PodcastsJan 21, 2026
Episode 1: High Gold Prices, the Diamond Dilemma, & What’s NextWas 2025 a good year for jewelers? Did lab-grown diamonds outsell natural? Find out on the first episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
Events & AwardsMay 23, 2019
Rio Grande Has Crowned its 2019 ‘Saul Bell’ Winners
The awards support emerging jewelry designers.
Debbie Sheezel of Melbourne, Australia’s “Lineal Alchemy” necklace earned best-of-show honors in this year’s Saul Bell Design Award Competition.
Albuquerque, N.M.—Jewelry supply company Rio Grande has crowned the winners of its 19th annual Saul Bell Design Award Competition.
Named for company founder Saul Bell, the awards recognize up-and-coming jewelry design talent, lending them a platform to display their work and monetary prizes to assist in establishing their brands.
This year, two separate panels of judges made up of various jewelers and designers judged entries in two rounds, selecting first and second place winners across nine categories, plus a best-of-show winner.
Awards and prizes were presented at a special gala concurrent with the Santa Fe Symposium, which took place May 19 to 22.
Debbie Sheezel of Melbourne, Australia, earned best-of-show honors for her “Lineal Alchemy” necklace, pictured at the top of the article.
The winners in the nine categories were as follows.
Enamel
First Place: “Spirit & Flame" by Sandra McEwen (Raleigh, North Carolina)
Second Place: “The Endless Love” by Garen Garibian (Los Angeles)
Gold/Platinum
First Place: “Moebius No.1” by Pierre-Yves Paquette (Saint-Jerome, Quebec, Canada)
Second Place: “Star Hen Galaxy Pendant” by Adam Neeley (Laguna Beach, California)
Silver/Argentium Silver
First Place: “Prospect Palace” by Mehrnoosh Ganji (Melbourne, Australia)
Second Place: “Suftal Fidda” by Maja Houtman (Utrecht, Netherlands)
Alternative Metals/Materials
First Place: “Eclipsim” by Kirk Lang (Seattle)
Second Place: “Torus Bracelet for an Astronaut” by Ezra Satok-Wolman (Caledon, Ontario, Canada)
Hollowware/Art Objects
First Place: “Luminous Relic #1628” by David Huang (Sand Lake, Michigan)
Second Place: “The Echinacea Teapot” by Valerie Jo Coulson (Pequea, Pennsylvania)
Jewelry Collection Fashion/Bridge
First Place: “Kirigami Pearl Collection” by Karin Jacobson (Minneapolis)
Second Place: “Jupiter” by Liz Sabol (Pittsburgh)
Jewelry Collection Couture/Fine
First Place: “HELICES” by Sophia Hu (Las Vegas)
Second Place: “Sunshine and Shadow” by Valerie Jo Coulson (Pequea, Pennsylvania)
Emerging Jewelry Artist 18 Years of Age and Younger
First Place: “Midnight” by Christopher Liu (Allen, Texas)
Second Place: “Mokume Chainmail Choker” by Ethan Hansen (Salida, Colorado)
Emerging Jewelry Artist 22 Years of Age and Younger
First Place: “Open Spiculum Cuff with Black Diamond” by Timo Krapf (Pittsford, New York)
Second Place: “Flower of Life Amulet” by Tristan Dunn (Asheville, North Carolina)
“I really appreciated the two rounds of judges in the competition,” Winner Sophia Hu said in a press release. “They have the eyes and taste to see deeper, to identify and appreciate all the design efforts I put into each design in this collection.”
For information about the 2020 competition, including requirements for applying, visit SaulBellAward.com or email events@riogrande.com.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
EditorsJan 21, 2026
6 Jewelry Designers Poised to Have a Breakout Year in 2026Whether you recognize their jewels or are just discovering them now, these designers’ talent and vision make them ones to watch this year.
SourcingJan 21, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
CrimeJan 21, 2026
4 Men Charged in $1.7M California Smash-and-Grab Jewelry Store RobberyPlus, JSA’s Scott Guginsky discusses the need for jewelers to take more precautions as the gold price continues to climb.
Weekly QuizJan 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsJan 21, 2026
Delaware Jeweler Felice Morris Dies at 91Morris’ most cherished role was being a mother and grandmother, her family said.
CollectionsJan 21, 2026
Bulgari Weaves New Collection of ‘Vimini’ Creations“Vimini” is the first chapter of the “Bulgari Eternal” collection that merges archival pieces with modern creations.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
ColumnistsJan 20, 2026
First-Party Data Is the Most Valuable Asset Jewelers Have in 2026Data built on trust, not tracking, will be key to success going forward, as the era of “borrowed attention” ends, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsJan 20, 2026
Borsheims Hires New Assistant Facilities ManagerHeath Yarges brings two decades of experience to the role.
EditorsJan 16, 2026
Remembering Pete Yantzer for His Contributions and His Kindness Pete’s boundless curiosity extended beyond diamond cut and he was always eager to share his knowledge with others, no matter the topic.
FinancialsJan 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Shine in Q3Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier had another successful holiday season, Richemont reported this week.
TrendsJan 16, 2026
Diane Lane's Brooch Buzzes at the 2026 Golden GlobesOur Piece of the Week is Lagos’ “Bee” brooch that was seen on the red carpet for the first time on Sunday.
CrimeJan 15, 2026
D.C. Rapper ‘Taliban Glizzy’ Sentenced to 18+ Years for Jewelry Store RobberiesTrevor Jonathan Wright led a crew in a string of armed robberies targeting South Asian-owned jewelry stores on the East Coast.
Events & AwardsJan 15, 2026
Jewelers of Americas’ ‘20 Under 40’ Nominations Now OpenThe program recognizes rising professionals in the jewelry industry.
Events & AwardsJan 15, 2026
Registration for JCK Las Vegas 2026 Is Now OpenA new lifestyle section and a watch showcase have been added to this year’s event.
TrendsJan 15, 2026
Don’t Double-Dip With This Golden ChipAvocados From Mexico is celebrating those who love to double-dip in game day guacamole with a 14-karat yellow gold tortilla chip necklace.
SourcingJan 15, 2026
Nearly 42-Carat Blue Diamond Discovered in South AfricaPetra Diamonds unearthed the 41.82-carat, Type IIb blue diamond at the Cullinan Mine.
CollectionsJan 14, 2026
Marie Lichtenberg Lassos Leather for New BraceletsThe brand is trading its colorful fabric cords for Italian leather in its “Lasso” baby locket bracelets.
TechnologyJan 14, 2026
“My Next Question” Enters Its Podcast Era National Jeweler and Jewelers of America’s popular webinar series is evolving in 2026.
MajorsJan 14, 2026
Saks Files for Bankruptcy, Names New CEOThe department store chain owes millions to creditors like David Yurman, Roberto Coin, Kering, and LVMH.
CollectionsJan 14, 2026
Boucheron Names Colman Domingo as Brand AmbassadorThe award-winning actor’s visionary approach and creativity echo the spirit of Boucheron, the brand said.
IndependentsJan 14, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Wins 2025 ‘Wag’ AwardEdge Retail Academy honored Burnell’s Fine Jewelry in Wichita, Kansas, with its annual award for business excellence.
ColumnistsJan 13, 2026
2025 Was a ‘Price Up, Units Down’ Year, Here’s What That Signals for 2026 In a market defined by more selective consumers, Sherry Smith shares why execution will be independent jewelers’ key to growth this year.
IndependentsJan 13, 2026
Orr’s Jewelers Opens New Location in Pittsburgh’s Strip DistrictThe family-owned jeweler’s new space is in a former wholesale produce market.
CrimeJan 13, 2026
Alleged Getaway Driver Charged in Florida Jewelry Store RobberyIvel Sanchez Rivera, 52, has been arrested and charged in connection with the armed robbery of Tio Jewelers in Cape Coral, Florida.
SourcingJan 13, 2026
Rio Grande To Offer Calibrated Diamond MeleeThe supplier’s online program allows customers to search and buy calibrated natural and lab-grown diamond melee, including in fancy shapes.
