SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
Events & AwardsApr 26, 2017
Rio Grande Announces Saul Bell Awards Finalists
The winners of the jewelry design and hollowware competition will be announced in May at a dinner in Albuquerque.
Jason Baide of Bozeman, Montana, is a finalist in the 2017 Saul Bell Awards competition for his ring, “Flexibility.” Baide competed in the Emerging Jewelry Artist category, which was split into two age groups this year: 18 and younger, and 22 and younger.
Albuquerque, N.M.--Rio Grande has released the names of the artists who are finalists in the 2017 Saul Bell Design Awards.
In its 17th year, the competition, which is named in honor of lifelong jewelry designer Saul Bell, who lived from 1900 to 1996, honors excellence in jewelry-making and hollowware. Entries are accepted from all over the world.
There were five individuals who served as judges for the first round of this year’s competition: Joseph DeBella, Phillip Scott, Royce Kohlmeyer, Maria Samora and Emily Benoist Ruffin.
And five judges for the final round: Debbie Sheezel, Kaminer Haislip, Mark Mann, Michael Good and Kent Riable.
A full list of the finalists is below, including the finalists in the Emerging Jewelry Artists category, which was divided into two age groups this year--18 and under, and 22 and under.
In addition, all the pieces can be seen on the website created specifically for the Saul Bell Awards. Judges’ biographies are available on the website as well.
Winners will be announced at a dinner scheduled for May 21 in Albuquerque.
Gold/Platinum
“Angel’s Teardrops” by Garen Garibian, Los Angeles
“Sinuous Line” by Henry Spencer, Effingham, New Hampshire
“Ruby Flora Cuff” by Ricardo Basta, Century City, California
“Aqua Morgana” by Adam Neeley, Laguna Beach, California
“Unfurl Rebel Jewel” by Sarah Williamson, Nevada City, California
Silver/Argentium Silver
“Origami Butterfly” by Sophia Hu, Las Vegas
“Aspen” by Wolfgang Vaatz, Rio Rico, Arizona
“Stampclastic” by Matthieu Cheminee, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
“Flipping Wedges Bangle” by Dana Fear, Cedar, Michigan
“Passarola” by Arturo Sanfelix Garcia, Valencia, Spain
Metal Clay
“Cultivated Woodland” by Cindy Miller, Athens, Alabama
“Triptych” by Iwona Tamborska, Kraków, Poland
“Fairy Flower Wreath” by Helen Sang, Pärnu, Estonia
“Thorn Bird” by Wendy Wallin Malinow, Portland, Oregon
“Cheshire Cat” by Liz Sabol, Pittsburgh
Enamel
“Dried Flower Series: Chrysanthemum” by Nicolette Absil, Philadelphia
“Fool’s Errand” by Sandra McEwen, Raleigh, North Carolina
“Evolutionary Ring” by Palash Banerjee, (Dubai, United Arab Emirates
“Warm Embrace” by Marcus Synnot, Mt. Claremont, Western Australia
“La Luna” by Karen Olsen Ramsey, Grass Valley, California
Hollowware/Art Objects
“Discovery of Eggcellance” by Aleksandr Maryaskin, Yorktown, Virginia
“Royal Coach” by Leonardo Maldonado, Delray Beach, Florida
“The Crane and Plum” by Haiyin Liang, Richmond, Virginia
“Nuthatch Box” by Henry Spencer, Effingham, New Hampshire
“Golden Botrus Teapot” by Genevieve Flynn, Kansas City, Missouri
Alternative Metals/Materials
“Turning Necklace” by Sophia Hu, Las Vegas
“Old World Vines” by Valerie Ostenak, Phoenix
“Poison Ring No. 2” by Andy Cooperman, Seattle
“Firenze” by Valerie Jo Coulson, Pequea, Pennsylvania
“3 Lines and 9 Dots” by E. Douglas Wunder, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Emerging Jewelry Artist 18 Years of Age or Younger
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
“Sovereign Ring” by Matthew Tom, Wellesley, Massachusetts
“Aspirations” by Sinclaire Vandervoort, Wellesley
“Rocket Askew” by Autumn Lee, Auburn, Washington
“The Reign Never Ceases” by Jhordin Prescott, Auburn
“Locked In” by Jordan Harrison, Auburn
Emerging Jewelry Artist 22 Years of Age or Younger
“Tomato Flower” by Valerie James, Lansdale, Pennsylvania
“Embrace” by Yeonjung Hong, Providence, Rhode Island
“Treasure Box” by Steven Voorheis, Cannon Beach, Oregon
“Flexibility” by Jason Baide, Bozeman, Montana
“Mismatched” by Ryan Bodley, Westerville, Ohio
“Aspirations” by Sinclaire Vandervoort, Wellesley
“Rocket Askew” by Autumn Lee, Auburn, Washington
“The Reign Never Ceases” by Jhordin Prescott, Auburn
“Locked In” by Jordan Harrison, Auburn
Emerging Jewelry Artist 22 Years of Age or Younger
“Tomato Flower” by Valerie James, Lansdale, Pennsylvania
“Embrace” by Yeonjung Hong, Providence, Rhode Island
“Treasure Box” by Steven Voorheis, Cannon Beach, Oregon
“Flexibility” by Jason Baide, Bozeman, Montana
“Mismatched” by Ryan Bodley, Westerville, Ohio
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
