2017 Jewelers' Choice Awards Winner

I am truly honored to win as a finalist in the 2017 Jewelers' Choice Awards Best of the Best in Bridal Design over $10,000 category! Jewelers Circular Keystone is a trade magazine for the jewelry industry. JCK is the industry authority on reporting breaking news, commentary, and fashion for the jewelry world. Their website offers rich, in-depth, cutting edge content covering all aspects of the jewelry business. Jewelers Circular Keystone is a vital link that connects retailers, manufacturers, designers and industry influences together that are shaping and driving the industry. Here's the ring that I submitted. Platinum and 18k yellow gold with a center oval cut diamond flanked with green Tourmalines. I made this ring for Marie using her own oval cut diamond and princess cut diamonds that were set in two separate rings. Her request was to make a wide ring that has more of a band look to it and add green tourmaline as the side stones. I made this ring from five separate pieces. Even though the green Tourmalines are held with the yellow gold bezels, from the bottom, the entire center section of the ring is platinum. The final result is a stunning statement ring that is substantial yet in a very refined and regal way. I later on made her wedding band which is similar to one of the textured yellow gold outer bands. To enter the competition, I first submitted images of the ring that I made for Marie. I thought there would be judges and the ring would be considered based on originality and technical complexity. I received an email from JCK magazine that my ring as been accepted and the way to win is to ask retail jewelry stores to vote for you. This was during December when I'm working non-stop to finish every ring that on my schedule. Since I create custom unique pieces for my clientele only and I'm not carried in any retail store, I really didn't know what stores to solicit to win their vote. So I pretty much left it alone. I am truly thankful to everyone who voted for me as I didn't reach out to anyone in the industry and hoped my work would do its own MAGIC!!