From a $130 silver ring to a $150,000 opal necklace, the winners of our annual design competition have one thing in common: Your seal of approval.

The first of the year is always an exciting time in the JCK offices. (And not because of all the chocolate truffles and ­jewel-shaped candy floating around.) That’s when the final votes for the ­Jewelers’ Choice Awards are tallied, and we learn what you chose as the grand prize winner. In addition to bragging rights, the piece is honored on the cover of our March issue.

This year, more than 16,000 votes were tallied in 44 categories. The awards began with 294 entries and it came down to one: the Marquesa Collection by BELLARRI bracelet, a stained-glass–like creation boasting 50-plus cts. of pink tourmaline, rhodolite garnet, citrine, amethyst, peridot, green tourmaline, blue topaz, and diamonds.

In these pages, you’ll see all the winning pieces, from the always-important bridal entries ­(in four price ranges) to the more-­important-than-ever silver category, which didn’t exist in the first ­Jewelers’ Choice Awards four years ago. Next month, a “Best of the Best” supplement will showcase the 45 winners and 92 finalists. Taken together, they represent the most innovative, expertly crafted, and—let’s not forget—­beautiful designs in the ­marketplace. At JCK, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Still life photographs by Duvenjian Graphics

Best Bridal Design

Under $2,500 Abbraccio collection swirl mounting with 0.45 ct. t.w. diamond accents; $2,650 (price was $2,500 at time of entry); Danhov, Los Angeles; 213-627-0454; danhov.com
$2,501–$5,000 Art of Romance Collection mounting in 14k white gold with 0.70 ct. t.w. diamonds; $4,795; Frank Reubel Designs, Daytona Beach, Fla.; 386-761-6945; frankreubeldesigns.com
$5,001–$10,000 Angelique collection mounting in 18k white gold with 0.14 ct. t.w. diamonds, shown with two matching 18k white gold wedding bands, each with 0.19 ct. t.w. diamonds; $6,440; Kirk Kara, Northridge, Calif.; 800-874-0181; kirkkara.com	Courtesy of Kirk Kara
Over $10,000 Platinum ring with 5.03 ct. Asscher-cut center stone and 0.83 ct. t.w. micro-pavé diamond surround; $157,250; Uneek Fine Jewelry Collections, Los Angeles; 888-BE-UNEEK; uneekjewelry.com

Best Earring Design

Under $2,500 14k gold Pirouette earrings with cultured pearls and 0.50 ct. t.w. bezel-set diamonds; $1,898; Kerry Catherine Jewelry, Raleigh, N.C.; 919-786-2772
$2,501–$10,000 Dangle ball earrings with 2.50 cts. t.w. diamonds in 18k white gold; $10,000; Vanna K, Van Nuys, Calif., 800-821-2351; vannak.com
Over $10,000 Earrings in 18k white gold with 9 cts. t.w. mosaic-cut diamonds; $55,000; Simon G Jewelry, Glendale, Calif., 800-627-2661, simongjewelry.com

Best Ring Design

Under $2,500 Sterling silver ring with 36 ct. carved white agate flower and 0.40 ct. t.w. tsavorite; $700; Carlo Viani, Great Neck, N.Y.; 516-967-3337; carloviani.com
$2,501–$10,000  Ring in black steel with white gold and 2 cts. t.w. diamonds; $10,000; Michael Weggenmann, Kaiserslautern, Germany; 49-63-125-953; weggenmann.com	Courtesy of Michael Weggenmann
Over $10,000 Ring in 18k white gold with 7.73 cts. t.w. micro-set princess-cut diamonds; $22,000; Simon G Jewelry, Glendale, Calif., 800-627-2661; simongjewelry.com

Best Bracelet Design

Under $10,000 Anastacia bangle in black resin with rhodium-plated sterling silver and pavé cubic zirconia; $795; Belle Étoile, San Francisco; 877-838-6728; mybelleetoile.com
Over $10,000 Tropical Sea cuff in 18k gold with 82.10 ct. opal; $89,950; Crevoshay, Albuquerque, N.M.; 505-898-2888; crevoshay.com

Best Price Point Design

Under $500 Radiant Collection silver and enamel ring with white topaz and black spinel; $129; Raquelle Bianco, New York City; 212-575-8989; raquellebianco.com
$501–$1,000 Mounting in 14k gold with 0.10 ct. t.w. diamond accents; $748; Gabriel & Co., New York City; 800-886-5422; gabrielny.com
$1,001–$2,000 Victorian-inspired mounting in 14k white gold with milgrain edging and 0.20 ct. t.w. diamonds; $1,138; Gabriel & Co., New York City; 800-886-5422; gabrielny.com

Best Necklace Design

Under $2,500 Marcasite and crystal-encrusted pinwheel-inspired necklace in sterling silver; $595; Judith Jack/Jones Jewelry Group, New York City; 917-229-2743; judithjack.com
$2,501–$10,000 Necklace in 18k white gold with 134 diamonds (0.91 ct. t.w.) and a 34.07 ct. ruby cabochon; $9,850; Supreme Jewelry Corp., Los Angeles; 800-827-7464; supremejewelry.net
Over $10,000 18k gold necklace with 75.29 ct. black opal, pink and colorless diamonds, enamel, and platinum accents; $150,000; Joden-Fourtane, Grove City, Pa.; 724-458-6710; joden.com

Colored Diamond Jewelry

Under $2,500 Ring in 14k rose gold with 0.21 ct. t.w. colorless and 0.91 ct. t.w. brown diamonds; $1,585; Asher Jewelry, New York City; 212-302-6233; ashercollection.com
$2,501–$10,000 Reverie band in 18k white and yellow gold with 1.39 cts. t.w. golden, amber, and champagne diamonds; $5,955; Parade Design, Los Angeles; 213-627-4019; paradedesign.com
Over $10,000 Earrings in 18k white gold with pear-shape ruby and colorless and black diamonds; $19,500; Bapalal Keshavlal, Mumbai, India; 91-22-369-6211; bapalalkeshavlal.com

Diamond Jewelry

$10,000 and Under Ring in 18k white gold with 2.35 cts. t.w. diamonds; $6,490; Simon G Jewelry, Glendale, Calif., 800-627-2661; simongjewelry.com
Over $10,000 (tie) Bangle in 18k gold with 12.75 cts. t.w. brilliant-cut diamonds; $62,500; Michael John IMAGE, Los Angeles; 213-623-4042; imagejewelryinc.com
Over $10,000 (tie) Platinum earrings with 6.32 cts. t.w. pear-shape diamonds, 1.05 cts. t.w. round diamonds, and 0.57 ct. t.w. accent diamonds; $136,000; Jeffrey Daniels for Gem Platinum, New York City; 212-819-0850; gemplatinum.com

Colored Stone Jewelry

Under $2,500 Art of Design ring in 14k white and yellow gold with 2 ct. blue topaz and 0.10 ct. t.w. pavé-set diamonds; $1,999; Frank Reubel Designs, Daytona Beach, Fla.; 386-761-6945; frankreubeldesigns.com
$2,501–$10,000 Paradise Blue 18k white gold ring with 9.54 ct. aquamarine with sapphire and ruby accents; $10,836 (price was $9,501 at time of entry); Yoki LLC, Annandale, Va.; 571-213-7688
Over $10,000 Marquesa Collection bracelet in 18k gold with 47.70 cts. t.w. gemstones and 2.85 cts. t.w. diamonds; $22,980; BELLARRI, Scottsdale, Ariz.; 800-255-0192; bellarri.com

Tanzanite Jewelry

Under $10,000 Pendant with 14.30 ct. heart-shape tanzanite and 0.89 ct. t.w. diamonds in 18k white gold; $9,499; Steven Royce Designs/S&J Jewelry, New York City; 212-302-1079; stevenroyce.com
Over $10,000 Platinum ring with 8 ct. faceted fantasy-cut tanzanite plus 1.70 cts. t.w. colorless and 1.70 cts. t.w. yellow diamonds; $25,000; Mark Schneider Design, Long Beach, Calif.; 562-437-0448; markschneiderdesign.com

Gold Jewelry

Under $2,500 Handcrafted pink, yellow, and white gold pendant; $1,999; JASANI USA, New York City; 212-257-6465; jasanigroup.com
Over $2,500 Bamboo cuff bracelet in 14k satin-finish yellow gold with 0.25 ct. t.w. diamonds; $3,995; I. Reiss, Great Neck, N.Y.; 516-482-7900; ireiss.com

Platinum Jewelry

Under $10,000 Garden Gate Collection platinum mounting with 92 diamonds (0.83 ct. t.w.) and milgrain detail; $9,898; Kerry Catherine Jewelry, Raleigh, N.C.; 919-786-2772
Over $10,000 Bubble ring with 2.80 cts. t.w. round diamonds and 0.99 ct. t.w. melee in platinum; $19,000; Rahaminov Diamonds, Los Angeles; 213-622-9866; rahaminovdiamond.com

Silver Jewelry

Under $500 Hammered silver ring with 18k gold and diamond accents; $448; Gabriel & Co., New York City; 800-886-5422; gabrielny.com
$501–$1,000 Sterling silver ring with 27 ct. prehnite and 1.25 cts. t.w. tsavorite; $850; Carlo Viani, Great Neck, N.Y.; 516-967-3337; carloviani.com
Over $1,000 Louis XV Collection bracelet in sterling silver with 14k gold and 0.20 ct. t.w. diamonds; $2,400; Vahan Jewelry, Mamaroneck, N.Y.; 914-381-4464; vahanjewelry.com

Pearl Jewelry

Under $2,500 Sedona Collection sterling silver and 22k gold ring with Tahitian mabe pearl; $898; Kerry Catherine Jewelry, Raleigh, N.C.; 919-786-2772
$2,501–$10,000 Ring in 14k white and pink gold with treated irradiated chocolate South Seas pearl and 1.15 cts. t.w. treated irradiated diamonds; $5,500; Aurum Design, Rochester, Mich.; 248-651-9040; aurumdesign.com
Over $10,000 Platinum ring with 13.5 mm black Tahitian pearl, 0.43 ct. t.w. pink sapphires, and 0.74 ct. t.w. diamonds; $20,000; Mark Schneider Design, Long Beach, Calif.; 562-437-0448; markschneiderdesign.com

Men’s Jewelry

Under $1,000 Cobalt ring with 18k rose gold rivets; $599; Heavy Stone Rings, Orem, Utah; 801-765-4616; heavystonerings.com
Over $1,000 8 mm square band with 950 palladium and tantalum extrusion patterned metals; $2,450; Stratabands from Extrusion Patterned Metals Corp., Franklin, N.C.; 828-349-4994; stratabands.com

Contemporary Metal Jewelry

Under $1,000 Griffe Champagne Collection laser-cut steel cuff; $370; Testi USA/Rebecca, Miami; 310-319-9600; testiusa.com

Mixed Metal Jewelry

Under $1,000 Heart pendant in sterling silver with rose gold plating; $698; bastian inverun, Bremen, Germany; 45-0421-3385-555; bastian-inverun.com
$1,001–$5,000 Nouveau Luxe pendant in 18k yellow gold and sterling silver with 1.83 cts. t.w. cognac and colorless diamonds; $3,230; Chad Allison, New York City; 212-278-8669; chadallison.com
Over $5,000 Ring in black steel with white gold and 2 cts. t.w. diamonds; $10,000; Michael Weggenmann, Kaiserslautern, Germany; 49-63-125-953; weggenmann.com	Courtesy of Michael Weggenmann