Events & AwardsMar 31, 2021
Meet the First 6 Participants in the Emerging Designers Diamond InitiativeEvents & AwardsApr 08, 2021
Here Are the 2021 CASE Award Winners
Jewelers of America’s national competition recognizes members who exhibit creativity, artistry, style, and excellence in jewelry design.
Jewelers of America has announced the winners of its 2021 CASE Awards. Among them is this pair of blue sapphire and 18-karat blue rhodium gold earrings from Graziela Gems.
New York—The judges have spoken, and the winners of the 31st annual CASE Awards have been announced.
Jewelers of America’s CASE Awards, a national design competition, recognizes members who exhibit creativity, artistry, style, and excellence in jewelry design.
This year brought a record number of entries, nearly 200 in total, JA said.
The association also expanded the competition to include 14 different categories based on jewelry style and price.
The judges named a total of 15 winners, one per category except for “Necklaces $5,001 and Up,” in which there were two winners.
All winners will receive a customized CASE Award trophy, and national and local media coverage.
A panel of design experts chose the winners, evaluating entries on overall design, marketability, originality, and quality of manufacture.
Judges were: Terry Chandler, Diamond Council of America; Deirdre Featherstone, Featherstone Design; Amanda Gizzi, JA; Brecken Branstrator, National Jeweler; JB Jones, NYC Jewelry Week; Adrianne Sanogo, Black in Jewelry Coalition and GIA Graduate Gemologist; and Iveta N. Stephanopoulos, GIA.
Related stories will be right here …
Jewelers of America’s CASE Awards, a national design competition, recognizes members who exhibit creativity, artistry, style, and excellence in jewelry design.
This year brought a record number of entries, nearly 200 in total, JA said.
The association also expanded the competition to include 14 different categories based on jewelry style and price.
The judges named a total of 15 winners, one per category except for “Necklaces $5,001 and Up,” in which there were two winners.
All winners will receive a customized CASE Award trophy, and national and local media coverage.
A panel of design experts chose the winners, evaluating entries on overall design, marketability, originality, and quality of manufacture.
Judges were: Terry Chandler, Diamond Council of America; Deirdre Featherstone, Featherstone Design; Amanda Gizzi, JA; Brecken Branstrator, National Jeweler; JB Jones, NYC Jewelry Week; Adrianne Sanogo, Black in Jewelry Coalition and GIA Graduate Gemologist; and Iveta N. Stephanopoulos, GIA.
The competition was open only to employees of JA member companies.
“Jewelers of America’s CASE Awards design competition showcases the fine craftsmanship and talent of JA Members across the country,” said Gizzi.
“Judging was incredibly difficult this year, as we had a wide variety of immensely talented jewelry designers enter in every category. The judges had to carefully consider the judging criteria, and it had to come down to the finest details to determine winners.”
See the winners in the slideshow below.
Category: Engagement Rings up to $5,000. Designed by: Angela Hope of Ben Bridge Jeweler in Seattle. Entry information: Diamond engagement ring inspired by a sunrise, made of 14-karat palladium alloyed recycled white gold with 0.42 carats of baguette diamonds ($2,399 for semi-mount)
Category: Engagement Rings $5,001 and Up. Designed by Niveet Nagpal of Omi Privé in West Covina, California. Entry information: Platinum ring featuring an 8.86-carat oval blue moonstone accented by pear-shape Paraíba-type tourmalines (1.10 total carats), round Paraíba tourmalines (0.34 total carats) and round diamonds (0.96 total carats) ($34,000)
Category: Earrings up to $5,000. Designed by: Eddie LeVian of Le Vian in Great Neck, New York. Entry information: 14-karat yellow gold earrings with natural pink and white freshwater pearls and natural carved prehnite leaves ($4,999)
Category: Earrings $5,001 and Up. Designed by Graziela Kaufman of Graziela Gems in Highwood, Illinois. Entry information: Blue sapphire earrings (5.79 total carats) set in 18-karat blue rhodium gold ($7,800)
Category: Necklaces up to $5,000. Designed by Lynn Gambino of Lilly Street in Old Brookville, New York. Entry information: Mini Capulet necklace in 18-karat pink gold with natural herkimer crystals and a ruby center ($2,320)
Category: Necklaces $5,001 and Up. Designed by Mike Anderson of Brody Designs in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Entry information: 57-carat carved untreated Colorado blue topaz necklace in 14-karat white gold ($16,000)
Category: Necklaces $5,001 and Up. Designed by: Hans Schullin of Schullin in Graz, Austria. Entry information: Necklace made of red Mediterranean coral branches, silver sheen obsidian cabochons (227.96 total carats) and 1.09 carats of brilliant-cut diamonds set in 18-karat rose gold ($22,500)
Category: Bracelets up to $5,000. Designed by Hans Schullin of Schullin in Graz, Austria. Entry information: Green galuchat cuff with a branch of green oval cut tourmalines (5.36 total carats) and white brilliant-cut diamonds (0.05 total carats) in 18-karat fair trade rose gold ($2,900)
Category: Bracelets $5,001 and Up. Designed by Heena Shah of Valani in New York, New York. Entry information: Bracelet in 18-karat white gold set with 14 brilliant-cut rubies (14.90 total carats), 30 trillion-cut rubies (4.52 total carats), 56 marquise-cut diamonds (7.99 total carats), 14 pear-shaped diamonds (2.77 total carats), and 490 brilliant-cut diamonds (4.76 total carats) ($345,000)
Category: Rings up to $5,000. Designed by Steven Kistner of Steven Paul Designs in Delafield, Wisconsin. Entry information: Prosthetic eye set in sterling silver with mechanism to open and close eye ($4,800)
Category: Rings $5,001 and Up. Designed by Alexandra Mor of Alexandra Mor in New York City. Entry information: Eternity band set with 15.27 carats of one-of-a-kind hexagon-cut Muzo Columbian emeralds and diamonds wide-set in platinum on an 18-karat yellow gold Alexandra Mor logo gallery ($55,000)
Category: Pins/Brooches/Cufflinks (any price). Designed by Sharon Curtiss-Gal and William Brewer of The Gem Vault in Flemington, New Jersey. Entry information: Fine Oregon sunstones from the Dust Devil mine in Plush, Oregon (14.96 total carats) surrounded by pink spinels (3.70 total carats) and accented by tsavorites (.91 total carats) and round diamonds (.56 total carats) in 18-karat yellow gold ($13,000)
Category: Wedding Bands up to $5,000. Designed by Gabriel & Co. of New York City. Entry information: 14-karat white gold wide anniversary band with round and baguette diamonds (1.37 total carats) ($2,265)
Category: Wedding Bands $5,001 and Up. Designed by Eddie LeVian of Le Vian in Great Neck, New York. Entry information: Platinum and 18-karat yellow gold accent ring with 6.80 carats of yellow diamonds and 0.48 carats of white diamonds ($42,400)
Category: Other (non-jewelry items made of precious metals or stones, any price). Designed by Samuel Behnam and Neda Behnam of Samuel B. Collection in Great Neck, New York. Entry information: Oxidized sterling silver ballpoint pen with faceted black spinel endcap ($417)
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
