Events & Awards

WJA Announces Diva Design Winners

Events & AwardsFeb 07, 2016

WJA Announces Diva Design Winners

See the seven pieces of jewelry that were chosen as the first-place designs in the 2016 Diva Design competition.

New York--Erica Courtney, Malak Atut and Laurence Bruyninckx are among the winners of the Women’s Jewelry Association’s 2016 Diva Design competition.


Designer Laurence Bruyninckx is a two-time winner in this year’s Diva Design contestDiva Design is an annual contest split into two categories. The first is the Dazzle Diva, which recognizes jewelry design via drawing, rendering or photography but does not require the entrant to manufacture the piece, though they are welcome to do so.

Gem Diva is the other category, which also is a division of the American Gem Trade Association’s Annual Spectrum Awards, and honors female designers and their accomplishments with finished jewelry that showcases the best in colored gemstones.

The winners and honorable mentions in each category are as follows.

Gem Diva Awards
Bridal Wear category
Erica Courtney of Erica Courtney (winner)
Hisano Shepherd of Little H
Caroline Chartouni of Caroline C

Classic Wear category
Naomi Sarna of Naomi Sarna Designs (winner)
Heena Chheda-Shah of Valani
Pamela Huizenga of Pamela Huizenga Jewelry

Evening Wear category
Lisa Linhardt of Linhardt Design (winner)
Erica Courtney of Erica Courtney
Claudia Kretchmer of Steven Kretchmer Design Inc.

Business/Day Wear category
Gurmit Kaur Campbell of SRW (winner)
Elizabeth Garvin of Elizabeth Garvin Fine
Jennifer Morin of Gregore Joailliers

Dazzle Diva Awards
Bridal Wear category
Laurence Bruyninckx of LX Collection (winner)
Lisa Linhardt of Linhardt Design
Halle (Richardson) Millien of Halle Richardson

Evening Wear category
Laurence Bruyninckx of LX Collection (winner)
Alison Nagasue of AKN Designs Ltd.
Jessica Neiwert of Jessica Nei

Business/Day Wear category
Malak Atut of Zaiken Jewelry (winner)
Jocelyn Prestia of Unhada
Halle (Richardson) Millien of Halle Richardson

The above winners will be honored at WJA’s In the Spotlight event on Thurs., March 10.

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