MajorsMay 16, 2025
Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon Partner on Luxury Online StorefrontPlus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2016
‘Illusion’ earrings take top honors in design contest
The Cultured Pearl Association of America has announced the winners of its 6th annual International Pearl Design Competition.
Providence, R.I.--The Cultured Pearl Association of America has announced the winners of its sixth annual International Pearl Design Competition.
The winners are as follows.
--President’s Trophy: “Illusion” by Alexia Gryllaki of Athens, Greece
--Luster Award: “Yes or No” by Wei-Na Tu of Taipei City, Taiwan
--Designer’s Award: “Pearls and Lace in Space” by Brenda Smith of Woodstock, Ga.
--Brilliance Award: “There is More to Them Than Meets the Eye” by Shu-Yi Huang of New Taipei City, Taiwan
--Orient Award: “Sizing Up Shapes” by Kuan-Chen Hou of Taipei City, Taiwan
--The Visionary Award: “Candies” by Ting-Ju Lin of Taipei, Taiwan
--The Fashion Award (shared by two): “Josie” by Mary Feliciano of Union City, N.J., and “Spiral Revolution Earrings” by Geoffrey Middle of Leicestershire, England
--Wedding Day Pearls: “Dancing with the Stars” by Shin Yue Chen of Taipei City, Taiwan
--Fantasy Award: “Splash & Love” by Indika Wijayarathna of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Commendations also were given to 12 entries that demonstrate high standards of achievement in accordance with judging criteria. Those winners are as follows.
--Jorge Adeler of Great Falls, Va.
--Paula Crevoshay of Albuquerque, N.M.
--Aspen Demirdjian of Los Angeles
--Hector Hassey of The Woodlands, Texas
--Chi Huynh, Galatea Jewelry by Artist of San Dimas, Calif.
--Michael Jensen of Rio Rancho, N.M.
--Patrick King of Durham, N.C.
--Elizabeth Kirby of Harbor Springs, Mich.
--Francesco Lops of Dubai, United Arab Emirates
--Mark Schneider of Long Beach, Calif.
--Hisano Shepherd of Los Angeles
--Saul Waxman of Miami
All winning entries not created upon submission will be produced in time to be displayed. For the first time, the CPAA is asking those who received commendations to display their winning pieces at the 2016 AGTA GemFair show in Tucson, Ariz. and the 2016 JCK Las Vegas show, along with the winners’ pieces.
Jean Francois Bibet of Cartier, Cheryl Kremkow of Citrine Media, Jewelers of America’s Amanda Gizzi, Claudia Mata of W magazine, and JCK’s Jennifer Heebner judged the competition this year.
A nonprofit group founded in 1957, the CPAA serves to cultivate awareness, interest, demand and marketing for cultured pearls for retailers and consumers.
Shu-Yi Huang of New Taipei City, Taiwan, won the Brilliance Award for “There is more to them than meets the eye.” The award is given to the best illustration for the spectrum of pearl colors.
The Designer’s Award, given to the entry that takes pearls “to the far corners of the imagination,” was given to the “Pearls and Lace in Space” design from Brenda Smith of Woodstock, Ga.
Indika Wijayarathna of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s “Splash & Love” design won the Fantasy Award for the best conceptual, aspirational design.
The Fashion Award, given to the modern, fresh design that could be seen on a Paris runway, was given to two different contestants. At left is Mary Feliciano of Union City, N.J.’s “Josie” piece, and at right are the “Spiral Revolution Earrings” by Geoffrey Middle of Leicestershire, England.
These “Yes or No” earrings by Wei-Na Tu of Taipei City, Taiwan were honored with the Luster Award, given to the most marketable design for retail.
The Orient Award goes to a compelling design aesthetic that inspires a new affinity for pearls. In the 2015-2016 contest, it was given to Kuan-Chen Hou of Taipei City, Taiwan for “Sizing Up Shapes.”
The President’s Trophy, the highest honor awarded in the competition, was given to Alexia Gryllaki of Athens, Greece, for the “Illusion” earrings.
The “Candies” necklace from Ting-Ju Lin of Taipei was honored with the Visionary Award, given to the design that redefines the iconic pearl strand and shifts the perception of cultured pearls for today’s consumer.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Recorded WebinarsMay 16, 2025
Watch: Physical Retail Is Not DeadPeter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.
CollectionsMay 16, 2025
Piece of the Week: Tejen’s ‘Candy Bowl’ Torque NecklaceThe necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMay 15, 2025
'The Mediterranean Blue' Diamond Sells for $21M at Sotheby’sA private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for SummerThe designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With DisabilitiesAround 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past DecadeAs a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
