2012 Professional Design Excellence Winners
Open to all independent or company-employed designers, the Professional Design Excellence Category celebrates work that exemplifies the best of contemporary jewelry design. The winners show a thorough grounding in the tradition of fine design, along with an eagerness for experimentation and innovation. By meeting the highest standards of craftsmanship and creativity, these designs truly deserve their award-winning status.
1st Place Winner
Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry Inc., Laguna Beach, California
"Moonlight and Caviar." This ring’s elegant presentation of a 12 mm South Sea pearl captured the fancy of the 2012 MJSA Vision Award judges. It cradles the pearl in a bed of pavé-set black diamonds (2.52 tcw), then surrounds the entire piece with a trim of 1.2 tcw white diamonds. To achieve the geometric precision needed, Neeley designed the ring using CAD.
2nd Place Winner
Gregoré Morin, Gregoré Joailliers, Santa Barbara, California
"Bamboo Earrings." These fanciful .950 platinum earrings feature chrysophrase, Mexican fire opal, and white and black diamonds. Each measures 65 mm x 25 mm.