Events & AwardsAug 03, 2023
See the 2023 CASE Award WinnersEvents & AwardsAug 17, 2023
Baton Rouge Jeweler Nearly Sweeps Design Competition
Ara Chanakian took two first-place awards and Best in Show honors in Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
Ara Chanakian’s pendant featuring a chrysocolla set in 14-karat gold and surrounded by diamonds won first place in its category and “Best in Show” in the Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual design competition. Chanakian is bench jeweler and custom designer at Pattons Jewelry store in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Metairie, La.—Jewelers of Louisiana held its annual jewelry design competition earlier this month, with one jeweler taking three of the four top prizes.
Held during the association’s convention on Aug. 5 and 6, the competition considers overall design, marketability, practicality/wearability, and craftsmanship.
Jewels entered into the competition had to be crafted from precious metals and genuine gemstones and made in the last 18 months.
The competition had three categories sorted by price. Category one was for pieces that retail for up to $2,000; category two was for jewels retailing for $2,001-$6,000; and category three was for jewelry that retails for more than $6,000.
A panel of jewelers picked the winners in each category, while votes from convention attendees determined the competition’s top prize, “Best in Show.”
Richard Melancon of Melancon Jewelers in Abbeville, Louisiana, took first place in category one with a 14-karat yellow gold ring featuring a freeform 3.1-carat Ethiopian opal, pictured above.
First place in categories two and three went to the same jeweler—Ara Chanakian, bench jeweler and custom designer at Pattons Jewelry store in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Chanakian won the second category with a 14-karat rose and white gold ring featuring a 9.5mm Akoya pearl, a pink sapphire, and 0.88 carats of D-color, VVS1-clarity diamonds, pictured below.
He took both first place in the third category and Best in Show honors with his chrysocolla pendant set in 14-karat white and yellow gold with 1.88 carats of D-color, VVS1-clarity diamonds, pictured at top of article.
Chanakian designed the pendant’s setting to mimic wheat spikes, symbolizing life as well as growth, prosperity, and abundance.
He said, “I am deeply honored to have received these awards. They validate the dedication and quality that I strive to infuse into my work throughout my career. This accolade not only reflects my personal commitment but also mirrors the excellence of Louisiana’s jewelry craftsmanship on a national stage.”
It was not the first win for Chanakian or Pattons Jewelry at the Jewelers of Louisiana convention.
Last year, the jeweler won three awards, including the “Jeweler of Louisiana” award, which went to Pattons team member Tenisha Jason-Moore.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “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.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
SourcingJun 05, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
AGS Honors Late Peter Yantzer, Holds Time Capsule CeremonyThe organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
Neiman Marcus’ Downtown Dallas Store to Close in SeptemberSaks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace 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.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
