Best of the Best 2023

BEST OF THE BEST

2023

THE WINNERS & FINALISTS OF THE JEWELERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

ONGRATULATIONS TO THIS year’s JCK Jewelers’ Choice Awards winners! With 21 categories subdivided into numerous price brackets, the competition was extra-fierce this year. While the winning jewels reflect the diversity of voices in our trade, they are united by a shared respect for innovation and ingenuity.

Exhibit A: the grand prize–winning Qasr Al Hosn 1761 ring by Tariq Riaz. Named for a tower located in the heart of Abu Dhabi, the 18k rose gold, enamel, and diamond ring features the designer’s signature AbrazoFIT™, allowing it to expand to accommodate the wearer.

Few of this year’s winners placed as great an emphasis on comfort as Riaz, but all succeeded in creating glamorous jewels that wholly impressed JCK ’s editors. Take Parlé Jewelry Designs’ slender bicolor tourmaline earrings, which won the Colored Stones ($5,001–$10,000) category. Or the openwork Gabriel & Co. gold ring that took the top prize in the Fashion/Bridge category (over $500). Or the lozenge–shape paraiba pendant from Omi Privé that dominated the Luxury category (over $10,000).

We couldn’t have pulled this supplement together without the help of our top-notch editorial team (Amy Elliott, Karen Dybis, Brittany Siminitz, Melissa Bernardo, and yours truly) and our most influential social media supporters, Hannah Becker (@diamondoodles), Severine Ferrari (@engagement101), Benjamin G. Guttery (@thirdcoastgems), Katerina Perez (@katerina_perez), Erica Silverglide (@gemologygeek), and Becky Stone (@diamondsinthelibrary).

Congrats again—to Tariq Riaz for his grand prize win, and to all the companies that submitted entries. Our industry wouldn’t be the same without you!

VICTORIA GOMELSKY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

PHOTO: JULIA GOMELSKY

Meet the Judges of the Editors’ Choice Awards

EDITORS

Editors’ Choice

in nonfiction writing from Columbia University. She is based in Los Angeles.

on independent jewelers, designer stories, family-owned stores, and the lighter side of jewelry. Her work has also appeared in U.S. News & World Report, Glamour.com, and The Detroit News. She is the author of four local-history books.

Britt got her start in the industry retailer after college. She loves exploring the work of emerging and new-to-her jewelry designers. She lives in the Washington, D.C., area with her husband and daughters.

time searching for Stores We Adore, scouting red-carpet trends, and penning punny headlines. Three nights a week, you’ll find her at the theater,

Meet the Judges of the Influencers’ Choice Awards

INFLUENCERS

Influencers’ Choice

An artist, gemologist, and consultant, Hannah founded Diamondoodles as the expression of years of fine arts training, glitter theory, and sparkle obsession. Her followers appreciate her unique ability to educate and her eye for color.

BECKY STONE

@DIAMONDSINTHELIBRARY

A writer/editor–turned–professional jewelry lover (and founder of the blog Diamonds in the Library), Becky is on a quest to discover the world’s most noteworthy jewels.

ERICA SILVERGLIDE

@GEMOLOGYGEEK

Erica uses her GIA training and unabashed love of rocks, minerals, and gems to give color-loving Instagrammers a #Gemacation. Follow her when you need a GemGeekOut.

career. With 400,000+ Instagram followers and 13+ years of experience, her expertise runs deep. She’s a GEM-A trained gemologist and communications and social media consultant.

BENJAMIN G. GUTTERY

@THIRDCOASTGEMS

Benjamin started Third Coast Gems nine years ago to spotlight the industry at large and up-and-coming talent. Over his 15-year career, he has been featured in such publications as the New York Post, JCK, the Observer, InStore, and Forbes.

SEVERINE FERRARI @ENGAGEMENT101

Severine Ferrari is the editor-in-chief of Engagement 101, a digital magazine and community for people in love and ready to commit to a future together.

EDITORS’ CHOICE + INFLUENCERS’ CHOICE

Luxury Show

Over $10,000

Platinum pendant featuring an 11.47 carat pear-shape Paraíba-type tourmaline accented by Brazilian Paraíba tourmalines and diamonds.

EXPECT THE EXCEPTIONAL

At Omi Privé we seek out the most exquisite colored gemstones and work entirely in their service, employing expert American craftsmanship and unique jewelry designs to accentuate their natural beauty.

We believe colored gemstones are nature’s finest works of art and it is our privilege to provide you with these masterpieces. We thank you for your continued support and partnership. Recognition from our peers fuels our passion for more.

Please visit us at LUX702 to view the JCK Jewelers’ Choice award winners and experience the Omi Privé difference.

omiprive.com

Best Necklace Design

Over $10,000

18K yellow gold pendant accented with black rhodium featuring a 1.84 carat oval Australian black opal accented by red spinels, diamonds and rose-cut diamonds.

INFLUENCERS’ CHOICE

Best Wedding Design

Over $10,000

Platinum ring featuring a 3.11 carat cushion Madagascan cobalt blue spinel accented by hauynes, Brazilian Paraíba tourmalines and diamonds.

Men’s Jewelry

Over $2,500

Platinum cuff links accented with black rhodium featuring 2.31 carat total weight of oval cat’s eye alexandrites accented by Brazilian alexandrites and diamonds.

Best Statement Piece

$10,000 - $50,000

Platinum ring featuring a 6.38 carat oval moonstone accented by aquamarines, hauynes and diamonds.

1ST PLACE WINNER

1ST PLACE WINNER

2ND PLACE WINNER

2ND PLACE WINNER

1ST PLACE WINNER

Colored Diamonds

Lab-Grown

ALL PRICE POINTS

FINALIST

LIKA BEHAR COLLECTION

ALL PRICE POINTS

WINNER SMILING ROCKS

BY AIYA DESIGNS

Editors’ & Influencers’ WINNER

WINNER

FINALIST ALAMEA HAWAII

FINALIST ANIA HAIE

OVER $500

Fashion/Bridge

$500 & UNDER

Influencers’

WINNER ARY D’PO

FINALIST BERCO JEWELRY

FINALIST MAURA GREEN DESIGN

FINALIST BERND WOLF

FINALIST AURELIE GI

Editors’ Choice WINNER

Choice WINNER

Best Gende

FINALIST

UNEEK JEWELRY

Luxury Show

OVER $10,000

Luxury Show

$10,000 & UNDER

FINALIST SHY CREATION

Editors’ & Influencers’ WINNER

FINALIST GABRIEL & CO.

WINNER GABRIEL & CO.

FINALIST SHY CREATION

Best Earring

$10,000 & UNDER

WINNER GABRIEL & CO.

WINNER SUSAN GORDON JEWELRY Editors’ Choice WINNER

FINALIST YAEL DESIGNS

FINALIST PARLÉ JEWELRY DESIGNS

Influencers’ Choice WINNER

FINALIST RAHAMINOV DIAMONDS

WINNER TARIQ RIAZ

FINALIST NEON GEMS

FINALIST GABRIEL & CO.

FINALIST GABRIEL & CO.

Best Ring

$2,501–$5,000

WINNER PARLÉ JEWELRY DESIGNS Influencers’ Choice WINNER

FINALIST SHY CREATION

Best Ring

$2,500 & UNDER

FINALIST GABRIEL & CO.

WINNER BRILLIANT EARTH

FINALIST I.REISS

OVER $10,000

FINALIST SEVAN DESIGNS

Best Bracelet

$2,501–$10,000

FINALIST SHY CREATION

$2,500 & UNDER

WINNER SHY CREATION

FINALIST GABRIEL & CO. & CO.

WINNER SHULA NEW YORK

Best