MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
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
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
