The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
These 8 Pieces Took Top Honors in the CPAA’s Design Contest
They range from a statement cuff crafted of horn to on-trend pieces that give the pearl a modern makeover.

New York—The Cultured Pearl Association of America has announced the winners of the 2019 edition of its design contest, crowning eight pieces of pearl jewelry across seven categories.
CPAA received 38 U.S. entries for its 10th annual International Pearl Design Competition, with the judges and the association narrowing the field to 18 finalists before live judging took place in New York late last month.
The top honor, the President’s Award, went to Alishan Halebian of Alishan for his “Polka Dots” cuff.
An instant and unanimous choice among the four judges, the cuff is made of water buffalo horn that’s peppered with pink freshwater pearls set with bezel-set rubies and finished with 18-karat white gold and diamond accents.
Taking the Luster Award, which goes to a design that’s covetable, marketable and has wide appeal, were Alexis Mazza’s “Diana’s Love” earrings (pictured below).
A fresh take on the pearl earring, this piece is crafted in 14-karat yellow gold with freshwater pearls and hits on a trend that’s hot across all jewelry right now—hearts.
The Orient Award, given to a design that’s accessibly priced and would catch the eye of someone who’s not worn pearls before, went to two pieces this year.
The Visionary Award for Classic Styles went to the “Chimera” pendant in 18-karat white gold with freshwater pearls and diamonds by Brenda Smith of Brenda Smith Jewelry.

The Visionary Award is given to a piece that updates an iconic pearl style, like the strand or the stud, to help change the perception in the market that pearls are dated. It must be attractive and creative, as well as saleable.
Judges viewed Smith’s necklace as being all of the above, noting that it could easily be layered with longer necklaces, another trend that is hot in jewelry right now.

This year’s Fashion Award, reserved for a piece that’s original and more fashion-forward, went to Paul Klecka’s Mandala ring in 18-karat gold with a cultured Tahitian pearl (pictured below).

It won the Spotlight Award, which focuses on designs where 75 percent of the piece features one type of pearl. The type of pearl considered for the award changes each year; in 2019, it was Tahitian.

To see photos and descriptions of the 10 remaining finalists that received honorable mentions in the contest, visit the CPAA’s website.
Jean Francois Bibet, workshop and production director at Cartier; Nancy Schuring, owner of Devon Fine Jewelry in Wyckoff, New Jersey; National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff; and jewelry designer Hector Hassey were this year’s judges.
In addition to the pieces they examined in person, the group of four also looked at images (photos of already made pieces or renderings) submitted from around the world for the contest’s international component.
This year’s winner of the President’s Trophy in the international division were the “Fern After Rain” earrings by Liao Shu-Fen and Wang Hao-Chen.

The other international winners were as follows:
-- “Sun, Earth, Moon” pendant by Teong Yan Ni, Luster Award;
-- “Radiant” earrings by Mika Murai, Orient Award;
-- “Camellia Yin Yang” earrings by Wei Li, Visionary Award;
-- “Flirt” necklace by Orsolya Nagyne Raski and Daniel M. Nagy, Wedding Day Pearls;
-- Roman Gladiatrix ear cuffs by Tanya Meher and the Galaxy Choker by Wonhee Kim, tie for Fashion Award; and
-- Gaugin’s Memories cuff by Raski and Nagy, Spotlight Award.
To see images and read descriptions of the winning international pieces, visit CPAA.org.
The Latest

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.


Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.

The time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.

The auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.

The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.