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DIVA Design Competition
The annual WJA DIVA Design Competition is a competition created to promote and encourage jewelry design by women. Open to all women, regardless of experience, formal training or background in jewelry or jewelry design, the competition is judged by a panel of industry experts who evaluate designs based on their originality, creativity, wearability, and interpretation of an annual theme.
The 2008 Diva Design Competition Winners
The Platinum Wedding
For the second year in a row, the Platinum Guild International (PGI) has sponsored the competition. This year’s theme, “The Platinum Wedding,” featured five categories, including one for natural colored diamonds set in platinum, sponsored by the Natural Color Diamond Association (NCDIA).
PGI is a WJA “Pillar of Distinction” sponsor, along with Jewelers Mutual Insurance, and David Yurman.
WJA’s DIVA Award winners with sponsors (at press event in Platinum Pavilion at JCK Show):
From left, Rob May of NCDIA, Phyllis Bergman, Mercury Ring, Ann Arnold, Lieberfarb, DIVA Award recipients Lisa Krikawa and Erica Courtney, PGI’s Huw Daniel, WJA President Yancy Weinrich, Mark Schonwetter and Isabella Fiske of Lieberfarb.
Four DIVA winners with WJA President Yancy Weinrich at DIVA party at TAO in Las Vegas: From left, Jill MacKay, Yancy Weinrich, Carley McGee-Boehm, Lisa Krikawa, Erica Courtney.
The winners and Honorable Mention in the five featured five categories are:
1) Lisa Krikawa, of Tucson, AZ, in the Everyday Bridal Ring Trio Suite category (under $5,000 retail). The winner’s “Delicate Leaf Wedding Set,” in Platinum and diamonds, was inspired by ancient rites, futuristic forms, machines, and tools. “The look is enhanced by secret compartments, windows and doors,” said Krikawa. “I aim for each piece to be interesting from the front, back, or inside, and with these details I lure the viewer or wearer in. I like to enhance the work with machine-like qualities, which are reminiscent of bio-mechanical engineering.”
Lisa Krikawa's “Delicate Leaf” Bridal Ring Trio Suite in platinum and diamonds (above)
Honorable Mention in category 1: Evelyn Huang, of evelynH. Jewelry Inc. in Los Angeles (who placed 3rd in the 2007 DIVA Awards), and Patricia Pepe Clark, Design Decision, Bellmore, NY.
2) Jill MacKay, of Jill MacKay, in Pittsburgh, PA (DIVA Bridal Suite--over $5,000 retail). Her “Platinum Roses Wedding Trio,” with diamond center stone and accents, is romantic and bold at the same time. It’s fit for a DIVA and her intended, said MacKay. “Jewelry design and creativity aren’t just the way I make a living; for me it is a wonderful way of life and of being in the world.” MacKay, who is self-taught, was once known as the jewelry designer for the daytime drama “The Guiding Light” and produced work for TV’s “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” “This opened many doors for me,” she said. “Currently I design and manufacture my own line of sterling jewelry, findings and components.”
Honorary Mention: Jill Zvaigzne, Newport, KY (a designer for I.B. Goodman Co. and her own line of fashion jewelry, “Ze.”) and Evelyn Huang of evelyn H. Jewelry Inc., Los Angeles.
3) Carley McGee-Boehm, of Fort Myers, FL, won the Platinum Jewels for the Bridal Party (under $5,000 retail) category with her “Helios Pendant” in Platinum, diamonds and rock crystal. “The traditional symbolism of the ring is expanded through this piece. Helios' translucency symbolizes openness, clarity and transparency--each of which, through placement near the heart, are enhanced in the wearer.” McGee, GG, AJA, has been designing custom jewels for nearly a decade. She has won two Spectrum awards, both of which displayed her appreciation of the decorative arts.
Honorable Mention: Judy Meli, of Judy Evans Designs, Scottsdale, AZ, and Sheryl Lai of Sheryl Lai Design, Inc., Los Angeles.
4) Erica Courtney, Erica Courtney, Los Angeles. (Platinum Jewels for the Bridal Party--over $5,000 retail). Her platinum and diamond “Tulip” necklace is a signature Erica Courtney piece. “This necklace brings out an elegant and glamorous look that can be worn by an array of brides,” said the award-winning designer, whose work is often seen on Hollywood glitterati. “The tulip necklace allows brides to feel ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’ on their big day without being over shadowed.”
Erica Courtney’s Tulip Necklace in platinum and diamonds (above)
Honorable Mention: Amy Liu, NYC; and Brooke Poller, NYC.
5) Joana Miranda of Joana Miranda Studio, Glendale, WI, won the Colorful Engagements and Weddings in Platinum category. The lace-quality of her “Pink Diamond Trellis” Platinum pendant is a perfect complement to today's ethereal wedding gowns, said the designer. “The pink diamonds are not only rare but incredibly feminine. The strength of the Platinum reflects the endurance of love.” Miranda, who holds the A.J.P. degree from GIA as well as a GIA Design Certificate, has her own jewelry business, where she sells handmade fine metal and gemstone jewelry. In addition, she is a full-time violist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
Honorable Mention: Yoko Ogawa, a freelance jewelry designer from Tokyo, Japan; and Isha Katoria, Titan Industries, Bangalore, India.
A number of suppliers generously sponsored two DIVA designs: Lieberfarb Inc. created Jill MacKay's Platinum Roses Wedding ring suite. Joana Miranda’s natural colored diamond and Platinum pendant was helped into creation by Paul Klecka with his CAD CAM modeling; Mann Design for the milling; Techform Advanced Casting Technology for the casting; and Mercury Ring Corp. for the finishing. The beautiful pink diamonds were supplied by Pink Luxury, a division of Rare and Precious of Vancouver.
A celebratory cocktail party for WJA members, non-members and the winners took place at the famed TAO restaurant in the Venetian Hotel, attended by 237 members and industry tastemakers.
For information please contact DIVA Competition Chair, Cindy Edelstein at 914-738-8485 or cindyedelstein@aol.com.
2007 DIVA Design Competition
Two People, Three Platinum Rings
The engagement ring symbolizes the promise, while the wedding bands represent the commitment a couple makes to one another. Your challenge as a jewelry designer is to depict these three rings using platinum - for the very best relationship is deserving of the world's most precious metal.
WJA is pleased to announce the top three winners of its 11th annual DIVA design competition.
First prize was awarded to Mary Tanana, of MJT Designs in St. Petersburg, FL, for her platinum vintage-style eternity wedding set with mill-grain details. A Reggae music fan, she was inspired by a Jamaican word, “irie,” that means to be in a state of peacefulness or harmony. “The word captures the feeling when a couple gets engaged,” said Tanana, who will receive a cash prize of $2,000 from WJA and a packet of Platinum benefits, valued at $15,000, from Platinum Guild International (PGI), including a private consultation with PGI’s Director of Technical Education, Jurgen Maerz.
PGI, along with Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL) and American Gemological Laboratories (AGL), are top DIVA Awards sponsors.
Tanana, who studied fashion illustration and textile design at Syracuse University, says she is enamored by textures and contrasting patterns. She was trained on the job in a variety of jewelry-making techniques. Her career was shaped observing the factory floor and studying with some accomplished model makers in the U.S. and internationally, said Tanana, whose work has involved Platinum. “I love the density and the feel of Platinum. Recently I have worked on many vintage-style designs, and I find this the metal of choice.”
Second prize went to Younhee Shin, director of product development, at A. Jaffe, in New York City. Her boss, Sam Sandberg, a WJA member, encouraged her to enter the competition.
Born in Korea, Shin received a degree in biology from the University of Kyung Pook. She realized her passion for the design of structural elements and enrolled in the prestigious Academia di Moda Costume in Rome to study jewelry design. After graduating, Shin moved to New York City in 1993, where she worked for several renowned jewelry companies before joining A. Jaffe as an exclusive designer for the A. Jaffe collection. In 1997 De Beers selected her engagement ring design to be part of a three-year national advertising campaign.
Shin’s winning three Platinum ring designs were inspired by traditional Korean wedding ceremonies, in which the bride and groom bow down to each other as a promise to live with respect for each other.
Evelyn K. Huang, of evelynH Jewelry Inc., Temple City, CA, received the third Platinum DIVA Award. A native of California, she was exposed to the world of gems and diamonds in her father’s fine jewelry business in L.A. After receiving a degree in economics from the University of California and working for a few years in Asia, she returned to her father’s business. She received her G.G. from GIA, and later worked for a high-profile jeweler on Rodeo Drive.
In 2006 she opened her own firm. “The inspiration for my jewelry flows from the many facets and experiences of life, from the past towards the future, a place where the East meets the West,” said Huang, who incorporated an infinity symbol at the base of her classic Platinum designs, representing love without end, said Huang.
The Platinum DIVA judges chose the winning designs based on their originality, creativity, wearability, and interpretation of the theme. “Mary Tanana’s had a traditional feel, but the pattern was more contemporary so the combination seemed ‘fresh,’” said Michael O’Connor of PGI, a member of the judging panel along with Mark Schonwetter of Lieberfarb; Frank Stankus, Jeweler's Resource; designer Amy Levine; FIT Jewelry Department Chair Michael Coan; and designer Jessica Cohen.
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