The winners have been announced for the 2022 Hawaii Jewelers Association Design Contest. Click here to see their beautiful pieces.
The 2022 Designer of the Year is Eiko Dunster - Opal Fields for her piece Bluer Blue.
All posts by Mark Carson
2022 Silent Auction
HJA will once again be hosting a Silent Auction at our Annual Banquet on October 22, 2022. Do you have any items you would like to feature? You may donate items or request for a reserved price to be placed. All proceeds will fund HJA's educational programs and seminars.
For more information or if you are interested in participating, please contact our Executive Director@ or Auction Chair & Board Member, Carol Moore 808-258-5431 or by email at mooreideas65@gmail.com.
Pieces will need to dropped off no later than Wednesday,October 12, 2022 at Estate Liquidators Hawaii - 1126 12th Avenue Suite 105. Please contact our executive director, Chivon if you would like your items picked up.
2022 Annual Banquet and Design Contest
The HJA 2022 Annual Banquet was held on October 22nd. Design Contest winners were announced at the banquet. Attendees also voted for the People's Choice awards for the Design Contest pieces. Click here to see the Design Contest winning pieces.
The Designer of the Year 2022 is Eiko Dunster - Opal Fields for her piece Bluer Blue.
The Hawaii Jewelers Association Annual Banquet was again held at the beautiful Oahu Country Club in Nuuanu Valley on Oahu. Located at 150 Country Club Road, Honolulu, HI 96817. Click to view location on a map.
Our featured speaker was Mr. David Bonaparte, CEO & President of Jewelers of America.
The Banquet was October 22nd, 2022 from 5:30 to 9:30 P.M.
Look at how much fun we all had at previous Banquets:
Renew Now and Save $50
HJA members are encouraged to take advantage of Early Bird pricing for 2023 Membership. Renew by December 15th, 2022 and save $50.
Click here to start your annual HJA membership renewal
2021 Design Contest Winners
The Judges and People have spoken, the HJA 2021 Design Contest results are in and the winners are:
Under $3500:
1st Place: Kaimana by David Johnson, Honolulu Jewelry Co.
2nd Place: Festive by Donna Wong, Keoni Collection
3rd Place: Kananaka by Maui Divers Design Team, Maui Divers
People's Choice: Kaimana by David Johnson, Honolulu Jewelry Co.
$3500 and over:
1st Place: Merry-Go-Round by Tom Wheeler, Opal Fields
2nd Place: Harmony by Donna Wong, Keoni Collection
3rd Place: Malie Kai by Carrie Nottage-Smith, Na Hoku
People's Choice: Cocotail by David Johnson, Honolulu Jewelry Co.
Hawaiian Themed:
1st Place: Green Flash by Tom Wheeler, Opal Fields
2nd Place: Maua Makai by Carrie Nottage-Smith, Na Hoku
3rd Place: Aloalo by David Johnson, Honolulu Jewelry Co.
People's Choice: Aloalo by David Johnson, Honolulu Jewelry Co.
Designer of the Year 2021: Tom Wheeler, Opal Fields for
"Merry-Go-Round"
Renew Now and Save $50
HJA members are encouraged to take advantage of Early Bird pricing for 2022 Membership. Renew by December 15th, 2021 and save $50.
Click here to start your annual HJA membership renewal
HJA 2021 Design Contest
HJA Members should enter their recently designed pieces now in the 2021 Design Contest. Entries must be submitted by October 14th, 2021. Winners will be announced November 1st. The People's Choice voting will again be conducted online via the HJA Facebook Page.
Click here for rules and entry details.
Security Tips
There have been a number of recent jewelry related break-ins, robberies and burglaries in Hawaii.
The most recent being on Feb. 7th, 2021 just outside Aloha Stadium: https://www.khon2.com/local-news/police-search-for-suspect-in-connection-to-aiea-carjacking/
Here are some security tip from HJA Board Member Dale Cripps:
The situation is critical for all stores & all Islands, Day & Night. No one is immuneto this and we encourage owners everywhere to do the following:
1) Place signs at the front entrance and in the store, saying that you have Camera Surveillance in the shop.
2) If you don't have Cameras.....Get them installed ASAP.
3) At the very least buy a fake camera with a light, that is on, placed at the front entrance, with signage.
4) If you have business neighbors, have a meeting for everyone to be watchful of people coming & going in the area who could be "casing" a store.
5) Remember that removing temptation is a great strategy. Lock everything into your safes and remove inexpensive items from sight. Leave your empty cases uncovered so the message is “Nothing available here, not worth your effort”.
Stay watchful and safe!
New Associate Member Simply 3D Hawaii
Welcome to new Associate Member Simply 3D Hawaii. We are pleased to have this Hawaii company offering 3D printers and 3D printing services to the jewelry industry. They offer the ability to print using castable resins which allows jewelers to cast custom pieces from 3D designs. Check out their HJA page, company website and Instagram page.
2020 Design Contest Winners
The 2020 Design Contest has concluded. Voting for the 2020 People Choice Awards was done via a Poll linked to the HJA Facebook Page.
And the winners are:
Under $3500 Category
- 1st Place: Pua Melia by Chira Duval-Arnould, Aquagems
- 2nd Place: Lunar Love Ring by Carrie Nottage-Smith, Na Hoku
- 3rd Place: Dawn Eclipse by Mark Carson, Mark Carson/Individual Design
- People's Choice: Rippin It by Tom Wheeler, Opal Fields
$3500 and Over Category:
- 1st Place: Magnificent by Tom Wheeler, Opal Fields
- 2nd Place: Secret Garden by Donna Wong, Keoni Collection
- 3rd Place: Dancing Mr. Blue by Wailua Brandman, Opal Fields
- People's Choice: Magnificent by Tom Wheeler, Opal Fields
Hawaiian Themed Category:
- 1st Place: Hawaiian Sunrise by Denny Wong, Denny Wong Designs
- 2nd Place: Moana Reef-Life by Carrie Nottage-Smith, Na Hoku
- 3rd Place: Lehua Alohilani by Sharon Gilbert, Lehua Jewelers
- People's Choice: Ohana by Luana Zablan, Lehua Jewelers
Designer of the Year 2020:
Chira Duval-Arnould, Aquagems for Pua Melia