Jewelry trade association MJSA has announced the winners of its 2017 MJSA Vision Awards design competition—and the 10 winning designs certainly embody the creativity, craftsmanship, and technological know-how the annual awards have come to represent.

Judges for this year’s competition were Michael Coan, chair emeritus of the jewelry design department at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Ann Cahoon, head of the jewelry making and repair department at North Bennet Street School, Marlene Richey, consultant and author,  jewelry designers Michael Bondanza and Barbara Heinrich; and our own Victoria Gomelsky, editor-in-chief of JCK.

The 2017 Vision Award winners are:

First Place, Professional Excellence, 4+ Years in Business:
Orsolya Ráski Nagy and Daniel Nagy of Splendor Jewellery in Budakeszi, Hungary, for their nature-inspired 18k yellow gold Garden Ring, featuring a cushion-cut green prasiolite

Second Place, Professional Excellence, 4+ Years in Business:
Patrick Nelson and Mary Kay Mohs of Patrick Mohs Jewelry in Wayzata, Minn., for their Night Sky necklace, which was inspired by skipping stones along the shore of Lake Superior and gazing at the stars during a visit to the North Shore in Minnesota

First Place, Professional Excellence, 1-3 Years in Business:
Zoe Zong of ZoeZong in McKinney, Texas, for her Supernova earrings set, inspired by a supernova

Second Place, Professional Excellence, 1-3 Years in Business:
Zoe Zong of ZoeZong in McKinney, Texas, for her futuristic silver Contrast brooch with inlaid zircon and topaz, featuring rays that represent rising skyscrapers (Also at top)

CAD/CAM Distinction:
Ricardo Basta of Ricardo Basta Fine Jewelry in Los Angeles for his 18k yellow gold Bat ring

Laser Distinction:
Adam Neeley of Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry in Laguna Beach, Calif., for his Rouge Moderne earrings

Custom Design Distinction:
Brenda Smith of Brenda Smith Jewelry in Woodstock, Ga., for her In the Garden pearl necklace

Responsible Practices Distinction:
Leo Fried of Blue Heron Jewelry Co. in Poulsbo, Wa., for his Tanzanite and Diamond White Gold ring—center stone purchased from a co-op of Masi Miners; white gold sourced from Hoover & Strong’s Harmony metals

First Place, Future of the Industry Award (for students):
Kwan Cheuk Ying of Hong Kong Design Institute in Hong Kong for Sun and Moon earrings featuring 14k yellow gold, orange moonstone, and blue moonstone

Second Place, Future of the Industry Award:
Maneli Sarmadi of Savannah College of Art & Design for the Sweet Spell necklace

All winning entries will be on display at the 2018 MJSA Expo at the Javits Center in New York City from March 11 to 13.

(Images Courtesy of MSJA)