2016-2017 International Pearl Design Competition Winners

President’s Trophy – “Murmuring Stream” Yi-Shiun Tsai of Taipei City, Taiwan .The highest honor awarded to a design that unanimously captivated judges as the best of the best.

Luster Award – “Dentelle” The Pearl Exporting Company of Portland, ME. Most marketable design for retail.

Designer’s Award –“Pearl Blossom” Wan-Fang Ting of Taipei City, Taiwan. Given to the entry that takes pearls to the far corners of the imagination.

Brilliance Award – “Impact” Ching-Ting Han of Taipei City, Taiwan. Best illustration for spectrum of pearl colors.

Orient Award –“Orbital” Brenda Smith of Woodstock, GA and “Wrapped” Susan Hogue, Campanelli & Pear of Troy, MI. Compelling design esthetic; inspiring a new affinity for pearls.

The Visionary Award – “Safe and Sound” Yi-Hsien Lu of Taipei City Taiwan. Redefining the iconic pearl strand; shifting perception of cultured pearls for today’s buyer.

The Fashion Award –“Skeletal Pearl Collar” Chelsea Knights of Long Beach, California.  Modern, fresh design could be seen on a Paris runway.

Wedding Day Pearls – “IVY” Sameena Anjum. T. Of Bangalore, India.  Brides and pearls are synonymous; create a fantasy wedding with pearls.

Fantasy Award – “Path-Braker” Murugesh Manickam of Bangalore, India. Conceptual, aspirational design prohibitive to fabricate.

Commendations were also given to entries which demonstrated high standards of achievement  in accordance with the judging criteria.

Commendation Winners

Hisano Shepherd, Little h Jewelry, Los Angeles, California

Adam Neeley, Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry, Laguna Beach, California

Michael Jensen, Michael Jensen Designs, Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Lynn Gambino, Old Brookville, New York

Paula Crevoshay, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Elizabeth B. Kirby, Elizabeth Blair Fine Pearls, Harbor Springs, Michigan

Randy Coffin, Coffin & Trout Jewelers, Chandler, Arizona

J. Hunter Pearls Fiji, Savusavu Town, Fiji

Barbara Heinrich, Pittsford, New York

Link Wachler, Link Wachler Designs, Troy, Michigan

As the Award and Commendation winners complete their piece, they will be available for viewing on their website www.cpaa.org. 

They are also proud to announce their judging panel, each representing a varied viewpoint, insight and expertise. 

Jean Francois Bibet, Cartier, Workshop Director Production

A native of France and a graduate from the France Jewelry School of Lyon.  Jean worked In French Polynesia for 5 years, creating and modeling Tahitian Black Pearl Jewelry. Moving to the U.S. 15 years ago and began working in high platinum jewelry for Van Cleef and Arpels.  He is currently with Cartier, N.Y., managing their high jewelry workshop in North America.

Shane Clark, Brides, Senior Fashion & Accessories Editor

Most recently, Shane Clark was a freelance market editor at InStyle, Glamour, Lucky and Shape. Prior to her stint in freelance she held the Associate Market Editor title at both Harper’s Bazaar and Self. 

Beth Berstein, Author, Jewelry Journalist and Jewelry Consultant

For the past twenty years, Beth has been fortunate enough to be engaged in two of her passions which have become careers: writing about and designing fine jewelry. Since 2012, she has authored three books on jewelry including “Jewelry’s Shining Stars: Shaping Today’s Collectibles and Tomorrow’s Heirlooms.”
Beth launched Bejeweledmag.com this July – an online consumer jewelry publication.  In addition she is a contributing writer, with a weekly column for the online publication The Jewellery Editor.

Michelle Graff, Editor-In-Chief, National Jeweler

Michelle is the editor-in-chief of National Jeweler and is responsible for the daily content posted to NationalJeweler.com as well as the publication’s digital magazine and State of the Majors report, due out this fall.

Cheryl Kremkow, Director, Citrine Media

Cheryl Kremkow has more than 25 years experience telling compelling jewelry stories to consumers, retailers and manufacturers. The former editor-in-chief of Modern Jeweler, Lustre, and Jewellery News Asia magazines, she has also been the vice-president of content for three jewelry e-commerce start-ups. Her popular jewelry blog GemObsessed.com attracts an international audience of jewelry collectors and designers.

Jennifer Pearson, VP Marketing, Assael

Jennifer Pearson is currently the VP of Marketing for Assael Inc., the purveyor of the worlds finest saltwater pearls.   For the past 17 years, Jennifer has worked within the jewelry industry, dedicated to helping brands reach their full potential through strategic brand management and increased exposure.