EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
Events & AwardsMay 24, 2016
Saul Bell Award Winners for 2016 Announced
Rio Grande revealed the winners of its annual jewelry design contest during a gala dinner at its recent Santa Fe Symposium.
This “Peacock Pin” by Samantha Freeman won second place in the Gold/Platinum Category in the 2016 Saul Bell Awards.
Albuquerque, N.M.--Jewelry supply company Rio Grande announced the winners of the annual Saul Bell Awards earlier this month during a gala dinner at its Santa Fe Symposium.
First and second places winners were celebrated in seven categories: Gold/Platinum, Silver/Argentium Silver, Metal Clay, Enamel, Hollowware/Art Objects, Alternative Metals/Materials and Emerging Jewelry Artists, which highlights designers ages 21 or younger.
Award applicants submit imagery of a design for their chosen category; finalists are required to submit a physical piece for judging. Winners receive Rio Grande gift certificates.
The design competition, created to commemorate the life of New Mexican jeweler Saul Bell, is in its 16th year.
See below for a full list of winners.
2016 Gold/Platinum Category
First Place
“The Queen”
Garen Garibian
Los Angeles
Second Place
“Peacock Pin”
Samantha Freeman
Philadelphia
2016 Silver/Argentium Silver Category
First Place
“Unity”
Seung Jeon Paik
Savannah, Ga.
Second Place
“Untitled”
Wolfgang Vaatz
Rio Rico, Ariz.
2016 Metal Clay Category
First Place
“Adore”
Rodica Frunze
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Second Place
“Memory Interrupted”
Patrik Kusek
Fairfield, Calif.
2016 Gold/Platinum Category First Place Winner: “The Queen” by Garen Garibian.
2016 Gold/Platinum Category Second Place Winner: “Peacock Pin” by Samantha Freeman.
2016 Silver/Argentium Silver Category First Place Winner: “Unity” by Seung Jeon Paik.
2016 Metal Clay Category First Place Winner: “Adore” by Rodica Frunze.
2016 Metal Clay Category Second Place Winner: “Memory Interrupted” by Patrik Kusek.
2016 Enamel Category First Place Winner: “On the Wing” by Debbie Sheezel.
2016 Enamel Category Second Place Winner: “Orbit #2 Pin/Pendant” by Amy Roper Lyons.
2016 Hollowware/Art Objects Category First Place Winner: “Mace” by Tom Ferrero.
2016 Hollowware/Art Objects Category Second Place Winner: “Symbiotic Relationship” by Sungyeoul Lee.
2016 Alternative Metals/Materials Category First Place Winner: “Moonshine” by Zoltan David.
2016 Alternative Metals/Materials Category Second Place Winner: “Secret Garden Necklace”by Kathleen Nowak Tucci.
2016 Emerging Jewelry Artist Category First Place Winner: “L
2016 Emerging Jewelry Artist Category Second Place Winner: “Monsieur” by Justine B. Gagnon.
2016 Emerging Jewelry Artist Category Third Place Winner: “A Gothic Melody” by Jason Baide.
2016 Silver/Argentium Silver Category Second Place Winner: “Untitled” by Wolfgang Vaatz.
2016 Enamel Category
First Place
“On the Wing”
Debbie Sheezel
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Second Place
“Orbit #2 Pin/Pendant”
Amy Roper Lyons
Summit, N.J.
2016 Hollowware/Art Objects Category
First Place
"Mace”
Tom FerreroWindsor, Conn.
Second Place
“Symbiotic Relationship”
Sungyeoul Lee
Seoul, Republic of Korea
2016 Alternative Metals/Materials Category
First Place
“Moonshine”
Zoltan David
Bee Cave, Texas
Second Place
“Secret Garden Necklace”
Kathleen Nowak Tucci
Atmore, Ala.
2016 Emerging Jewelry Artist Category
First Place
“L'Oiseau de la Nuit”
Justine Quintal
Carignan, Quebec, Canada
Second Place
“Monsieur”
Justine B. Gagnon
Repentigny, Quebec, Canada
Third Place
“A Gothic Melody”
Jason Baide
Bozeman, Mont.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
