Chris Blakeslee has experience at Athleta and Alo Yoga. Kendra Scott will remain on board as executive chair and chief visionary officer.
JA Adds Consumer Voting Component to CASE
There now is a “People’s Choice” award in the competition, which is open for submissions from Jewelers of America retail members through Feb. 17.

New York--Jewelers of America is now accepting entries for its CASE Awards, which has a new consumer aspect this year.
The organization’s CASE Awards honor jewelers who create jewelry pieces at the highest levels of creativity, artistry, skills and excellence (CASE) in both quality and style.
New to the competition this year is a “People’s Choice” award. From March 1 to 8, consumers will vote online at Jewelers.org to select their favorite piece.
JA will promote the online voting period through a social media and digital marketing campaign to give the competition’s entrants additional exposure.
There are four categories for which jewelers can submit pieces: jewelry to $2,000 retail value; jewelry $2,001 to $5,000 retail value; jewelry $5,001 to $10,000 retail value; and jewelry $10,001 to $50,000 retail value.
A panel of industry judges will evaluate entries based on overall design, marketability, practicality/wearability, and quality of manufacture.
Winners will receive a $500 cash prize as well as national trade and consumer media exposure among other prizes, including being displayed at the upcoming JA New York Spring Show scheduled for March 12 to 14.
JA retail members and their employees can submit their entries now through Feb. 17.
“For so many retail stores, custom designs and talented bench jewelers are the core of their business,” JA President and CEO David Bonaparte said. “Jewelers of America proudly recognizes their talents with the CASE Awards, which now gives even more exposure to retail jewelers through the new ‘People’s Choice’ CASE Award.”
For more information about CASE and complete entry guidelines, visit Jewelers.org or contact JA member services at 800-223-0673.
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