For Immediate Release
October 13, 2005
Paul Derickson, of Federico’s Design Jewelers in Traverse City, won top honors in the 16th Annual Jewelry Design Competition sponsored by the Michigan Jewelers Association (MJA). He and 12 other winners were recognized with awards presented at MJA annual fall event held in Dearborn.
Derickson’s design, an 18-karat rose gold and platinum ring with an indicolite tourmaline, two pink sapphires and yellow and white diamonds, placed first in the Individual Goldsmith category, Division Two (over $2,500 retail value). With the highest overall score from judges, it also earned the Judge’s Choice award and the Jewelers of America Affiliate award. The design will advance to the Jewelers of America Affiliate National Design Competition in New York in January.
Richard A. Braekevelt, of Atlas Jewelers in Shelby Township, placed first in the Individual Goldsmith Category, Division One (under $2,500), for his 14-karat two-tone gold motorcycle pendant with rolling wheels.
Shant Demirjian and his father, Jack, of J. Demere Designs in Livonia, placed first in Division One of the Goldsmith/Manufacturer category with their lady’s 18-karat two-tone gold ring with 82 pave-set diamonds. Jim Powrie and Chris Wecker, of J. Powrie Jewelers in Rochester, placed first in Division Two of this category, with their 14-karat two-tone gold necklace with 5.6-karat red spinel and diamonds.
Thomas Costigan, of J. Thomas Jewelers in Rochester Hills; Cass Maiorana, of Plymouth Jewelry and Gifts in Plymouth; Michael Agnello, Tammy Lauri, Brian Reynolds, Chris Giordano and Laurie Stephenson, of Michael Agnello Jewelers in St. Clair Shores; and Shant and Jack Demirjian all placed second.
"The judges use many criteria in their evaluations, including originality and wearability," said Frank Yanke, of Yanke Designs in Franklin, who coordinated judging for the competition. "Each year the bar is set higher as finer pieces are entered into competition."
The contest judges included Anne Carr, of Schlanderer & Sons in Ann Arbor; Shannon Westgate, of Becky Beauchine Kulka Diamonds and Fine Jewelry in Okemos; and James R. Krol, of Birmingham Gemological Services Ltd. in Birmingham.
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.
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.
Individual Goldsmith Category, Division One (under $2,500 retail value)
1st Richard A. Braekevelt, Atlas Jewelers, Shelby Township
14-karat two-tone gold motorcycle pendant with rolling wheels.
2nd Thomas Costigan, J. Thomas Jewelers, Rochester Hills
14-karat two-tone gold bracelet with 6 round pink tourmalines and lobster
claw with 3 round diamonds.
Individual Goldsmith Category, Division Two (over $2,500 retail value)
1st Paul Derickson, Federico’s Design Jewelers, Traverse City
18-karat rose gold and platinum ring with 5.84-karat indicolite tourmaline
and two pink sapphires, with bezel-set fancy yellow diamonds and pave-set
white diamonds.
(Jewelers of America® Affiliate award; Judge’s Choice award)
2nd Cass Maiorana, Plymouth Jewelry and Gifts, Plymouth
Lady’s ring with 9.48-karat trilliant-cut rubellite tourmaline,
13 yellow diamonds and 38 white, round, brilliant-cut diamonds.
Goldsmith/Manufacturer Category, Division One (under $2,500 retail value)
1st Shant Demirjian and Jack Demirjian, J. Demere Designs, Livonia
Lady’s 18-karat two-tone gold ring with 82 pave-set diamonds.
2nd Michael Agnello, Tammy Lauri, Brian Reynolds, Chris Giordano
and Laurie Stephenson
Michael Agnello Jewelers, St. Clair Shores
18-karat two-tone gold earring and pendant set with three green tourmalines
and 99 diamonds.
Goldsmith/Manufacturer Category, Division Two (over $2,500 retail value)
1st Jim Powrie and Chris Wecker, J. Powrie Jewelers, Rochester
14-karat two-tone gold necklace with 5.6-karat red spinel and diamonds.
2nd Shant Demirjian and Jack Demirjian, J. Demere Designs, Livonia
Lady’s 18-karat two-tone gold ring with bicolor emerald-cut citrine,
99 white diamonds and 99 yellow diamonds.
