SAVE THE DATE! The 77th annual HJA Design Competition & Banquet will be held on October 17, 2026 at the Oahu Country Club. Start preparing your designs for competition now! The design competition is open to HJA members, but the banquet is open to all--this is a great way for small businesses or anyone curious about membership to meet and associate with the best in the industry. And there's still time to join HJA so you can enter your designs as well!
The Hawaii Jewelers Association celebrated its 76th anniversary in 2025. Our annual banquet was October 11, 2025 at the Oahu Country Club in Nuʻuanu. The Design Contest was held concurrently and the winners for 2025 are:
Designer of the Year 2025
Designer of the Year 2025 - Joshua Edelstein of Edelstein Metalsmiths for Kamaʻehuakanaloa
Kama'ehuakanaloa, formerly known as Lōʻihi, is a deep-ocean volcano on the SE flank of Mauna Loa. Here, the molten caldera is represented by a vibrant Ethiopian fire opal glowing through the pelagic depths of a 24.5 ct London blue topaz, surrounded by 0.94 ctw of round brilliant whitecaps and 2.1 ctw of black diamonds niho-niho pattern seamounts set in 14k gold. The lozenge shape of the pendant refers to the old name "Lōʻihi" which means long, like the shape of the volcano itself. The opal, visible from the back, is surrounded by a stylized web of intaglio lava flows weaving over each other.
Under $5000 - Category I
Under $5000, 1st Place - Life's a Beach - Eiko Dunster of Opal Fields
Expertly crafted in 14 Karat gold, featuring a gem boulder opal and accented with brilliant hearts and arrows diamonds. This is the ring for a love as vast and unpredictable as the ocean itself. "Life's a Beach," it’s a promise to find joy in the waves and solace in the sand, always together. A miniature snapshot of the deep sea. It's rich, play-of-color erupting across its surface like the sun-drenched moments of a perfect coastal day. A piece of the seaside, forever preserved on your hand.
Under $5000, 2nd Place - Karkinos Ring - Joshua Edelstein, Edelstein Metalsmiths
This glittering bypass ring shows the astrological symbol for Cancer, known as Karkinos in the original Greek. The symbol is draw out in tiny rubies each literally smaller than a gnat, surrounding a half-carat F-color SI clarity center diamond and two smaller side stones of matching color and clarity. Set in lustrous 18K white gold, unplated to show the true luster of the metal.
Under $5000, 3rd Place - A Daughter of the Gods - Alex McFarlin of Na Hoku
This Siren rises from the depths carrying an exquisite treasure, a faceted 10mm Tahitian pearl. Her matte-finished sterling silver skin exhibits a dewy appearance, kissed with 14 karat yellow gold accents.
Under $5000, People's Choice - Diamond Flash - Carrie Nottage Smith of Na Hoku
14K yellow gold earrings with 0.63 ctw of diamonds. Designed for fun and sparkle, depicting our beautiful bright Hawaiian sun.
$5000 and Over - Category II
Over $5000, 1st Place - Mariposa - Jon Pirl of Opal Fields
A celebration of nature's most enchanting transformation, Mariposa features an extraordinarily rare Colombian Trapiche emerald--meticulously carved into the delicate form of a butterfly. The emerald's natural spoke pattern accentuates wings in motion, symbolizing harmony and renewal. The butterfly flutters through an etherial 18K yellow gold garden, where hearts-and-arrows diamonds glisten like morning dew, illuminating the piece with both precision and poetry. A masterpiece of artistry and gemological rarity, Mariposa captures a fleeting moment of beauty--forever suspended in gold and light.
Over $5000 - 2nd Place - Transformational - Eiko Dunster of Opal Fields
These sapphire earrings celebrate both the quiet intimacy of a deep connection and the dazzling joy of shared celebration. At their core rests a pair of exceptional Sapphire Gems precision set in 18 karat yellow gold post-style earrings. Worn alone, they are an elegant whisper of devotion, a classic promise of love that needs no adornment to be profound. But when the moment calls for a flourish, they can be dramatically transformed, surrounding the sapphires with brilliant, shimmering diamonds in 18 karat white gold jackets meticulously crafted to form a halo of brilliance around the oval sapphires. Whether presented as the classic sapphire stud for daily reassurance or fully adorned for a night of breathtaking romance, these earrings offer a beautiful duality ready to be styled for every chapter of life's journey.
Over $5000, 3rd Place - Pua Mele - Kacie Epperly of Honolulu Jewelry Company
14K yellow gold double plumeria ombre ring, with 0.95 ctw of white sapphires and 2.06 ctw of pink sapphires.
Over $5000, People's Choice - Groovy - David Heartson, Heartson Jewelry
14K yellow gold surfboard set in 0.45 ctw of VS diamonds and 0.75 ctw of blue diamonds.
Hawaiian Themed - Category III
Hawaiian Themed, 1st Place - Kamaʻehuakanaloa - Joshua Edelstein, Edelstein Metalsmiths
Kama'ehuakanaloa, formerly known as Lōʻihi, is a deep-ocean volcano on the SE flank of Mauna Loa. Here, the molten caldera is represented by a vibrant Ethiopian fire opal glowing through the pelagic depths of a 24.5 ct London blue topaz, surrounded by 0.94ctw of round brilliant whitecaps and 2.1 ctw of black diamonds niho-niho pattern seamounts set in 14k gold. The lozenge shape of the pendant refers to the old name "Lōʻihi" which means long, like the shape of the volcano itself. The opal, visible from the back, is surrounded by a stylized web of intaglio lava flows weaving over each other.
Hawaiian Themed, 2nd Place - Lelewaʻa - Alex McFarlin of Na Hoku
14k gold whale shark pendant. This gentle giant of the Hawaiian open ocean is encrusted with 30 diamonds and features a school of remora dancing across its belly.
Hawaiian Themed, 3rd Place - Hōkūala - Hailey Stockton of Lehua Jewelers
This captivating pendant is a celestial tribute to the ancient Hawaiian navigators who charted their course by the stars. Named Hōkūala, meaning "Pathway of the Stars" in Hawaiian, this piece honors the guidance, courage and timeless beauty of those journeys. Crafted in rich 14K yellow gold, this pendant is hand-engraved with precision, featuring a mesmerizing pattern of geometric triangles reminiscent of Hawaiian kakau and ohe kapala designs. A vertical row of brilliant diamonds symbolizes the guiding stars that light the way across vast oceans and time. The contrast between the textured gold and the sparkling diamomds creates an enchanting balance of earth and sky, tradition and modern elegance.
Hawaiian Themed, People's Choice - Loulu - Carrie Nottage Smith of Na Hoku
14k yellow gold handmade linked necklace with 1.0 ctw of diamonds. The Loulu is endemic to Hawaii and to Oʻahu in particular. The palm is symbolic of peace, celebration and good luck.
The Hawaii Jewelers Association celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2024. Our annual banquet was October 26, 2024 at the Elks Lodge in Waikiki on Oahu. The Design Contest was held concurrently and the winners for 2024 are:
Designer of the Year 2024
Designer of the Year 2024 - Carrie Nottage Smith, Na Hoku for Nautilus
Under $5000 - Category I
Under $5000, 1st Place - Pearl of Aphrodite - Alex McFarlin, Na Hoku
Under $5000, 2nd Place - Over the Rainbow - Tom Wheeler, Opal Fields
Under $5000, 3rd Place - Blooming Sun - Chira Duval-Arnould, Aquagems LLC
Under $5000, People's Choice - Pearl of Aphrodite - Alex McFarlin, Na Hoku
$5000 and Over - Category II
Over $5000, 1st Place - Nautilus - Carrie Nottage Smith, Na Hoku
Over $5000 - 2nd Place - Transformation - Dona Wong, Keoni Collection
Over $5000, 3rd Place - Year of the Dragon - The Design Team, Na Hoku
Over $5000, People's Choice - Nautilus - Carrie Nottage Smith, Na Hoku
Hawaiian Themed - Category III
Hawaiian Themed, 1st Place - Hoku Nani - Carrie Nottage Smith, Na Hoku
Hawaiian Themed, 2nd Place - Hahalua Aumakua - Alex McFarlin, Na Hoku
Hawaiian Themed, 3rd Place - Voyages - Eli Saban, JES Jewelry Co
Hawaiian Themed, People's Choice - Diamond Islands - David Heartson, Heartson Jewelry
UPDATE: The 2024 Design Contest winners are announced here!
The HJA 2024 Annual Banquet was held on October 26th, 2024. Design Contest winners were announced at the banquet. Attendees voted for the People's Choice awards for the Design Contest pieces.
Click here for the 2024 Design Contest rules and entry form.
Click here to reserve a seat at the Banquet.
Click here to reserve a table - up to 10 seats for the price of 9.
The Hawaii Jewelers Association Annual Banquet was held at the Elks Lodge in Waikiki. Located at 2933 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815. Click to view location on a map.
Our featured speaker was Hawaii State Senator Sharon Moriwaki.
Be a Banquet Sponsor - Contact us for details!
The Banquet was be held on October 26th, 2024 from 5:30 to 9:30 P.M.
Click here to view the 2023 Design Contest winners.
Look at how much fun we all had at previous Banquets:
Octopus - Denny Wong, Denny Wong Designs
Stairway to Heaven - Eiko Dunster, Opal Fields
Spirit of Wai - Diana Behic, Heartson Jewelry
Colors of the Sea - David Johnson, Heartson Jewelry
Trapiche - Johnathan Pirl, Jonny P Jewelers
Southern Cross, A Sailors Dream - Paul Williams, Pisces Pacifica
Honu Down Under - Tom Wheeler, Opal Fields
Green Flash - Carrie Nottage Smith, Na Hoku
Luminaire - Joshua Edelstein, Edelstein Metalsmiths
Kumu Nalu Bracelet - Sharon Gilbert, Lehua Jewelers
Olili Lehua - Diana Behic, Honolulu Jewelry Company
Green and the Blue - Johnathan Pirl, Jonny P Jewelers
Illusion - Michael Nemeth, Michael Nemeth Inc.
Flipped Over You - Tom Wheeler, Opal Fields
Earth - Eiko Dunster, Opal Fields
Open Channel - Joshua Edelstein, Edelstein Metalsmiths
Pulelehua - Carrie Nottage Smith, Na Hoku
Fleur de la Perle - Raylene de le Cruz, Opal Fields
Kumu Nalu Ring - Sharon Gilbert, Lehua Jewelers
Sunburst - Denny Wong, Denny Wong Designs
Leading Lady - David Johnson, Heartson Jewelry
Lehua Vigor - Diana Behic, Honolulu Jewelry Company
Wipe Out - Paul Williams, Pisces Pacifica
Humpback - Tom Wheeler, Opal Fields
Sakura Aloha - Eiko Dunster, Opal Fields
Hoe I Ka La - Joshua Edelstein, Edelstein Metalsmiths
The full list of entries will follow in a few days, but here are the winners of the 2023 Hawaii Jewelers Association Design Contest:
Under $3500
Click here to view all of the Under $3500 entries
First Place: Spirit of Wai - Diana Behic, Heartson Jewelry
Second Place: Stairway to Heaven - Eiko Dunster, Opal Fields
Third Place: Luminaire - Joshua Edelstein, Edelstein Metalsmiths
People's Choice Co-Winner: Green Flash - Carrie Nottage Smith, Na Hoku
People's Choice Co-Winner: Spirit of Wai - Diana Behic, Heartson Jewelry
Over $3500
Click here to view all of the Over $3500 entries
First Place: Pulelehua - Carrie Nottage Smith, Na Hoku
Second Place: Illusion - Michael Nemeth, Michael Nemeth, Inc.
Third Place: Olili Lehua - Diana Behic, Honolulu Jewelry Co.
People's Choice: Kumu Nalu Bracelet - Sharon Gilbert, Lehua Jewelers
Hawaiian Theme
Click here to view all of the Hawaiian Theme entries
First Place: Lehua Vigor, Diana Behic, Heartson Jewelry
Second Place: Sakura Aloha, Eiko Dunster, Opal Fields
Third Place: Leading Lady - David Johnson, Heartson Jewelry
People's Choice: Lehua Vigor - Diana Behic, Heartson Jewelry
Designer of the Year 2023: Diana Behic for Lehua Vigor
Please congratulate Diana Behic of Honolulu Jewelry Company for her Design Contest winning piece "Lehua Vigor". This outstanding piece of jewelry won the Hawaiian Theme category and was the People's Choice winner in that category as well and is the overall winner of the Hawaii Jewelers Association Design Contest for 2023 making Diana our Designer of the Year for 2023.
Click here to view the winning pieces in each category. More details on the Design Contest entries to follow soon.
Click here to view the Under $3500 entries
Saturday, October 21, 2023 is the deadline for entering pieces into the 2023 Hawaii Jewelers Association Design Contest. Entry forms and the jewelry pieces themselves must be delivered to Tom Wheeler at Opal Fields, International Market Place, 2330 Kalākaua Ave Suite 196, Honolulu, HI 96815 by 5 PM this Saturday.
Winners of the judged competition will be announced at the Annual Banquet where voting for the People's Choice awards will take place.
If you have not reserved seats, or a table, for the HJA Annual Banquet, please do so now. The banquet will be held on Saturday, Oct. 28th at the Oahu Country Club in Nuuanu Valley on Oahu. Tickets are available online: https://hawaiijewelersassociation.com/2023-annual-banquet-and-design-contest/
