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.
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
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.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
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.
Weekly QuizSep 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
CollectionsSep 17, 2026
Cynthia Erivo, Zoë Chicco’s Jewelry Collab Is an Ode to TransformationThe “Chrysalis” capsule centers butterfly motifs representing growth, transformation, and the unfolding of who you are.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
Louisiana Retailer Kevin Patton Wins Lifetime Achievement AwardJewelers of Louisiana presented Patton, the third-generation president of Pattons Fine Jewelry, with the award at its annual convention.
PodcastsSep 16, 2026
Episode 9: Remembering Cindy EdelsteinTwo special guests join the podcast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the designer advocate, mentor, and author’s untimely passing.
CollectionsSep 16, 2026
Jessica McCormack, L’Objet Collab on Homewares CollectionMcCormack brings sea-inspired motifs from her “Beaches” collection to L’Objet’s tableware, vanity pieces, and first-ever cutlery set.
CrimeSep 16, 2026
JSA Issues Warning to NJ Jewelers After Rash of Smash and GrabsNine New Jersey jewelers have been victims of smash-and-grab robberies this year, prompting JSA to circulate a list of recommendations.
IndependentsSep 16, 2026
Bromberg & Co. Names New PresidentMarlin “Brian” Hood, who has been with the store for 20 years, will succeed Ricky Bromberg, who died earlier this month.
MajorsSep 16, 2026
Midas Chain Releases ‘House of Midas’ Bridal CatalogThe new bridal catalog features the latest jewelry collections and designs from timeless classics to modern silhouettes.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
2026 Emmys Jewelry: An Either/Or Proposition Stars wore either a necklace or earrings at 78th Primetime Emmy Awards but rarely both, Natalie Francisco notes.
ColumnistsSep 15, 2026
The Levels Your Website Must Clear Before AI Recommends YouJennifer Shaheen compares this new era of AI-powered SEO to a video game: your website must clear one level before advancing to the next.
IndependentsSep 15, 2026
Armadani Launches Retail Support Program for Holiday SeasonThe program highlights “Made in Italy” fine jewelry with digital merchandising, sales education, and local marketing support.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
Q&A: Signet Jewelers’ Joan Hilson on Diamond Demand, the HolidaysHilson, Signet’s chief operating and financial officer, discussed Q2, resurgent natural diamond demand, and why Blue Nile is a standout.
ColumnistsSep 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
