The grand prize winner of the 2007 American Jewelry Design Council New Talent Contest is Nicole Landaw [pictured], Nicole Landaw Jewelry, New York. She was selected based on the originality, craftsmanship, innovation, marketability, and cohesiveness of her jewelry design. Shown is a pair of her Vine earrings. Three finalists were also recognized: So Young Park, Rochester, N.Y.; Petra Class, San Francisco; and Ken Leung, New York.
Landaw receives an all-expenses-paid booth in the New Designer Gallery at the Jewelers of America Summer Show 2007 in New York to exhibit her collections, and will be honored at an award ceremony and given a trophy made by AJDC member Michael Good. Landaw founded her company in 2004.
Antonio Bernardo won a 2007 International Forum Design award. Bernardo won this year in the category of Leisure/Lifestyle with his Impulso earrings. Honorees receive a seal of outstanding design quality.
Jewelers of America announced the winners of its 17th annual Affiliate Design Competition, held during the JA Winter Show 2007. The competition features jewelry designed by JA members who have won design contests sponsored by affiliates in 2006. The entries were judged by a panel of industry experts on craftsmanship, marketability, practicality/wearability, and overall design. Twenty-three designs competed for the top prizes in four categories: $1,000 and under; $1,001–$3,000; $3,001 and over; and a Buyer’s Choice Award. First-place winners are David Holloway [pictured], Swift’s Jewelry, Fayetteville, Ark., $1,000 and under, for his 14k gold pendant featuring amethyst, tanzanite, and diamonds [shown], which also took the Buyer’s Choice Award; Marcus Gillihan, Shelton Jewelers, Albuquerque, N.M., $1,001–$3,000, for his 14k gold ring with tourmaline and diamonds; and Gerard Faini, Faini Designs Jewelry Studio, Sioux Falls, S.D., $3,001 and over, for his 18k gold ring with a natural fancy yellow center stone and side stones. JA awards the winners with an engraved trophy and a framed certificate. [Photo by Alfredo Parraga]
A graduate from the Gemological Institute of America recently donated a design inspired by California’s Napa Valley to the GIA Museum. Peter Young, G.G., INTA Gems, Los Angeles, presented the Vinissimo ruby and diamond necklace to GIA with company founders Jerry and Connie Pheng Young, and Miss California USA 2007Meagan Tandy. The 18k gold necklace features 3.35 cts. t.w. of rubies and 1.30 cts. t.w. of diamonds. Pictured from left are Connie Pheng Young, Jerry Pheng Young, Miss California USA 2007 Meagan Tandy, Peter Young, and GIA Museum director Elise Misiorowski.