Events & AwardsNov 26, 2025
Grandview Klein Presents 4 Scholarships in NamibiaEvents & AwardsDec 10, 2025
MJSA Names 2025 Responsible Design Challenge Winner
Silas Smith of Meridian Metalworks won the challenge with his pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes.
Silas Smith is the owner and designer of Meridian Metalworks in Los Angeles. His winning pendant uses Columbia Gem House’s Lighting Ridge opals from New South Wales, Australia, and green and blue Australian sapphires.
New York—The Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA) has announced that Silas Smith is the winner of the 2025 MJSA Responsible Design Challenge.
Smith, the owner and designer of Meridian Metalworks in Los Angeles, won the online initiative that highlights responsibly sourced gemstones and supports worthy causes in the communities where these gemstones are mined.
The 2025 MJSA Responsible Design Challenge, sponsored by MJSA and Columbia Gem House, is an annual competition that invites designers to create custom renderings inspired by the story of a fictional client.
Their designs must feature a selection of gemstones chosen and supplied by Columbia Gem House.
This year’s client was Matilda “Tilly” Cleary, an Australian scientist with a deep commitment to land stewardship.
The featured gems were Lighting Ridge opals from New South Wales, Australia, and green and blue Australian sapphires.
Smith’s winning design was a pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes as a stylized desert scene.
“I kept the imagery simple: a red rock formation on one side, a yellow cactus on the other, and a dark sky above, punctuated by an opal moon and scattered stars,” said Smith.
“Beneath that, a burst of yellow plant life brings in energy and balance. The colors are bold but purposeful, chosen to echo the earthy tones of the Outback while also feeling at home in the American Southwest.”
Related stories will be right here …
Smith, the owner and designer of Meridian Metalworks in Los Angeles, won the online initiative that highlights responsibly sourced gemstones and supports worthy causes in the communities where these gemstones are mined.
The 2025 MJSA Responsible Design Challenge, sponsored by MJSA and Columbia Gem House, is an annual competition that invites designers to create custom renderings inspired by the story of a fictional client.
Their designs must feature a selection of gemstones chosen and supplied by Columbia Gem House.
This year’s client was Matilda “Tilly” Cleary, an Australian scientist with a deep commitment to land stewardship.
The featured gems were Lighting Ridge opals from New South Wales, Australia, and green and blue Australian sapphires.
Smith’s winning design was a pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes as a stylized desert scene.
“I kept the imagery simple: a red rock formation on one side, a yellow cactus on the other, and a dark sky above, punctuated by an opal moon and scattered stars,” said Smith.
“Beneath that, a burst of yellow plant life brings in energy and balance. The colors are bold but purposeful, chosen to echo the earthy tones of the Outback while also feeling at home in the American Southwest.”
Nine designers completed MJSA’s challenge and their pieces were raffled off in the “Opals for Outback Heroes” fundraiser.
The other designers were:
Marilyn Brogan of Marilyn Brogan Jewelry in Apalachicola, Florida;
Laura Deakin of Coral Covey Jewellery in Melbourne, Australia;
Delphine Leymarie of Delphine Leymarie Fine Jewelry in New York City;
Jiovanni Mancarella of Lux Forge in Denver;
Kelsey McQown of Moraine Jewelry in Leland, Michigan;
Kassandra Nicholson of Kassandra Nicholson Jewelry in Los Angeles;
Destené Styles of House Third Rock in New York City; and
Allison Teague of Allison Alane Jewelry Designs Ltd. in Brooklyn, New York.
The raffle raised $6,900 to support the Lightning Ridge Rural Fire Brigade, the volunteer team that provides critical frontline protection for the community where the gems were sourced.
Columbia Gem House said that MJSA’s challenge continues to encourage greater awareness of responsible sourcing and the impact of designers’ choices.
Through October, each of the nine designs were presented monthly on MJSA’s website alongside an online poll for viewers to vote for their favorite.
The completed pieces were featured in the MJSA Journal December issue.
For more information about the Responsible Design Challenge, visit the MJSA website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be TakingJSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.
AuctionsSep 24, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Heads to UK Jewelry AuctionThe fancy light blue diamond is estimated to fetch up to $2.6 million at Elmwood’s next week.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
TrendsSep 24, 2026
This New Jewelry Book Decodes the Secret Meaning in Victorian Jewelry“Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry” unveils the meaning behind the symbols, motifs, and gemstones used in Victorian-era jewelry.
Weekly QuizSep 24, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownSep 24, 2026
Kira Jewels Opens B2B E-Commerce Portal for Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry KIRAJewels.one gives retailers access to more than 500 SKUs of lab-grown diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, PersonalizationThis holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SourcingSep 23, 2026
Organization That Promotes Natural Diamond Rebrands for Third Time The Natural Diamond Council is now The Diamond Collective and has announced a new strategy under CEO Amber Pepper.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
This Milwaukee-Area Jeweler Is Serving the 7CsPaul’s Jewelers sells coffee, chocolate, and cookies from a custom gold-wrapped trailer parked outside the store starting at 7 a.m.
MajorsSep 23, 2026
Kay Jewelers’ New Campaign Goes ‘All In’ on LovePart of its brand relaunch, the marketing around the campaign includes a contest involving a jacket set with 550 diamonds.
CollectionsSep 23, 2026
Pucker Up for Pandora’s New Pat McGrath Jewelry CollabThe jewelry giant has partnered with the famed makeup artist to create a colorful new collection of charms and rings.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Texas Jewelers Association to Celebrate 120th AnniversaryThe association will mark the milestone at its convention next month.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event ReturnsThe jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court RulesA federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to RetireBernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California StoreThe relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
Policies & IssuesSep 17, 2026
Tariffs on India Could Increase as Russian Sanctions Bill Heads to Trump’s DeskThe bill has a provision that allows the president to raise tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas to as much as 100 percent.
