k gold cuff with 11.91 cts. t.w. colorless and fancy colored diamonds and 7.30 cts. t.w. sapphires
Division 2 – Dazzle Diva
Business/Day Wear
Pamela Froman Fine Jewelry ring in 18k pink and white gold with an 8.54 cts. t.w. opalized wood cabochon and Paraiba tourmaline pavé
Honorable Mention, Business/Day Wear
Narges Sadighian, Narges Jewelry Designs, ring in 18k black gold and oxidized sterling silver with a ruby cabochon and diamonds
Evening Wear
Alison Nagasue Gingko Chainmaille cuff in 18k green gold with sapphires and diamonds
Evening Wear Honorable Mention
Lynne Stoner Designs Lace Plume earring in yellow gold with tanzanite pear drops, tanzanite marquise-shape stones, and round tsvaorite accents
Evening Wear Honorable Mention
Richelle Wilson, Earth and Alchemy Fine Jewelry & Accessories, ring in 18k white gold with a 15 ct. t.w. chrome tourmaline and 4 cts. t.w. diamonds
Bridal Wear
Liz Bucheit, Crown Trout Jewelers, Queen for a Day bridal tiara hand-fabricated from sterling silver wire with hand-cut drusy quartz leaves and black and white pearls
Bridal Wear Honorable Mention
Dana Hunter, Portenvie, engagement ring in platinum with a pink sapphire, purple sapphires, and diamond melee
Winners receive a $250 cash award plus a trophy and a subsidized trip to New York City to attend the WJA Awards for Excellence Gala in July 2013.
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