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
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
Weekly QuizAug 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M HeistMuseum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
Claire’s Revamps Piercing Services for Second Time in Three Years The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.
FinancialsAug 06, 2026
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 6%, Driven by High-Income ShoppersThe retailer said it had its biggest Mother’s Day ever, with strong demand for higher-priced jewelry.
TrendsAug 06, 2026
New Book on Handcrafted American Objects Highlights Jewelry“Handwork: Handcrafted Objects that Made America” features historic and contemporary works, including a Diné squash blossom necklace.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
AJA East Coast Names Ani Khachian as First Female President-ElectThe Armenian Jewelers Association’s East Coast chapter has also elected its 2026–2027 board of directors.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Private Equity Firm Wants to Buy 100+ JCPenney StoresOnyx Partners has submitted a second offer to buy the department stores after its first offer fell through last year.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Atlanta Jeweler Introduces $10K MartiniSolomon Brothers Jewelers has partnered with local cocktail bar Roaring Social on a new martini garnished with a tennis necklace.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Another Member of the Siegel Family Joins Hamilton Jewelers Benjamin Siegel, son of President and CEO Hank Siegel, started working for the family business this week.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Bulgari Opens Store in San DiegoThe new space features a modern design that blends Bulgari’s Roman heritage with San Diego’s coastal spirit.
CrimeAug 04, 2026
Crew of Thieves Break Into Indiana Jeweler’s HomeFour men were charged in connection with the break-in and accused of stealing $365,000 in cash, jewelry, and designer goods.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Pandora Hires Former Signet Board Member to Lead North American MarketAndré Branch has more than 25 years of experience with various brands, most recently serving as CEO of Ariana Grande’s cosmetics company.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Sasha Primak Acquires GemlokNew York-based atelier Gemlok is best known for creating the innovative “bridge” setting that became popular in the bridal market.
CollectionsAug 04, 2026
Musician Carlos Santana Launches Jewelry BrandSantana Now's debut collection, “Unidad,” features symbolic motifs as well as pieces of wood from the Woodstock stage.
CrimeAug 03, 2026
Florida Man Gets 15 Years in Trio of Jewelry Store RobberiesThe 50-year-old man pleaded guilty earlier this year to robbing two jewelry stores and a pawn shop of more than $700,000 in merchandise.
WatchesAug 03, 2026
Citizen's New Spider-Man Watch Is a Collector’s DreamThe watch’s dial features an original design by Marvel comics illustrator Adam Kubert.
Lab-GrownAug 03, 2026
Chatham Releases First Men’s CollectionThe new collection of lab-grown diamond and colored gemstone jewelry provides a “fresh perspective” on the category, Chatham said.
TrendsAug 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Spinel vs. Peridot While some August babies are team peridot, the month's time-honored birthstone, others are team spinel, the newer alternative.
TrendsJul 31, 2026
These Pieces of the Week Are Sweet Edina Kiss’ “Popsicle” pendant and Karina Choudhrie’s “Ice Cream” charm satisfy that summer craving for a sweet piece of jewelry.
MajorsJul 31, 2026
Macy’s Iconic Red Shopping Bag Sign Torn DownThe massive billboard has been in the same spot on the department store’s Herald Square flagship store for decades.
SourcingJul 31, 2026
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Jumps 72%The miner’s ruby and emerald auctions brought in a combined $102.9 million.
