TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White MetalsGomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.
Events & AwardsApr 06, 2016
Fla. Jeweler Takes Top Prize in Stuller’s Bench Battle
David Adamson of Lynn Haven, Fla. was selected as the overall winner at the Battle of the Benches held over the weekend at Stuller’s headquarters.
The four bench jewelers competed out in the open on Stuller’s demo floor, where other jewelers attending the Bench Jeweler Workshop could watch. Their work was projected on large flat-screen monitors mounted above their stations.
Lafayette, La.--Four jewelers spent hours hunched over their benches in Lafayette, La. this past weekend, as Stuller held its first Battle of the Benches jewelry-making competition.
As the competition kicked off on Friday morning in Lafayette, Stuller Vice President of Merchandising Tammy Kidder noted that the company had more than 40 bench jewelers apply to compete in the Battle of the Benches, which took place during the company’s annual Bench Jeweler Workshop.
From the applicants, Stuller selected four competitors: David Adamson of David Adamson Designer Jewelry in Lynn Haven, Fla.; Patrick Dobbs of Dianna Rae Jewelry in Lafayette; Craig Farley of FCF Jewelry Design in Roanoke, Va.; and Jonathan Smiddy of Acori Diamonds & Design in Friendswood, Texas.
The first of three challenges the bench jewelers faced was the CAD and Render Challenge, taking their design cues from a hypothetical customer: a young woman in her mid-20s who needed a cocktail ring for an upcoming special event, and loves the beach and the color blue.
They had most of Friday to use CAD to create a design that Stuller then cast for them.
The first half of day two, Saturday, brought the Parts and Pieces Challenge, which was the jewelry-making equivalent of the Food Network’s Chopped. The bench jewelers were presented with a square piece of metal, some wire and gemstones, and had the morning to create a design from it.
The Polishing and Finishing Challenge took place Saturday afternoon, with the jewelers putting the finishing touches on the cocktail rings that they started Friday.
Adamson notched victories in both the CAD and Render and the Parts and Pieces challenges, and was named the event’s overall winner as well.
Smiddy took home top prize in Polishing and Finishing.
The Battle of the Benches took place during Stuller’s annual Bench Jeweler Workshop, held April 1 to 3 at the company’s headquarters in Lafayette.
Stuller said that more than 200 jewelers and 20 industry professionals attended this year’s workshop, which also included education sessions on topics such as diamond grading, improving profit margin with repairs and visual merchandising.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEODiamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire RingTaylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed SandIts “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.
Weekly QuizOct 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 02, 2025
$1M in Jewelry Stolen in Northern California Smash and Grab Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
TrendsOct 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Colorful ShowThe month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-ReflectionSmith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.
EditorsOct 01, 2025
Playing Favorites: The Best Jewelry From VicenzaoroAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco visited Italy to spot jewelry trends at the September Vicenzaoro show and share her top finds.
SurveysOct 01, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits 5-Month Low in September Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.
SourcingOct 01, 2025
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Falls 47%Its latest interim financials revealed a challenging first half due in part to production troubles at its mines.
MajorsSep 30, 2025
Pandora CEO to Retire in 2026, Hand Reins to CMO Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.
CrimeSep 30, 2025
2 Suspects Charged in $300K Sleight-of-Hand Jewelry Store ScamTwo men allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase luxury watches and jewelry from a North Carolina jeweler.
CollectionsSep 30, 2025
Billie Eilish, Finneas Partner with John HardyThe “Lovestruck” collection, designed with the Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings, is the brand’s first lab-grown diamond offering.
IndependentsSep 30, 2025
Spinelli Kilcollin Announces Residency in DallasThe brand, celebrating its 15th anniversary, has popped up at Market, a luxury fashion destination in Highland Park Village.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Nina Pugliese, Longtime Henne Jewelers Employee, Dies at 65She was remembered as a creative and generous woman of faith, who also had a sweet tooth.
TrendsSep 29, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Ear FocusMove over neck mess, the ear story is the way to make a layering statement today.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Mark Henry Jewelry to Debut in CanadaThe New York-based brand is set to launch a limited-time offering for the holiday season at Holt Renfrew in Toronto.
MajorsSep 29, 2025
Overnight Releases New Bridal CatalogThe “Volume 7” bridal catalog features best-selling engagement rings, trending styles, and a new section highlighting anniversary bands.
SurveysSep 26, 2025
Online Shopping, Influencers to Drive Holiday Spending, Mastercard SaysHoliday sales growth is expected to slow as consumers grapple with inflation and tariff-related uncertainty.
TrendsSep 26, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kwit Jewelry’s Square Signet Pinky RingThe red and azure colorway is one of many fun enamel pairings offered, bringing whimsy to the classic style of a monogramed signet ring.
Policies & IssuesSep 25, 2025
JA CEO Provides Tariff Update Following Annual Fly-InA trade deal with Switzerland seems probable, but reaching an agreement with India remains a challenge, David Bonaparte said.
SourcingSep 25, 2025
2 African Countries Aim to Take Stake in De Beers Botswana’s president said his country wants a controlling share, while Angola envisions multiple countries holding minority stakes.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2025
Kira Jewels Expands Lab-Grown Diamond ProductionThe manufacturer is adding 1,400 chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors to its growing facility in India.
IndependentsSep 25, 2025
Alex Moss’ New Flagship Brings Bold Jewels to SoHoThe jeweler to the stars has worked with Drake, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, and other celebrities.
