KUDOS!

Congratulations go to Karen Feldman of Feldman Design Fine Jewelers, Emmaus, Pa., for taking first place in the Pennsylvania Jewelers Association design competition. Her winning piece was a 14k white and yellow gold brooch featuring a yellow sapphire, Vietnamese pink sapphire, mandarin garnet, and princess-cut diamond. Second- and third-place awards in the competition went to Ellen Bear of Buddy Bear Jewelers in Merion, Pa.

The Hawaii Jewelers Association recently sponsored two design contests. First prize in the diamond jewelry design contest went to Jock Goodman of Kamuela Goldsmiths, Kamuela, Hawaii, for an 18k yellow gold and platinum women’s ring with a center round brilliant diamond, .49 ct., and diamond melee. Second prize was awarded to Carrie Nottage Smith of the Rainbow Collection, Honolulu, for an 18k gold and platinum bracelet. Designer Roxanne Beebee of the Dolphin Galleries in Lahaina, Maui, received third prize for a 14k yellow and white gold chain mail anklet accented with seven diamonds.

First prize in the pearl jewelry design contest went to Cathleen Bunt of Kihei, Maui, for a multicolored Tahitian pearl necklace with 21 pearls and 264 diamonds. Second prize was given to Travis Duggan of Black Pearl Gallery, Honolulu, for an 18k yellow gold and diamond pendant representing the New Year’s ball falling on Times Square. A 10.5-mm Tahitian black pearl moves up and down the frame. Duggan also received the 1998 Designer of the Year Award. Finally, third prize was presented to Dana Romsdal of the Goldsmith’s Gallery in Kapaa, Kauai. Her “Whirlwind” pendant was crafted in 18k yellow gold and 14k white gold, with a 12.7-mm South Seas pearl and a triangular diamond accent.

CONTEST PAIRS – AMBER AND DIAMONDS

The deadline to enter the Amberif Design Award ’99, an international contest for amber jewelry design, is Feb. 15.

Entrants are required to design a set of jewelry in amber and diamond. A set is defined as two pieces of jewelry, one of which must be a ring. The combination of amber and diamond should be the focal point of the design. No other materials are allowed, and the amber used must be natural, with no treatment other than cutting and polishing. Total diamond weight must not exceed 2 cts., and the individual diamond size maximum is .30 ct.

Each participant may submit a maximum of two entries. First prize will be U.S. $2,500. The amber prize will be 2 kg of row amber, and the silver prize will be 3 kg of silver.

For more information, contact Eva Rachon, Miedzynarowdowe Targl Gdanskie SA, Gdansk International Fair Co., 5 Beniowskiego Street, 80-382 Gdansk, Poland; (48-58) 552 3600; fax (48-58) 552 2168; e-mail: sekretariat@mtgsa.com.pl.

PEARL COMPETITION – GAINS TWO SPONSORS

Japan Black Pearl Promotion and the South Sea Pearl Consortium have both been added to the list of award sponsors for the 1999 International Pearl Design Contest (IPDC). Their addition brings the total number of contest sponsors to nine.

Deadline for entering the contest is Feb. 23. Judging will take place in March in Tokyo. New prize categories are best design utilizing black pearls and best design utilizing South Seas pearls.

For information, contact the Cultured Pearl Information Center, (212) 688-5580, Ext. 210.