Events & AwardsSep 17, 2021
Here’s This Year’s Robert M. Shipley Award WinnerEvents & AwardsSep 28, 2021
Pattons Fine Jewelry Takes Home 3 Awards from Louisiana Jewelers Convention
They included the Jewelers of Louisiana’s top honor as well as two design awards.
Tenisha Jason-Moore, Melinda Wallace, and Ara Chanakian, all of Pattons Fine Jewelry, received awards from the Jewelers of Louisiana at the association’s recent convention.
New Orleans—Three team members from Pattons Fine Jewelry notched awards at the recent Jewelers of Louisiana convention.
The association named Tenisha Jason-Moore its “Jeweler of Louisiana,” one of its top honors. The award is given to an individual in the jewelry business in Louisiana who exemplifies excellence in their store and demonstrated a passion for jewelry.
Jason-Moore is the third Pattons employee to take home the honor, joining Kevin “Duane” Dunehew in 2015 and Kevin Patton in 2002.
Jewelry designer Melinda Wallace, who is also the manager of the Pattons Alexandria store, took first place in the category of designs retailing for $6,000 or more in the 2021 Jewelers of Louisiana Design Competition.
Her winning piece was a freeform boulder opal with 14-karat gold overlay and marquise emerald “leaves.”
Additionally, Patton jeweler Ara Chanakian entered three pieces into the design competition and earned two third-place awards, one in the category of retailing up to $2,000 and one in the retailing for $2,000 to $6,000 category.
The pieces entered were judged on overall design, marketability, practicality, wearability, and craftmanship.
Each first-place winner and the overall winner’s entries will be sent to Jewelers of America in New York to be entered into the association’s CASE Awards competition next year.
Pattons Fine Jewelry has been around since 1944, with locations in Alexandria and Baton Rouge.
Sandra Patton was the inaugural recipient of Jewelers of Louisiana’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, given to an individual who has been involved in the jewelry industry for over 20 years and who possesses qualities of professionalism, community involvement, exemplary customer service, and excellence.
Related stories will be right here …
The association named Tenisha Jason-Moore its “Jeweler of Louisiana,” one of its top honors. The award is given to an individual in the jewelry business in Louisiana who exemplifies excellence in their store and demonstrated a passion for jewelry.
Jason-Moore is the third Pattons employee to take home the honor, joining Kevin “Duane” Dunehew in 2015 and Kevin Patton in 2002.
Jewelry designer Melinda Wallace, who is also the manager of the Pattons Alexandria store, took first place in the category of designs retailing for $6,000 or more in the 2021 Jewelers of Louisiana Design Competition.
Her winning piece was a freeform boulder opal with 14-karat gold overlay and marquise emerald “leaves.”
At left, the winning piece from Melinda Wallace. At right, “Jeweler of Louisiana” winner Tenisha Jason-Moore
Additionally, Patton jeweler Ara Chanakian entered three pieces into the design competition and earned two third-place awards, one in the category of retailing up to $2,000 and one in the retailing for $2,000 to $6,000 category.
The pieces entered were judged on overall design, marketability, practicality, wearability, and craftmanship.
Each first-place winner and the overall winner’s entries will be sent to Jewelers of America in New York to be entered into the association’s CASE Awards competition next year.
Pattons Fine Jewelry has been around since 1944, with locations in Alexandria and Baton Rouge.
Sandra Patton was the inaugural recipient of Jewelers of Louisiana’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, given to an individual who has been involved in the jewelry industry for over 20 years and who possesses qualities of professionalism, community involvement, exemplary customer service, and excellence.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Policies & IssuesFeb 20, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Against Most of President Trump’s TariffsIn a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
MajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board ChairJVC also announced the election of five new board members.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
CollectionsFeb 20, 2026
Boucheron’s ‘Faisceaux’ Brooch Heads to V&A MuseumThe brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.
Weekly QuizFeb 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
PodcastsFeb 18, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
MajorsFeb 18, 2026
Select Jewelry Inks Agreement to Distribute Lightweight Gold JewelryIt will lead distribution in North America for Graziella Braccialini's new gold pieces, which it said are 50 percent lighter.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
SourcingFeb 17, 2026
Colored Gemstone Experts Talk Tariffs, Trends in TucsonAlthough the market is robust, tariffs and precious metal prices are impacting the industry, Stuart Robertson and Brecken Branstrator said.
GradingFeb 17, 2026
Dr. George Rossman, Former GIA Governor, Dies at 81Rossman, who advised GIA for more than 50 years, is remembered for his passion and dedication to the field of gemology.
CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2026
A ‘Rosebud’ Necklace for Valentine’s DayPaul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.
MajorsFeb 13, 2026
JFC Announces New BeneficiariesThe nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.
MajorsFeb 12, 2026
These 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Stores Are ClosingParent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2026
British Museum Raises $5M to Keep Jewel Linked to Henry VIII, Katherine of AragonIt is believed the 24-karat heart-shaped enameled pendant was made for an event marking the betrothal of Princess Mary in 1518.
SourcingFeb 12, 2026
‘Cotton Candy’ Necklace, 35-Carat Kunzite Win 2025 ‘Buyer’s Choice’ AwardsThe AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge “Buyer’s Choice” award winners were announced at the Spectrum Awards Gala last week.
Events & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused AwardThe “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilThe event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
