For Immediate Release
October 20, 2004

LANSING — Jack Demirijian and his son Shant, of Mastercraft Jewelers and J. Demere Designs in Livonia, and George Teufel, of Rottermond Jewelers in Milford, won top honors in the 15th Annual Jewelry Design Competition sponsored by the Michigan Jewelers Association (MJA). They and nine other winners were recognized with awards presented at "Jewels for Success," an MJA event held in Dearborn.

The Demirijians’ entry, a lady’s 18-karat and platinum ring with a black Tahitian pearl and 26 diamonds, placed first in the Goldsmith/Manufacturer category, Division One (under $2,500 retail value). This entry also received the highest overall score from judges and earned the Jewelers of America Affiliate award; it will advance to the Jewelers of America Affiliate National Design Competition in New York.

Teufel’s design, a pendant containing a fantasy-cut citrine, a Tahitian pearl and 19 round, brilliant-cut diamonds, won the Judge’s Choice award for exceptional originality and creativity. It also won second-place in the Individual Goldsmith Category, Division Two (over $2,500 retail value).

Mark Urban, of Urban Jewelers in Ann Arbor, placed first in Individual Goldsmith Category, Division One, for his pendant containing a diamond-shaped sculpted "gemscape" citrine and a round, brilliant-cut diamond. Demirjian placed first in Division Two of this category for his 18-karat two-tone necklace with bicolor tourmaline, 111 pink sapphires, 111 blue sapphires and 46 diamonds.

Michele Rohn, Jerry Wheeler and David Bullinger, of The Village Jewelers in Rochester Hills, placed first in the Goldsmith/Manufacturer category, Division Two, with their 14-karat gold necklace with black onyx, 4 round, brilliant-cut diamonds and 18 pavé-set, round, brilliant-cut diamonds.

"The judges use many criteria in their evaluations, including originality and wearability. This year they were particularly focused on fine detail and craftsmanship," said Frank Yanke, of Yanke Designs in Franklin, who coordinated judging for the competition.

A panel of industry professionals judged entries based on overall design, artisanship and practicality. The contest judges included Phillip Carizzi, Assistant Professor at Kendall College of Art & Design in Grand Rapids; Kevin Donlon, of Donlon Jewelers in Grand Rapids, and Kirk Eilertsen, formerly of Yanke Designs.

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.
Note: The complete list of winners is below. Photos of winners and their pieces are available in electronic format by e-mailing Amy Buttery at abuttery@retailers.com.

 

2004 Michigan Jewelers Association
Jewelry Design Competition Winners

Individual Goldsmith Category, Division One (under $2,500 retail value)
1st
Mark Urban, Urban Jewelers, Ann Arbor
Pendant/Enhancer containing one diamond-shaped sculpted "gemscape" citrine and one round, brilliant-cut diamond.

2nd
Jack Demirjian, J. Demere Designs, Livonia
Lady’s 18-karat two-tone ring containing square cushion Rhodolite with diagonal facets and 36 diamonds.

Individual Goldsmith Category, Division Two (over $2,500 retail value)
1st
Jack Demirjian, J. Demere Designs, Livonia
Lady’s 18-karat two-tone necklace with bicolor tourmaline, 111 pink sapphires, 111 blue sapphires and 46 diamonds.

2nd
George Teufel, Rottermond Jewelers, Milford
Pendant containing a fantasy-cut citrine, a Tahitian pearl and 19 brilliant-cut diamonds.
(Judges’ Choice Award)

Goldsmith/Manufacturer Category, Division One (under $2,500 retail value)
1st
Jack Demirijian and Shant Demirjian, Mastercraft Jewelers, Livonia
Lady’s 18-karat and platinum ring with black Tahitian pearl and 26 diamonds.
(Jewelers of America® Affiliate award)

2nd
Anne Carr and Paul Favero, Schlanders & Sons, Ann Arbor
Gothic revival 14-karat white gold drop earrings set with two matching aquamarines, with a total of six full-cut round brilliant diamonds and two trilliant-cut diamonds.

Goldsmith/Manufacturer Category, Division Two (over $2,500 retail value)
1st
Michele Rohn, Jerry Wheeler and David Bullinger, The Village Jewelers, Rochester Hills
14-karat gold necklace with black onyx, 4 round, brilliant-cut diamonds and 18 pavé-set, round, brilliant-cut diamonds.

2nd
Pamela Ahee Thomas and Chris Ahee, Edmund T. Ahee Jewelers, Grosse Pointe Woods
Lady’s 18-karat yellow gold necklace with special-cut peridot and 12 round, brilliant-cut diamonds.