March 5, 2002
Michigan Jewelers Association
announces
Jewelry Design Competition winners
Milford jeweler Eric Larvick, of Rottermond Jewelers, won top honors in the 13th Annual Jewelry Design Competition sponsored by the Michigan Jewelers Association (MJA). Winners were announced at MJA’s 2002 Michigan Jewelry Show, held March 2-3 in Novi.
Larvick’s gold pendant set with a garnet and diamonds placed first in the Professional Goldsmith category and received the highest overall score from judges. His design will advance to the Jewelers of America® Affiliate National Design Competition in New York.
Rick Currie, of Rick Currie Master Goldsmith in Port Huron, captured the Judges’ Choice award for his gold slide set with a sunstone and sapphires. The Judges’ Choice award recognizes the piece exhibiting the greatest originality and artistry, as well as excellent overall design and craftsmanship.
The Spectral Award for the piece receiving the greatest number of votes from Michigan Jewelry Show attendees went to Gary Alfieri, of Alfieri Jewelers in Portage. He created a gold pendant featuring green and red tourmalines with small round diamonds.
As Spectral Award winner, Alfieri received a 7.3-carat, peach-colored ametrine quartz in an antique cushion shape, donated by Roger Dery, of Spectral Gems in Birmingham.
Alfieri and his wife, Marcia Alfieri, also received a second-place award in the Designer/Manufacturer Partnership category for a pendant they created in collaboration.
Sixty-five pieces designed by Michigan jewelers were entered in the competition. First- and second-place winners were named in three categories: Student (high school), Professional Goldsmith and Designer/Manufacturer Partnership.
Entries were judged by a panel of industry professionals based on overall design, craftsmanship, practicality and wearability. All winners received an etched glass plaque.
MJA’s Robin Gregory coordinated the competition, and Frank Yanke, of Yanke Designs in Franklin, served as judge coordinator.
The Michigan Jewelers Association is the state affiliate
of Jewelers of America and a division of the Michigan Retailers Association
(MRA). MRA is the unified voice of retailing in Michigan and the nation’s
largest state trade association of general merchandise retailers.
Professional Goldsmith Category
1st: Eric Larvick, Rottermond Jewelers, Milford
2nd: Cynthia Mann, Cynthia Mann Designs, Brighton
Designer/Manufacturer Partnership Category
1st: Daniel F. Monroe and Serkiz Kiraz, Urban Jewelers,
Inc., Ann Arbor
2nd: Marcia and Gary Alfieri, Alfieri Jewelers, Portage
Student Category
1st: Nathan Shobe, Farmington High School, Farmington
Hills
2nd: Ashley Lanning, Sturgis High School, Sturgis
Judges’ Choice
Rick Currie, Rick Currie Master Goldsmith, Port Huron
Spectral Award (People’s Choice)
Gary Alfieri, Alfieri Jewelers, Portage
