President’s Trophy. This top prize is given to the piece deemed the most beautiful and original design concept that is well made, celebrates pearls, and leaves a lasting impression of pearls as must-have gems.
Winner: Polka Dots cuff in water buffalo horn with 18k gold, bezel-set rubies in pink freshwater pearls, and diamonds by Alishan Halebian of Alishan.
Polka Dots cuff by Alishan Halebian of Alishan
Luster Award. This winning piece represents the evolution of a best-selling pearl jewelry design and bears a covetable and marketable concept with wide appeal for the marketplace.
Winner: Diana’s Love earrings in 14k gold and freshwater pearls by Alexis Mazza of LexiMazz Designs.
Diana's Love earrings by LexiMazz Designs
Orient Award. This winning piece appeals to an emerging pearl jewelry collector—someone who has never before thought of wearing pearls—through attractive design, innovative use of pearls, and an accessible price.
Winners: Tie! Black diamond and pearl earrings in 18k gold with cultured white South Sea pearls and black diamonds by Timo Krapf of TBK Jewelry and the Esther ring in sterling silver with a Biwa pearl by Polly Baumgartner of Modhemia.
Black diamond and pearl earrings in 18k gold with cultured white South Sea pearls and black diamonds by Timo Krapf of TBK Jewelry
Esther ring by Polly Baumgartner of Modhemia
Visionary Award for Classic Styles. This winning piece is attractive, creative, and salable, championing a fresh look for an iconic pearl style—strands, studs, bracelets, or a ring—to help change the dated perception of pearls in the market.
Winner: Chimera pendant necklace in 18k gold with freshwater pearls and diamonds by Brenda Smith of Brenda Smith Jewelry.
Chimera pendant necklace by Brenda Smith of Brenda Smith Jewelry
Wedding Day Pearls. This winning piece best captures what a contemporary bride might wear on her wedding day.
Winner: Convertible Glamorous Keshi Swing earrings in 18k gold with cultured white South Sea keshi pearls by Dilly Kirby of Elizabeth Blair Fine Pearls.
Convertible Glamorous Keshi Swing earrings by Dilly Kirby of
Elizabeth Blair Fine Pearls
Fashion Award. This winning piece features a creative compilation of materials fashioned into a youthful, high-fashion, and original pearl jewelry design that looks as if it came straight from a Paris runway.
Winner: Mandala ring in 18k gold with a cultured Tahitian pearl by Paul Klecka of Paul Klecka Inspired Design.
Mandala ring by Paul Klecka of Paul Klecka Inspired Design
Spotlight Award—Tahitian Pearls. This category focuses on designs where 75 percent of the piece features one type of pearl—the Tahitian pearl for this year. This winning piece should make viewers think about Tahitian pearls and all their colors, including natural-color baby gray, blue, green, pistachio, peacock, and silver, in a way that is fresh and modern, challenges the standard of designs that feature it, and entices a non-pearl-lover to start collecting.
Winner: Convertible Ocean Diva necklace in 18k gold with cultured Tahitian pearls, blue zircon, and labradorite by Jennifer Pusenkoff of Jen International.
Convertible Ocean Diva necklace by Jennifer Pusenkoff of Jen International
Additionally, a Popularity Award for U.S. participants was also given to Jennifer Pusenkoff of Jen International for her Convertible Ocean Diva necklace. This award choice was based on the number of image likes received on the @PearlsCPAA Instagram account. Pusenkoff’s piece received 763 likes during the voting, more than any of the other finalists.
Convertible Ocean Diva necklace by Jennifer Pusenkoff of Jen International also took the Popularity Award on Instagram
Honorable mentions for the U.S. Division include the other finalists:
Chrysanthemum Fold Black Pearl earrings by Karin Jacobson
Pearl Empress earrings by Deborah Meyers of Deborah Meyers Experience
Lydia Lighthouse Beacon ring by Lika Behar of Lika Behar Jewelry
Golden pearl strand with Wavy O interchangeable clasp by
Llyn Strong of Llyn Strong Jewelry
The Kiss of the Spider Woman necklace by Martina Buck of Haute Metal
Power of Pearl pendant by Kelly Charveaux of Scottsdale Bead Supply & Charveaux
South Sea Pearl Paisley ring by Assael
South Sea Pearl Fan earrings by Assael
Rockin' Love ring by Jennifer Pusenkoff of Jen International
Rockin' Dandy lapel pin by Jennifer Pusenkoff of Jen International
International Division (judged through images only)
President’s Trophy. Fern After Rain earrings with golden cultured South Sea and cultured akoya pearls by Liao Shu-Fen and Wang Hao-Chen.
Luster Award. Sun, Earth, Moon pendant in 18k gold with cultured white and Tahitian South Sea pearls and diamonds by Teong Yan Ni of Juwelen Design.
Orient Award. Radiant earrings in 10k gold with faceted pearls by Mika Murai of Mika Jewellery.
Visionary Award for Classic Styles. Camellia Yin Yang earrings in sterling silver or anodized aluminum with cultured white and Tahitian South Sea pearls by Wei Li of Wei Li Jewelry.
Wedding Day Pearls. Flirt necklace in 18k gold with cultured white akoya pearls and diamonds by Orsolya Nagyne Raski and Daniel M. Nagy of Brilldor Jewellery.
Fashion Award. Tie! Roman Gladiatrix ear cuffs in 18k gold with cultured white freshwater pearls by Tanya Meher of C. Krishniah Chetty & Sons Pvt. Ltd.
Fashion Award. Tie! The Galaxy Choker in 14k gold with rhodium plating and cultured freshwater pearls by Wonhee Kim
Spotlight Award—Tahitian Pearls. Gaugin’s Memories cuff in white gold with palladium, diamonds, and rotating cultured Tahitian pearls by Orsolya Nagyne Raski and Daniel M. Nagy of Brilldor Jewellery.
Honorable mentions for the International Division include the other finalists:
Cascading Allure lariat necklace in 18k gold with cultured white freshwater pearls by Tanya Meher of C. Krishniah Chetty & Sons Pvt. Ltd.
Drama de Sunflower earrings in 18k gold with pink cultured freshwater pearls and diamonds by Sharanappa Kinnal of C. Krishniah Chetty & Sons Pvt. Ltd.
Flood Dragon brooch in 18k gold with cultured baroque golden South Sea and white akoya pearls, coral, and diamonds by Yen-Yu Lee of Liang You Coral Design Corporation (Taiwan).