April 18, 2000
Waterford jeweler Eric A. Larvick captured "Best in Show" for his gold, tsavorite and diamond pendant in the Michigan Jewelers Association's 11th Annual Jewelry Design Competition. The competition was held in connection with the organization's recent Greater Great Lakes Jewelry Exposition in Livonia.
Larvick, of Rottermond Jewelers, won for his 18k yellow and white gold pendant featuring a trillion-cut tsavorite with diamond pave and diamond accent. The pendant also received first place in the competition's Professional Goldsmith category.
As Best in Show winner, Larvick's design gains entry into the Jewelers of America Affiliate National Design Competition in New York.
The Spectral Award for the piece receiving the greatest number of votes from show attendees went to Daniel G. Hacker and Terry Suydam, of Hacker Jewelers in Tecumseh. Their 14k white and rose gold ring, designed by Hacker and crafted by Suydam, featured a 1.0ct round diamond accented with full-cut purplish-pink diamonds.
It was the second year in a row that Suydam captured the Spectral "People's Choice" award. Hacker and Suydam's piece also placed first in the Designer/Manufacturer Partnership category.
As Spectral Award winners, the pair received a 6.33ct pear-shaped iolite gemstone in a vibrant violet-blue color, donated by Spectral Gems in Birmingham.
Tecumseh entrants received two additional awards in the competition. Noah Suydam, Terry's son, created a cuff bracelet in brass and copper that placed first in the Student category. Kim DeRousie, also of Hacker Jewelers, won second place in the Advanced Student category for his 14k white gold and pearl necklace in a figure-eight motif.
Categories in the competition included Student, Advanced Student, Professional Goldsmith and Designer/Manufacturer Partnership. Best in Show went to the piece receiving the most points from judges, and the Spectral Award went to the show attendees' favorite.
All first place winners received a Waterford crystal bowl, and second place finishers received an engraved plaque.
Entries were judged by a panel of industry professionals according to originality, beauty, wearability, quality and appeal. Frank Yanke, of Yanke Designs in Franklin, served as judge coordinator, and MJA's Robin Gregory coordinated the competition.
The Michigan Jewelers Association is a division of the Michigan Retailers Association, the unified voice of retailing in Michigan and the nation's largest state trade association of general merchandise retailers.
The complete list of winners follows.
Student Category
1st: Noah Suydam, Tecumseh
Cuff bracelet
in brass and copper.
2nd: Brandon Schneider, Farmington High School, Farmington
Hills
Copper bookmark with abstract design of a face.
Advanced Student Category
1st: Daniel F. Monroe, Urban Jewelers, Ann Arbor
14k yellow gold brooch with a marquise-shaped aquamarine and two cultured pearls.
2nd: Kim DeRousie, Hacker Jewelers of Tecumseh, Tecumseh
14k white gold and pearl necklace in a figure-eight motif.
Professional Goldsmith Category
1st: Eric A. Larvick, Rottermond Jewelers, Waterford
18k yellow and white gold pendant featuring a trillion-cut tsavorite with diamond
pave and diamond accent.
2nd: Onnig A. Chopjian, Flash Jewelers, Inc., Southfield
18k rose gold and platinum ring containing a tension-set imperial topaz, two
channel-set baguette diamonds and a round diamond.
Designer/Manufacturer Partnership Category
1st: Daniel G. Hacker (designer) and Terry Suydam (manufacturer),
Hacker Jewelers of Tecumseh, Tecumseh
14k white and rose gold ring featuring a 1.0ct round diamond accented with full-cut
purplish-pink diamonds.
2nd: Karen Chambers (designer), Emerald Eyes Collection,
Kalamazoo, and Paul J. Stetler (manufacturer), Paul J. Stetler Designs, Ortonville
18k white gold pendant featuring a chrysoberyl catseye, baguette diamonds and
a kote shopio tsavorite, accented with pave diamonds, displayed on an Omega
slide chain.
Best in Show Winner
Eric A. Larvick, Rottermond Jewelers, Waterford
(See Professional Goldsmith Category above.)
Spectral Award
Daniel G. Hacker and Terry Suydam, Hacker Jewelers of Tecumseh,
Tecumseh.
(See Designer/Manufacturer Partnership Category above.)