Jeweler Susan Eisen Wins Top Design Prize
Eisen won the “Best in Show” award 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.
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.
The Latest

When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.

The “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.

The jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.

As gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.

Up for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.


The Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.

The organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

Saks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.

Smith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.

The Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.

The retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.

The price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.

The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.

Sotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.

A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.

From Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.

The show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.

The revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.

The miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.

The “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.

This year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.

The author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.

Three-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.

Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.

These up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.






















