Jewelry design contest entries raise the bar

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’s annual fall event held in Dearborn on September 25.

Derickson’s design, pictured below, received the highest overall score from judges and earned the Judge’s Choice award, as well as the Jewelers of America Affiliate award. The design will advance to the Jewelers of America Affiliate National Design Competition in New York.

“The judges use many criteria in their evaluations, including originality and wearability. Each year the bar is set higher as finer pieces are entered into competition,” said Frank Yanke, of Yanke Designs in Franklin, who coordinated judging for the 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.

 

Individual Goldsmith,
Division One
(under $2,500 retail value)

1st place
Richard A. Braekevelt
Atlas Jewelers
Shelby Township
1/4-karat two-tone gold motorcycle pendant with rolling wheels.


2nd place
Thomas Costigan
J. Thomas Jewelers
Rochester Hills
14-karat two-tone gold bracelet with 6 round pinck tourmalines and lobster claw with 3 round diamonds.

Individual Goldsmith,
Division Two
(over $2,500 retail value)

1st place
Paul Derickson
Federico's Design Jewelers
Traverse City
Lady’s 18-karat two-tone necklace with bicolor tourmaline, 111 pink sapphires, 111 blue sapphires and 46 diamonds.
(Jewelers of America Affiliate award; Judge's Choice award)

2nd place
Cass Maiorana
Plymouth Jewelry and Gifts
Plymouth
Lady's ring with trilliant-cut rubellite tourmaline, 13 yellow diamonds and 38 white, brilliant-cut diamonds.

 

Goldsmith/Manufacturer
Division One
 (under $2,500 retail value)

1st place
Shant Demirjian and Jack Demirjian
J. Demere Designs
Livonia
Lady's two-tone gold ring with bicolor emerald-cut citrine, 99 white diamonds and 99 yellow diamonds.


2nd place
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,
Division Two
(over $2,500 retail value)

1st place
Jim Powrie and Chris Wecker
J. Powrie Jewelers
Rochester
14-karat two-tone gold necklace with
 5.6-karat red spinel and diamonds.


2nd place
Shant Demirjian and Jack Demirjian
J. Demere Designs
Livonia
Lady's 18-karat two-tone gold ring with 82 pave-set diamonds.

 

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