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MULTIPLE CENTURION NAMES AMONG PLATINUM INNOVATION AND COUTURE DESIGN WINNERS June 06, 2012 (0 comments)

Las Vegas, NV—There were many familiar names among the winners of the annual Couture Design Competition and the 2012 Platinum Innovation Awards, both of which were announced during the Las Vegas jewelry shows.

PGI-USA announced the winners of the third annual JCK 2012 Platinum Innovation Awards at a press conference June 3. Watch an exclusive video interview with PGI-USA president Huw Daniel here.

Winners were chosen in seven different design categories.  An “Editors’ Choice” and “Buyers’ Choice” were chosen in each design category, as well as a “Best in Show” Award, which was chosen as a culmination of all votes. The winners were:

Platinum Engagement Ring:

• Editors’ Choice: Uneek Fine Jewelry
• Buyers’ Choice: Lieberfarb

Both rings were comprised of platinum and diamond.

Entry Platinum Engagement Ring (semi-mounts under $2500 retail):

• Editors’ Choice: Alishan
• Buyers’ Choice: Designs by Vatche

Both were comprised of platinum and diamond; the Designs by Vatche Signature Engagement Ring ring also won Best in Show.

Platinum Wedding Band:

• Editors’ Choice: A. Jaffe Platinum Twisted Eternity Band
• Buyers’ Choice: Omi Prive Platinum Diamond and Sapphire Eternity Band

Platinum Men’s Jewelry:

• Editors’ Choice: Pioneer Gems platinum, moonstone, sapphire and diamond cufflinks
• Buyers’ Choice: Novell platinum and black diamond ring

Entry Platinum Fashion Jewelry (under $3500 retail):

• Editors’ Choice: Simon G platinum and diamond pendant
• Buyers’ Choice: Mercury Ring platinum and diamond earrings

Platinum Red Carpet Jewelry:

• Editors’ Choice: Oscar Heyman platinum, opal, and emerald bead and diamond necklace
• Buyers’ Choice: Erik Stewart platinum, diamond and sapphire ring

Platinum and Colored Gemstone Jewelry:

• Editors’ Choice: Goshwara platinum and emerald bead flower earrings
• Buyers’ Choice: Stuller platinum, sapphire and diamond ring

PGI-USA awarded each winner with a prize package valued at approximately $50,000.

Top of page: Simon G. platinum and diamond pendant won Editors’ Choice in the Entry Platinum category of the 2012 Platinum Innovation Awards. Below, Oscar Heyman’s platinum, opal, emerald bead, and diamond necklace won the Editors’ Choice award for Red Carpet Jewelry.

Separately, the winners of the Couture Design Competition were announced on Saturday, June 2. There were 162 entries in ten categories, plus the Couture Time Awards and the People’s Choice Awards.

Three finalists were selected in each category. Judges were Susan Abeles, director of jewelry for Bonhams; Eric Ford, precious jewelry buyer at Neiman Marcus; Janice Blumberg, owner of Be on Park; Alison Rowe, fashion and accessories Editor for Niche Media; Claudia Mata, jewelry and accessories director for W magazine; and designer Stephen Webster.

Tough decisions: The Couture Design judges hard at work.

Jim DeMattei of Viewpoint received the Human Spirit Award, which is given to a special member of the Couture community who stands out for exceptional generosity. David Rocha, executive director of Jewelers for Children, presented the award.

DeMattei said, “Thank you all for allowing me to do what I’ve been doing for 37 years, which is have fun. Fun with my design partners, my retail partners, and my show partners.” 

In the Couture Time competition, Romain Jerome won in the Architecture category, HD3 Slyde won for Innovation, and Bremont won the People’s Choice Award for their Alt1-WT. Here are the winners and runners up in each of the other categories:

Bridal

1. John Apel
2. Jessica Fields
3. Gintare

Silver

1. Lauren Harper Collection
2. Annie Fensterstock
3. Katie Decker

Platinum

1. Heinrich & Denzel
2. Isabelle Fa Jewelry
3. Erica Courtney

Diamonds Above $20,000

1. Stephen Webster
2. Stefan Hafner
3. Michael John Image

Stephen Webster's "Temptation of Eve" two-finger ring won first place in the Diamonds Above $20,000 category.

Diamonds Below $20,000

1. Moritz Glik
2. Elena Votsi
3. Hearts on Fire

Gold

1. Majoral
2. Carolina Bucci
3. Todd Reed (gold cuff shown below)

Pearls

1. Mikimoto
2. Utopia
3. Autore

Colored Gemstone Below $20,000

1. Rodney Rayner
2. Cleison Roche
3. Colette Design

   

Rodney Rayner's ring won first place in the Colored Gemstone Below $20,000 category.

Colored Gemstone Above $20,000

1. Lydia Corteille
2. Wendy Yue
3. Chantecler

Debuting at Couture

1. Sevan Bicakci
2. Lucifer vir Honestus
3. Arunashi

People’s Choice

1. Kwiat
2. Utopia
3. Stefan Hafner

Kwiat's diamond drop earrings won the People's Choice award.