Independents

Jeweler Susan Eisen Wins Top Design Prize

IndependentsJan 27, 2022

Jeweler Susan Eisen Wins Top Design Prize

Eisen won the “Best in Show” award at the Texas Jewelers Association Design Competition.

20220127_Eisen pendant.jpg
Jeweler Susan Eisen entered this yellow gold and diamond pendant with a 31-carat fantasy-cut ametrine in the center and won the “Best in Show” prize at the Texas Jewelers Association Design Competition.
El Paso, Texas—Jeweler and designer Susan Eisen took home the “Best in Show” prize at the Texas Jewelers Association Design Competition.

Eisen entered a yellow gold and diamond pendant with a 31-carat fantasy-cut ametrine in the center.

She drew the design by hand and then crafted the piece in her El Paso store using a custom wax carving and lost wax casting. The pendant was hand-finished and the diamonds were hand-set.

Eisen has won several design awards throughout her career and has seen nearly 60 pieces of her jewelry worn by celebrities during red carpet events, including the Oscars, the Emmys, and the Screen Actors Guild awards.

She is also the president of the Texas Jewelers Association.

The design competition was held late last year during its annual convention in Dallas, which was hosted in conjunction with the Select Jewelry Show.

 Related stories will be right here … 

The contest was open to Texas Jewelers Association members, employees of TJA members, and students enrolled at a college or university majoring in jewelry design.

All pieces had to be an original design and produced within a year before the show.

The prizes were awarded based on the creative use of materials, craftsmanship, wearability, originality, design, and fashion.

The judges were Melanie Bernal, a representative from Malakan Jewelry, and jewelry retailer Debbie Meeks from Bermuda Gold. 

Goldsmith Jim Rodgers of Gold N’ Carats also took home an award—he won first place in the “2021 Bench Jewelers Exclusive” contest.

The award goes to a goldsmith who works on a piece from conception to final polish.

For more information about the Texas Jewelers Association, visit the organization’s website.

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