MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
Events & AwardsApr 26, 2017
Rio Grande Announces Saul Bell Awards Finalists
The winners of the jewelry design and hollowware competition will be announced in May at a dinner in Albuquerque.
Jason Baide of Bozeman, Montana, is a finalist in the 2017 Saul Bell Awards competition for his ring, “Flexibility.” Baide competed in the Emerging Jewelry Artist category, which was split into two age groups this year: 18 and younger, and 22 and younger.
Albuquerque, N.M.--Rio Grande has released the names of the artists who are finalists in the 2017 Saul Bell Design Awards.
In its 17th year, the competition, which is named in honor of lifelong jewelry designer Saul Bell, who lived from 1900 to 1996, honors excellence in jewelry-making and hollowware. Entries are accepted from all over the world.
There were five individuals who served as judges for the first round of this year’s competition: Joseph DeBella, Phillip Scott, Royce Kohlmeyer, Maria Samora and Emily Benoist Ruffin.
And five judges for the final round: Debbie Sheezel, Kaminer Haislip, Mark Mann, Michael Good and Kent Riable.
A full list of the finalists is below, including the finalists in the Emerging Jewelry Artists category, which was divided into two age groups this year--18 and under, and 22 and under.
In addition, all the pieces can be seen on the website created specifically for the Saul Bell Awards. Judges’ biographies are available on the website as well.
Winners will be announced at a dinner scheduled for May 21 in Albuquerque.
Gold/Platinum
“Angel’s Teardrops” by Garen Garibian, Los Angeles
“Sinuous Line” by Henry Spencer, Effingham, New Hampshire
“Ruby Flora Cuff” by Ricardo Basta, Century City, California
“Aqua Morgana” by Adam Neeley, Laguna Beach, California
“Unfurl Rebel Jewel” by Sarah Williamson, Nevada City, California
Silver/Argentium Silver
“Origami Butterfly” by Sophia Hu, Las Vegas
“Aspen” by Wolfgang Vaatz, Rio Rico, Arizona
“Stampclastic” by Matthieu Cheminee, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
“Flipping Wedges Bangle” by Dana Fear, Cedar, Michigan
“Passarola” by Arturo Sanfelix Garcia, Valencia, Spain
Metal Clay
“Cultivated Woodland” by Cindy Miller, Athens, Alabama
“Triptych” by Iwona Tamborska, Kraków, Poland
“Fairy Flower Wreath” by Helen Sang, Pärnu, Estonia
“Thorn Bird” by Wendy Wallin Malinow, Portland, Oregon
“Cheshire Cat” by Liz Sabol, Pittsburgh
Enamel
“Dried Flower Series: Chrysanthemum” by Nicolette Absil, Philadelphia
“Fool’s Errand” by Sandra McEwen, Raleigh, North Carolina
“Evolutionary Ring” by Palash Banerjee, (Dubai, United Arab Emirates
“Warm Embrace” by Marcus Synnot, Mt. Claremont, Western Australia
“La Luna” by Karen Olsen Ramsey, Grass Valley, California
Hollowware/Art Objects
“Discovery of Eggcellance” by Aleksandr Maryaskin, Yorktown, Virginia
“Royal Coach” by Leonardo Maldonado, Delray Beach, Florida
“The Crane and Plum” by Haiyin Liang, Richmond, Virginia
“Nuthatch Box” by Henry Spencer, Effingham, New Hampshire
“Golden Botrus Teapot” by Genevieve Flynn, Kansas City, Missouri
Alternative Metals/Materials
“Turning Necklace” by Sophia Hu, Las Vegas
“Old World Vines” by Valerie Ostenak, Phoenix
“Poison Ring No. 2” by Andy Cooperman, Seattle
“Firenze” by Valerie Jo Coulson, Pequea, Pennsylvania
“3 Lines and 9 Dots” by E. Douglas Wunder, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Emerging Jewelry Artist 18 Years of Age or Younger
“Sovereign Ring” by Matthew Tom, Wellesley, Massachusetts
“Aspirations” by Sinclaire Vandervoort, Wellesley
“Rocket Askew” by Autumn Lee, Auburn, Washington
“The Reign Never Ceases” by Jhordin Prescott, Auburn
“Locked In” by Jordan Harrison, Auburn
Emerging Jewelry Artist 22 Years of Age or Younger
“Tomato Flower” by Valerie James, Lansdale, Pennsylvania
“Embrace” by Yeonjung Hong, Providence, Rhode Island
“Treasure Box” by Steven Voorheis, Cannon Beach, Oregon
“Flexibility” by Jason Baide, Bozeman, Montana
“Mismatched” by Ryan Bodley, Westerville, Ohio
“Aspirations” by Sinclaire Vandervoort, Wellesley
“Rocket Askew” by Autumn Lee, Auburn, Washington
“The Reign Never Ceases” by Jhordin Prescott, Auburn
“Locked In” by Jordan Harrison, Auburn
Emerging Jewelry Artist 22 Years of Age or Younger
“Tomato Flower” by Valerie James, Lansdale, Pennsylvania
“Embrace” by Yeonjung Hong, Providence, Rhode Island
“Treasure Box” by Steven Voorheis, Cannon Beach, Oregon
“Flexibility” by Jason Baide, Bozeman, Montana
“Mismatched” by Ryan Bodley, Westerville, Ohio
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
Weekly QuizJul 31, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.
IndependentsJul 31, 2025
Matthew Tratner Takes Over as CBG President Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
FinancialsJul 30, 2025
Kering's Jewelry Brands Resilient As H1 Sales Slide 16%The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.
WatchesJul 30, 2025
Peek Inside Zadok Jewelers’ New Rolex Showroom in AustinIts opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.
SurveysJul 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JulyRespondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
SourcingJul 30, 2025
Rob Bates to Release Latest Book in His ‘Diamond District Mystery’ Series“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.
EditorsJul 29, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s Design Studio in LASenior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.
SourcingJul 29, 2025
Auctim to Offer 7.3M+ Carats of Rough EmeraldsThe online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.
MajorsJul 29, 2025
Alexis Padis Re-Elected AGS Board President She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.
Policies & IssuesJul 28, 2025
U.S.-EU Come to Agreement on Tariffs Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.
CollectionsJul 28, 2025
Nanis Brings a New Palette to ‘Ipanema’A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.
MajorsJul 28, 2025
The 1916 Company Partners with ‘Shark Tank’ Star’s Watch Insurance PlatformThe retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.
IndependentsJul 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin to Open Flagship in Arkansas The jeweler’s largest store yet is set to open in Little Rock next fall.
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong ShowJewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementMark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2 While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio CharactersThe “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.
