JA Reveals CASE Award Winners

RAPAPORT... Jewelers of America (JA) has announced the winners of its 28thannual CASE Awards for jewelry design, recognizing retail members whose piecesfeature creativity, artistry, style and excellence.This year, the jewelry group debuted a special People'sChoice category, which was determined by the public voting for its favoritejewelry piece of those pictured on the JA's website. The winner was MasterJewelers of Rochester, Minnesota, for a 14-karat white-gold Madeira citrinependant designed by Bernie Benavidez.A panel of judges chose the other winners from a group of 57applicants, evaluating entries on overall design, marketability, practicalityand wearability of the design, and its manufacturing quality.Winners receive a $500 cash prize or Facebook ad campaign,as well as a feature in National Jeweler. The organization displayed thewinning pieces at its New York Winter Show from March 11 to 13.The winners were as follows:Jewelry up to $2,000C3DesignsSouthMilwaukee, WIDesigned byChris JensenA sterling-silverand 14-karat yellow-gold pendant with a hand-carved raw Selenite crystalaccented by grossular garnet, green tourmalines and andalusite.Jewelry$2,001 to $5,000RicardoBasta Fine JewelryLos Angeles,CADesigned by Ricardo BastaA natural golden rutilated-quartz and 18-karat yellow-gold ring.Jewelry $5,001 to $10,000 and Jewelry $10,001 to $50,000Faye Kim DesignsWestport, CTDesigned by Faye KimA coral and diamond pendant as well as an 18-karat green-goldalloy bracelet.