Rio Tinto Diamonds Announces Winners of Design Contest

 

Rio Tinto Diamonds announced winners in the four categories of its Champagne Diamond Design Competition. Unveiled in May, the competition tasked entrants to create original champagne diamond jewelry designs in white or yellow gold, featuring stones in a range of sizes, clarities, and colors—from a light champagne color to a deep cognac hue.

 

The overall winner—Champagne Visionary status—was awarded to Evelyn Huang of evelynH. Jewelry Inc., Los Angeles. Huang’s Bulles de Champagne Collier, or Champagne Bubbles Necklace, took the top prize and was inspired by the French period of Rococo design.

Evelyn Huang's Champage Bubbles Necklace took first place in Rio Tinto's Champagne Diamond Design Competition.
The Bulles de Champagne Collier, or Champagne Bubbles Necklace, by Evelyn Huang of evelynH. Jewelry Inc., Los Angeles, took first place–the Champagne Visionary status–in the first annual Rio Tinto Champagne Diamond Design Competition.

 

Second place or Champagne Wishes honors were awarded to Joana Miranda of Glendale, Wis., for her Champagne Tango earrings, inspired by the designer’s love of movement and the tango dance.

Joana Miranda of Glendale, Wis., won second place in the Rio Tinto Champagne Diamond Design Competition for her Champagne Tango earrings.
The second-place winner is Joana Miranda of Glendale, Wis., for her Champagne Tango earrings.

 

The third-place winner is Graham Edney, Santa Barbara, Calif., who created the Butterfly Drop earrings, and fourth place was awarded to Vincent Bisazza on behalf of Charles Koll Jewellers in San Diego, Calif. Bisazza’s Flute brooch was inspired by the playful movement of bubbles in a champagne flute.

The Butterfly Drop earrings by Edney, Santa Barbara, Calif., took third place in the Rio Tinto Champagne Diamond Design Competition.
The Butterfly Drop earrings by Edney, Santa Barbara, Calif., took third place.

Vincent Bisazza’s Flute brooch was inspired by bubbles in a champagne flute. Bisazza made the piece for employer, Charles Koll Jewellers in San Diego.
The fourth-place winner is Vincent Bisazza on behalf of Charles Koll Jewellers in San Diego. Bisazza’s Flute brooch was inspired by the playful movement of bubbles in a champagne flute.

 

The four winning designers will have numerous opportunities for exposure in the U.S. jewelry industry, including participation in nationwide retailer events.

 

Judges included fine jewelry and fashion journalists, branding experts, and association heads.

 

For more information, log onto www.riotinto.com. 

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