Jewelers of America Announces CASE Award Winners
March 13, 17
(IDEX Online) – Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, has announced the winners of its 27th annual CASE Awards jewelry design competition.
The CASE Awards, JA’s national design competition for jewelry retailers, recognizes JA Retail Members who exhibit creativity, artistry, style and excellence in jewelry design. The winning entries are on display at Jewelers of America’s booth #1866 at the JA New York Show, March 12-14, at the Jacob Javits Center.
Winners were selected from 58 entries from JA Retail Members in five categories: Jewelry to $2,000, $2,001 to $5,000, $5,001 to $10,000, $10,001 to $50,000 (retail values) and, for the first time, a 'People’s Choice' award determined by the public’s votes. Voting for the 'People’s Choice' took place at JA’s website, www.jewelers.org, from March 6-10 and garnered over 4,500 votes.
“The CASE Awards exemplifies the talent and fine craftsmanship found in the stores of JA Member jewelers nationwide,” said JA President & CEO David J. Bonaparte. “We are excited that the new ‘People’s Choice’ CASE Award generated so much enthusiasm and gave even more exposure to the skill and creativity of Jewelers of America members.”
The winners in the four price categories were determined by a panel of design experts who evaluated the entries on the following criteria: overall design, marketability, practicality/wearability and quality of manufacture. Judges included Natalie Bos Betteridge, Jewels du Jour; Amy Elliott, JCK Contributing Writer and About.com Engagement RIngs Editor; Severine Ferrari, Engagement 101; Amanda Gizzi, Jewelers of America; Michelle Graff, National Jeweler; and Maria Tsangaropoulos, GIA Jewelry Manufacturing Arts instructor.
Jewelers of America awards $500 cash prizes for first-place winners of the four retail value categories and $500 worth of Facebook advertising for the winner of the 'People's Choice' CASE Award. All five winners will receive a customized CASE Award trophy, national and local media coverage, and a feature in National Jeweler magazine.