Events & Awards

And the Winners of the 2018 Couture Design Awards Are …

Events & AwardsJun 04, 2018

And the Winners of the 2018 Couture Design Awards Are …

This year’s edition of the jewelry design awards included the question, is it OK to propose to myself if the ring is really beautiful?

20180604_CDA-header.jpg
Heather Moore beat out Konstantino and Nancy Newberg to take home the Couture Design Award in the Best in Silver category. Inspired by a trip to Africa, the inside of his elephant cuff is high polish so the wearer can see her or his reflection and is engraved with the words “The Tipping Point,” as a reminder to stay involved and contribute to causes like protecting the wild elephant population.

Las Vegas--The Couture Design Awards were held Saturday night at the Wynn Las Vegas and included laughs, tears and, of course, plenty of stunning jewelry.

They also posed the question, Is it OK to propose to yourself if the ring is really, really good? (We say yes.)

Considered one of the world’s premier jewelry design contests, this year’s edition of the Couture Design Awards recognized winners in 15 categories, including two chosen by the public.

The judges were: Adam Gorman of I. Gorman in Washington, D.C.; Robb Report’s Jill Newman; Broken English owner Laura Freedman; jewelry designer Victor Velyan; and Will Kahn, accessories director at Town & Country.

Read on to see the pieces chosen as the winners in the 2018 edition of the jewelry design contest.

The first award of the night, Best in Pearls, went to this necklace by Australian company Autore, which creates designs using Australian South Sea pearls.




It was the fourth Couture Design Award win for the Sydney-based jewelry company.

Best in Innovative went to these earrings by British jewelry designer Stephen Webster, who was the recipient of the Cindy Edelstein Award last year for all he has done to mentor young jewelry designers.




Eva Fehren, who was exhibiting in the Design Atelier, won Best in Bridal with this diamond ring.




“I like this ring so much, I was thinking—is it weird to propose to myself?” Eva Zuckerman, the designer behind the brand, asked jokingly from the stage when accepting her award. “I really don’t want to sell it.”

Heather B. Moore, the Cleveland-based jewelry designer known for her personalized pieces, took home the Couture Design Award for Best in Silver with this magnificent cuff featuring a herd of elephants with gold tusks.




She said she was inspired to create the cuff after traveling to Africa with her four children and coming in contact with elephants, some populations of which are threatened due to poaching.  




Italian jeweler Carolina Bucci won Best in Gold for this stunning scarf-like creation rendered in the metal, while Best in Platinum went to Japanese company Kuwayama for the necklace pictured below.




Ann Korman, the designer behind ARK Fine Jewelry and one of the innovative jewelry artists represented by showroom For Future Reference, won in the Best in Colored Gemstones Under $20K category for her opal and moonstone earrings.  




Best in Colored Gemstones Above $20K went

to Amrapali Jewels for this brooch featuring a 50-carat emerald and one of the Jaipur, India-based company’s signature “lotus-cut” diamonds.




In the Diamonds categories, Best in Diamonds Below $20K went to Studio Rêves for these earrings, while Mike Joseph won Best in Diamonds Above $20K for his incredible cascading necklace (both below).




Joseph thanked both his team and his brother when accepting his award.




The Couture Design Awards also includes honors for designers new to the jewelry trade show, high jewelry, two honors selected by members of the public and a nod to makers of men’s jewelry.

Danish company Shamballa Jewels won the second Best in Men’s Couture Design Award (the category was added last year) for the customizable SJ Flip Bracelet in 18-karat gold with gemstones and the brand’s signature Star of Shamballa bead.




Best in Debuting went to Vram, the Los Angeles-based brand headed by Vram Minassian, who was among the designers National Jeweler highlighted in a preview of designers new to the jewelry trade show this year.




Nikos Koulis won Best in Haute Couture for this incredible diamond, enamel and rock crystal creation.




The Editor’s Choice Award went to the below earrings by Fernando Jorge, who won last year in the Diamonds Above $20K category.



In accepting his award, the Brazilian-born jewelry designer thanked Stephen Webster for bringing him to Couture seven years ago, adding that young designers thanking Webster for his mentorship is “becoming a tradition” at the Couture Design Awards.

The final award of the evening, People’s Choice, was voted on via text live at the show, and went to Julez Bryant, who tearfully shared the story of how her “Ghostrider” pendant was made just before her mother passed away, and is dedicated to all those who are “riding out” of life.




In conclusion, she dedicated her win to other jewelry designers who got pushback early on in their careers.

“This,” she said of her award, “is for us garage designers who people said would never make it.”
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Pope Francis
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ Ring

Before Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.

1998 Cosmograph Daytona, Ref.16516 Rolex
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s Sale

The one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.

Jeweler Constance Polamalu at Bloomstone, a store that specializes in lab-grown diamonds
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.

antique_Vegas_2024_by_headshot_stories_9454.jpg
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the Globe

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Surveillance footage Tiffany & Co. Seattle robbery
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.

Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Jeff Corey, new chairperson of the board for the Jewelers Board of Trade
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.

Foundrae Ingot Pendant
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical Metalsmiths

The donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.

Supplier Spotlight -Recorded-Webinar.png
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest Addition

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

Eiseman Jewels ribbon cutting ceremony
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and Better

Located in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.

Diamond Council of America
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course Updates

The nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.

Malyia McNaughton and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education Fund

BIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.

Harwell Godfrey Snake Giza Ring, Foundrae Mind, Body Soul Story Necklace, Tiffany & Co. Tiffany Titan By Pharrell Williams Bracelet
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past Decade

As 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.

Lightbox’s Reminiscence Poet earrings in 14-karat white gold with lab-grown diamonds
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.

Stock image of shipping containers
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.

Lugano Diamonds store in Greenwich, Connecticut
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal Investigation

Moti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.

Coeur Percé Scapular Necklace and Love Baby Locket
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s Day

Lichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.

Gemfields emeralds
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in Zambia

The miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.

Stock image of a man’s hands in handcuffs
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.

2025 Met Gala jewelry
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry Moments

Associate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.

instappraise-1.png
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal Format

Sponsored by Instappraise

Brilliant Earth three stone Sabine diamond engagement ring
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1

CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.

Exterior of Margot McKinney Beverly Hills Location
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New Boutique

The brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.

Cathy Marsh
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales Manager

Cathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.

Pandora gold and silver charm bracelet
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for Tariffs

The company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.

Headshot of Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and Beyond

Connecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.

Gemfields rough emeralds
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest Auction

Its commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.

Logo for “In the Loupe,” Punchmark’s podcast
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest

National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy