MajorsJan 30, 2024
6 Retailers Chosen for New JA, BIJC Business Program Events & AwardsFeb 13, 2024
First Responders Win BIJC’s Second ‘Together by Design’ Contest
The couple won a bespoke engagement ring set with a 1.44-carat fancy yellow diamond and designed by Michael Hogan.
First responders Nana, left, and Jennifer won the Black in Jewelry Coalition’s second “Together by Design” contest. As the winners, they received a bespoke yellow diamond engagement ring created by designer Michael Hogan.
New York—It’s a story perfect to share ahead of Feb. 14.
A pair of first responders who met during training and later reconnected are the winners of the Black in Jewelry Coalition’s (BJIC) second “Together by Design” contest and competition.
The future groom, Nana, was the one who entered the “Love Story” portion of the contest, sharing details of how he met his now-fiancée, Jennifer, while the two were attending an EMS training academy.
They initially were just friends but after graduation, they reconnected and became more.
Phase two of Together by Design challenged jewelry designers to sketch a bespoke ring based on the couple’s love story as well as the dates, symbols, and landmarks Nana listed as being special to the pair.
Michael Hogan, of Michael Hogan Jewelry, won the competition and, with Nana’s input, refined his sketch to create a one-of-a-kind platinum ring centered on a Gemological Institute of America-graded 1.44-carat fancy yellow diamond.
A pair of first responders who met during training and later reconnected are the winners of the Black in Jewelry Coalition’s (BJIC) second “Together by Design” contest and competition.
The future groom, Nana, was the one who entered the “Love Story” portion of the contest, sharing details of how he met his now-fiancée, Jennifer, while the two were attending an EMS training academy.
They initially were just friends but after graduation, they reconnected and became more.
Phase two of Together by Design challenged jewelry designers to sketch a bespoke ring based on the couple’s love story as well as the dates, symbols, and landmarks Nana listed as being special to the pair.
Michael Hogan, of Michael Hogan Jewelry, won the competition and, with Nana’s input, refined his sketch to create a one-of-a-kind platinum ring centered on a Gemological Institute of America-graded 1.44-carat fancy yellow diamond.
The engagement ring designer Michael Hogan crafted for the winning “Together by Design” couple, Nana and Jennifer, incorporated personal elements, like the Wonder Wheel at Coney Island and three sapphires symbolic of the couple’s shared faith in God.
The ring on Jennifer’s hand after she said “yes” to Nana
“The creation of this ring draws profound inspiration from the couple’s narrative, weaving in the significance of their special place at Coney Island, [with] the Roman numeral date they value discreetly placed at its base, [three] sapphire gemstones representing their spiritual journey, and the Ferris wheel delicately etched on its inner circumference,” Hogan said.
“Each element holds deep personal meaning meticulously intertwined within the design. That’s why I call it ‘Elements of Love;’ it encapsulates these cherished symbols that resonate intimately with their story and emotions.”
Nungu Diamonds donated the yellow diamond, while Platinum Guild International USA donated the metal used to create the ring.
While Nana and Jennifer went home with a bespoke engagement ring, the winning designer’s prize package included $5,000 cash, various scholarships for continuing jewelry education, and one-year memberships to BIJC, Jewelers of America and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
Launched in 2021, Together by Design was conceived by BIJC to spotlight Black love and award an emerging Black jewelry designer.
Nellie Barnett, GIA’s manager of corporate communications, led the Together by Design committee.
She was assisted by Adrianne Sanogo, G.G.; Amanda Gizzi, director of PR and events at JA; JA Chief Financial Officer Annie Doresca; Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez, director of membership and marketing at JVC; Grace Barretti, senior marketing manager at Greenwich St. Jewelers; GIA Vice President of Human Resources Lisa Jones; Rebecca Moskal, PGI’s vice president of marketing; and Michelle Graff, editor-in-chief of National Jeweler.
All the Together By Design judges are BIJC members.
Love Story contest judges included Graff and Jones along with jewelry editor and writer Tanya Dukes, and Severine Ferrari, founder of Engagement 101.
Sanogo, Johnny Nelson of Johnny Nelson Jewelry, Lauren Harwell Godfrey of Harwell Godfrey, and Christian Bolling of Christian Stoné judged the jewelry design portion of the competition.
For more about the BIJC, visit the organization’s website.
To see a video of Nana’s proposal, check out BIJC’s YouTube channel.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
SourcingMay 15, 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.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
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.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 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.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
IndependentsMay 12, 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.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
