Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
Events & AwardsNov 09, 2014
Niche Awards announces 2015 finalists
Designers Pamela Froman, Emanuela Duca and Mary Lynn Podiluk, creator of the engagement ring seen here, are among the jewelry artists nominated for the 2015 Niche Awards.
This “Infinite Diamond Engagement Ring” from Mary Lynn Podiluk was named a finalist in the Niche Awards Wedding category. Winners will be announced at a ceremony on Jan. 17 in Washington, D.C.
Baltimore--Niche magazine has named the finalists for its 2015 awards for excellence in fine craft, which includes various categories for jewelry design.
Judging is based on three main criteria: technical excellence in both surface design and form, market viability, and a distinct quality of unique, original and creative thought.
The professional division for jewelry covered eight categories: Alternative Materials, Fashion, Fine, Gold, Gold with Stones, Silver, Silver with Stones, and Wedding.
Following are the finalists that have been named in each category and the pieces they created. To view images of their pieces visit NicheAwards.com; the eight categories for jewelry designers are listed on the right-hand side under “Jewelry.”
Alternative Materials
--Yuka Okane Inoue of Lake Forest, Ill.; “I See the Wind”
--Molly Aleza Vogel of Ithaca, N.Y.; “Nocte Drops”
--Jungwha Kim of Los Alamitos, Calif.; “Refurbished #2”
--Jera Lodge of Cochranton, Pa; “Glamour Deluxe: Rust & Pearl”
--Nancy Slagle of Lubbock, Texas; “Purselane”
Fashion
--Alice Scott of Asheville, N.C.; “Sacred Constellation Pendant”
--Valerie Heck of Broadview Heights, Ohio; “Nova Earrings”
--Rocky Hedstrom of Crestone, Colo.; “Dandelion Seed Earrings”
--Laurie Leonard of Jeannette, Pa.; “Tree and Robin Necklace”
--Greg Geyer of Santa Barbara, Calif.; “Floral Study #5”
Fine
--Lori Gottlieb of Owings Mills, Md.; “Desert Rose Hinged Bracelet”
--Rosario Garcia of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; “Bracelete”
--Rona Fisher of Philadelphia; “Wild River Cuff”
--Jacob Albee of Burlington, Vt.; “Diamond Yin Yang Bracelet”
--Rocky Hedstrom; “Heron Ring”
Gold
--Baiyang Qiu of Milpitas, Calif.; “Round Necklace”
--Emanuela Duca of New York; “Roccia Cuff”
--Rona Fisher; “Open Pond, Half Full”
--Baxter Moerman of San Luis Obispo, Calif.; “Engraved Burl Earrings”
--Claudio Pino of Montreal; “Mystical Flowering”
Gold with Stones
--Patricia Madeja of West Islip, N.Y.; “Geometric Geode Neckpiece”
--Emily Gill of Toronto; “Quartz Bomb Ring”
--Baiyang Qiu; “Water Drop Earrings”
--Lee Marraccini of Charlottesville, Va.; “Chrysoprase Earrings”
--Robin Waynee of Santa Fe, N.M.; “Lens Ring”
Silver
--Gina Pankowski of Seattle; “Streamline Bracelet”
--Sonia Bandulet of LaSalle, Quebec; “Alien”
--Lori Gottlieb; “Wave Necklace with Diamonds”
--Lisa Hawthorne of Coquille, Ore.; “Meteor Bracelet”
--Alison Antelman of Berkeley, Calif.; “Hanging Garden”
Silver with Stones
--Robin Waynee; “Umbra Bracelet”
--Sadie Wang of Baxter, Tenn.; “FL Rectangle Wave Brooch”
--Patricia Madeja; “New Rolling Bubble Bracelet”
--Peter Tonjes of Cambridge, N.Y.; “Island Bracelet”
--Lynn Harrisberger of Virginia Beach, Va.; “Higher Ground”
Wedding
--Mary Lynn Podiluk of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; “Infinite Diamond Engagement Ring”
--Pamela Froman of Los
Angeles; “Harlequin Sparkle Bridal Suite”
--Martha Sullivan of South Portland, Maine; “Pile of Rings”
--Sonia Bandulet; “You Complete Me”
--Wendy Thurlow of Bradenton, Fla.; “Moss Band”
The winners will be announced at a ceremony on Jan. 17 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., held in conjunction with the American Made Show.
The Niche Awards, which are now in their 26th year, were started to recognize the outstanding creative achievements of American craft artists who produce work for craft galleries and retail stores.
In addition to jewelry, other categories in the Niche Awards include fashion accessories, furniture, home furnishings, wood, metal and recycled materials.
--Martha Sullivan of South Portland, Maine; “Pile of Rings”
--Sonia Bandulet; “You Complete Me”
--Wendy Thurlow of Bradenton, Fla.; “Moss Band”
The winners will be announced at a ceremony on Jan. 17 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., held in conjunction with the American Made Show.
The Niche Awards, which are now in their 26th year, were started to recognize the outstanding creative achievements of American craft artists who produce work for craft galleries and retail stores.
In addition to jewelry, other categories in the Niche Awards include fashion accessories, furniture, home furnishings, wood, metal and recycled materials.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
EditorsApr 24, 2025
Q&A: Wolf’s CEO Talks U.S. ExpansionSimon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.
IndependentsApr 24, 2025
Longtime Iowa Jeweler Herman Ginsberg Dies at 99 A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessThe risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.
FinancialsApr 24, 2025
Charles & Colvard Delisted From Nasdaq Due to NoncomplianceThe company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.
Weekly QuizApr 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingApr 24, 2025
Young Diamantaires Transition to NonprofitThe organization also announced its board of directors.
TrendsApr 24, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: So CharmingCharms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.
MajorsApr 23, 2025
Bulgari Doubles Size of Jewelry Factory in ItalyLocated in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to AuctionA platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.
MajorsApr 23, 2025
David Yurman’s New Campaign Stars Carmelo Anthony, Jaylen BrownThe basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine JewelryThe Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry CollectionThe 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of MouthLilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth OfficerGCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow IndependentThe Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 YearsVan Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise StrategyIndustry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host ConventionThe two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ PendantThe Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated StoreThe jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day CampaignThe “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired CollectionInterior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs ImpactDuring a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning CenterThe free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from MembersThe feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.
