The HJA 2023 Annual Banquet will be held on October 28th, 2023. Design Contest winners will be announced at the banquet. Attendees can vote for the People's Choice awards for the Design Contest pieces.
The 2022 Designer of the Year 2022 was Eiko Dunster - Opal Fields for her piece Bluer Blue.
Bluer Blue by Eiko Dunster
The Hawaii Jewelers Association Annual Banquet will again beheld 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 will be Ms. Michelle Graff, Editor-in-Chief, National Jeweler magazine.
The Banquet will be held on October 28th, 2023 from 5:30 to 9:30 P.M.
Look at how much fun we all had at previous Banquets:
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.
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.
Bluer Blue by Eiko Dunster
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:
The Hawaii Jewelers Association (HJA) holds a Design Contest annually which showcases the incredible designs of Hawaii's jewelry professionals. Held concurrently with the Annual Fundraiser Banquet, this nationally and internationally recognized design contest is open to HJA members.
Submitted pieces are graded by three independent judges the week prior to the Annual Banquet (usually held in May) and the winners are announced during the banquet. In addition to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from the formal judging, banquet attendees vote for their favorite entries as "People's Choice" award winners in each category.
The 2020 design contest was held in early October. The deadline to submit entries was Wednesday, September 30th and the winners were:
Under $3500 Category:
Pua Melia
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:
Magnificent
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:
Hawaiian Sunrise
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
Voting for the 2020 People Choice Awards was done via a Poll linked to the HJA Facebook Page. Voting ended on Saturday, October 10th.
The winners will receive a koa framed certificate. The winners are promoted by HJA in social media, trade magazines and industry publications, and other forms of communication both locally and nationally.
Design Contest Categories:
Jewelry under $3500
Jewelry $3500 and Over
Hawaiian Themed Jewelry
Estate/Vintage Jewelry (People's Choice Award only) - NOTE: there is no Estate/Vintage category in the 2020 Design Contest.
Entries are judged on a point system (does not apply to Estate/Vintage):
Judging Criteria
A) Overall Design
40 points maximum
B) Marketability
20 points maximum
C) Practicality/Wearability
20 points maximum
D) Craftsmanship
20 points maximum
Total
100 points maximum
Guide A) Is it compelling? B) Does the price match the piece? C) Is it comfortable to wear? D) Is it well made?
The designer of the highest scoring entry across all categories is designated the Hawaii Jewelers Association "Designer of the Year". So the Designer of the Year could come from the Under $3500, $3500 and Over, or Hawaiian Themed category.
Estate/Vintage pieces are not eligible for Designer of the Year. Estate/Vintage pieces do not have to have been designed by an HJA member. NOTE - the 2020 Design Contest does not have a Vintage Category.
Entries in the Under $3500, $3500 and Over, and Hawaiian Themed categories must be designed by an HJA member and produced within 18 months prior to the Design Contest.
A designer must be from an HJA member company and can only submit one entry per judged category. More than one designer from a company may submit entries. Estate/Vintage entries are not associated with a designer and an HJA member company may submit as many Estate/Vintage pieces as they wish.
Featured at the Hong Kong Jewellery Show Biennially, the HJA Designer of the Year is awarded a qualifying entry at the prestigious Hong Kong Jewellery Show.
2020 Design Contest Fee Schedule (per company):
$75 Single Entry
$70 Per Entry - 2 Entries ($140 total)
$60 Per Entry - 3 Entries ($180 total)
$55 Per Entry - 4 or more Entries ($220 for 4 Entries)
The winner of each category will receive a free entry in the following year's Design Contest.
Each new HJA member will receive one free entry Design Contest entry for the year that they joined (the free entry does not apply towards multiple entry pricing).
After the Design Contest, entrants who wish to know how they did relative to the scoring system may request an email with their score (per entry) along with a score break-down for each of the judging criteria. The total score of the winning entry for the same category will be listed for comparison. This feedback is intended to help designers see how they did and what areas they need to focus upon in the future.
MONSTERA RING: by Maui Divers Design Team - Maui Divers Jewelry. Escape to your own personal tropical garden with the conforming elegance and comfort of this beautiful Monstera Ring. Stamped - Made in Hawaii. $595.
ELEGANT EMBRACE: by Dona Wong - Keoni Collection. This graceful platinum ring features a stunning 5.43 carat green tourmaline framed in a flowing asymmetrical design set off with brilliant diamonds, all coming together in an elegant embrace. $3,300 LANIKAI: by Denny Wong ‑ Denny Wong Designs. Capturing tropical Lanikai Ocean colors these graceful, casual earrings are created in 18 karat white and yellow gold and feature baubles of aquamarine and sparkling periwinkle blue tanzanite. $2,900 DAWN ECLIPSE: by Mark Carson - Mark Carson/Individual Design. Depicting the moon about to eclipse the rising sun over an azure sea, this creative design features an orange sapphire, white sapphires, lapis lazuli and a glowing South Sea Pearl set in Sterling Silver. $899 - Made in Hawaii PUA MELIA: by Chira Duval-Arnould - Aquagems LLC. This creative and stunning Pua Melia or Plumeria Flower design features a rich golden south seas pearl and brilliant colorless topaz gems beautifully created in gold plated Sterling Silver. $597 - Made in Hawaii RIPPIN IT: by Tom Wheeler - Opal Fields. Featuring a colorful Ethiopian crystal opal this easy wearing super comfortable bracelet is the perfect everyday piece that will top off anything in your wardrobe. Body conforming the light spring loaded gold allows the wearer to effortlessly rip it on and rip it off. $1,250 PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT: by Eli Saban ‑ JES Jewelry. The Unalome Lotus flower design represents wisdom and the path to enlightenment. Capturing this meaning perfectly, this pendant is masterfully crafted in 14 karat gold featuring an aquamarine gem and diamond accent. $1,995 - Made in Hawaii LUNAR LOVE RING: by Carrie Nottage Smith ‑ Na Hoku. Featuring and impressive South Sea Pearl and a beautiful blue Tanzanite gem the unique bypass design of this ring captures the moon s endless dance around our blue planet. Beautifully crafted in 14 karat white gold studded with shimmering diamonds. $3,200 - Made in Hawaii YOUR MAKE ME BLUSH: by Mira Rah ‑ Solitaire Jewelers. These charming and sexy dangle earrings feature sculpted pink quartz briolette gems accented with blue topaz and diamonds crafted in precious 18 karat white gold. Your sure to make her blush when you tell her how charming and sexy she looks wearing these earrings! $1,850. WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS: by Marco Salem ‑ Solitaire Jewelers. These classic and beautiful dangle earrings feature sculpted lemon yellow quartz briolette gems accented with diamonds and crafted in 18 karat white gold. Life will never give you lemons when wearing these beautiful earrings! $1,850.
$3500 and Over Entries
E Ho'āla: by Maui Divers Design Team - Maui Divers Jewelry. E Ho'āla, which means “The awakening,” is inspired by the Hawaiian Sunrise. A symbol of new beginnings and the promise of possibilities, this inspired piece captures the rays in 14k yellow gold, 0.79 carats of diamonds and a top quality 17mm South Sea Pearl. $16,995. Inspired, designed and created in Hawaii. SECRET GARDEN: by Dona Wong - Keoni Collection. This beautiful emerald and diamond pendant with its intricate curves and openings evokes the feminine nature. The soothing green emeralds set the mood and the brilliant diamonds spark the excitement to frolic in the secret garden . . . masterfully created in 18 karat white gold. $4,790 TEARDROPS OF THE SUN: by Mark Carson - Mark Carson Individual Design. This earring and pendant ensemble features orange sapphires from which golden Tahitian pearls dangle. Brilliant, colorful and elegant this ensemble is created in 18K white gold with diamond accent and an 18K white gold snake chain. $6,995. Made in Hawaii. MAGNIFICENT: by Tom Wheeler - Opal Fields. A magnificent boulder black opal, surrounded by magnificent “hearts & arrows” diamonds. A magnificent ring that magnificently transforms into a magnificent pendant! Of course, magnificently created in 18 karat yellow gold. $74,900 - Completely Made in Hawaii GOLDEN NATURALLY: by Chira Duval-Arnould - Aquagems. An organic nature inspired design featuring a naturally intense golden color South Seas pearl and brilliant diamonds representing the golden beauty of the precious nature that surrounds us. $4,195 - Made in Hawaii DANCING MR BLUE: by Wailua Brandman - Opal Fields. Mr Blue, an incredible GIA graded fancy vivid blue diamond, reflecting and dancing among the brilliance of the pave` set diamonds surrounding it. The precision craftsmanship to allow Mr Blue to dance with the heart beat of the wearer is truly incredible and painstaking bringing pride and joy to its owner. $49,000 - Made in Hawaii WINNER: by Eli Saban - JES Jewelry. This incredible massive gold pendant depicts the proud winning gamecock for anyone who wants to show off their winning status or who simply wants to invest in gold and art. $4,995 - Made in Hawaii SWEET AS SUGAR: by Dale Cripps - Hawaiian Isles Jewelry & Collectibles. Are you sweet as sugar and hard as ice? If so this Sugar Loaf emerald ring might be for you! In 18 karat white gold it features an incredible 6.24 carat rare sugar loaf emerald cabochon with matching trillion diamonds in a classic three stone ring design. $15,900 MAHINA QUILT PENDANT: by Carrie Nottage Smith - Na Hoku. Inspired by the famous Hawaiian heirloom quilts it features a beautiful ocean blue moonstone gem that is set off with four carefully matched blue tanzanite gems delicately accented with diamonds. It captures the beauty of Hawaii and the lore of Hawaiian heirloom quilt. $4,495 - Made in Hawaii SMOKING HOT: by Mira Rah - Solitaire Jewelers. These earrings are “smoking hot” featuring sultry mysterious smoky quartz briolette gems under a crown of brilliant diamonds in 18 karat white gold and will add that “smoking hot” touch to outfit your wearing. $6,450 MY ROSE: by Marco Salem - Solitaire Jewelers. An intricately designed statement ring, feminine and intriguing with red rubies and pink sapphires romantically set in a black rhodium plated finish. Give your love a chance to grow with My Rose! $14,900
Hawaiian Themed Entries
OHANA: by Luana Zablan - Lehua Jewelers. The word Ohana is rooted in the kalo plant oha - ana. The oha is used to create the next generation and this pendant of 14 karat gold and gemstones elegantly represents this rich Hawaiian word meaning. $2,495. LEHUA ALOHILANI: by Sharon Gilbert - Lehua Jewelers. These 18 karat yellow gold earrings are hand engraved in Hawaiian heirloom style with bright ray like lines and that along with the brilliant diamonds beautifully depict Hawaii’s bright skies (Alohilani). $3,625 - Made in Hawaii IPU BRACELET: by Maui Divers Design Team - Maui Divers Jewelry. Inspired by the Bishop Museum collections and adorned with a striking triangular patterning, this bracelet in 14k yellow gold is an element of Hawaiian life that speaks to prosperity, music and the celebration of daily life. $7,295 - Made in Hawaii HAWAIIAN SUNRISE: by Denny Wong - Denny Wong Designs. The intensely colorful Hawaiian sunrise shells where once the exclusive property of Hawaiian Royalty regarded as a precious jewel. This pendant and earring ensemble with delicately cascading of graduated colored fancy sapphires in 14 karat rose gold capture all the beauty, color and preciousness of what the native people of Hawaii thought of as the most precious thing to have. $3,300 THE BLUE WAVE: by Thom Sirivattha & Mark Carson - Mark Carson Individual Design. As a surfer being fully engulfed inside a breaking wave is the ultimate surfing experience known as surfing the blue room, the inspiration for this wave bracelet design in sterling silver set with a blue sapphire. $1,200 - Made in Hawaii HAWAII ISLAND: by Chira Duval-Arnould - Aquagems LLC. This delightful ring shows the outline of Hawaii’s largest island, Hawaii Island. It magically reflects and shows off the golden South Seas pearl it holds in its intriguing parabolic sculpted design. Hawaii Island is a magical place and this magical ring represents it well. Created in gold plated Sterling Silver it is super affordable. $225 - Made in Hawaii DOWN UNDER HONU: by Tom Wheeler - Opal Fields. The hawaiian green sea turtle (honu) is probably Hawaii’s most loved and respected sea creature claimed by many as their Aumakua or guardian creature. The nature and colors of Australia’s black opal lend perfectly to express this beautiful and magical creature. This Honu pendant design features a beautiful Australian boulder black opal with tiny diamonds making this honu’s eyes sparkle. $3,845 - Made in Hawaii ISLAND STYLE: by Dale Cripps - Hawaiian Isles Jewelry & Collectibles. The plumeria flower is the most famous flower in all of Hawaii. This bracelet captures the beauty and deep sculptural aspects of this graceful delicate flower perfectly. $1,300 - Made in Hawaii MOANA REEF-LIFE NECKLACE: by Carrie Nottage Smith - Na Hoku. This enchanting necklace captures Hawaii’s ocean sea creatures beautifully with color inlays, diamonds and 14 karat gold. Wonderfully designed it is linked together so that it conforms to the body as though it was a part of you. $5890 - Made in Hawaii.
Congratulations to our last year's Hawaii Jewelers Association Designer of the Year winner, Chira Duval-Arnould, Aqua Gems for her "Pearl Change" design piece.
This annual event is locally & nationally recognized every year with 27 design pieces in this years competition. We have 3 judges that volunteer their time prior to our banquet.
HJA is a non-profit organization that is kindly accepting donations for our silent auction and raffle prize. Examples: Jewelry pieces, industry equipment & tools, wine & spirits, electronics, beauty products & services, snacks & desserts, art, home products/culinary, restaurant and store gift cards, as well as live activities such as a private chef dinner, hotel accommodations, golf events, etc.
I am graciously requesting your kokua. Please contact our Board of Directors if you have questions or need more information at admin@hawaiijewelersassociation.com or (808) 536-4255.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
The Hawaii Jewelers Association (HJA) holds a Design Contest annually which showcases the incredible designs of Hawaii's jewelry professionals. Typically held concurrently with the Annual Fundraiser Banquet, this nationally and internationally recognized design contest is open to HJA members.
Submitted pieces are graded by three independent judges the week prior to the Annual Banquet and the winners are announced during the banquet. In addition to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from the formal judging, banquet attendees vote for their favorite entries as "People's Choice" award winners in each category.
This year (2023), the design contest will be held in October. The deadline to submit entries is Wednesday, October 25th. Entries needed to be delivered to Tom Wheeler at Opal Fields (International Market Place, Waikiki - by the Tesla dealership) with entry forms and payment submitted prior to delivery.
Voting for the 2023 People Choice Awards will done in-person at the Annual Banquet on October 28, 2023.
Estate/Vintage Jewelry (People's Choice Award only) - NOTE: there is no Estate/Vintage category in the 2023 Design Contest.
Entries are judged on a point system (does not apply to Estate/Vintage):
Judging Criteria
A) Overall Design
40 points maximum
B) Marketability
20 points maximum
C) Practicality/Wearability
20 points maximum
D) Craftsmanship
20 points maximum
Total
100 points maximum
Guide A) Is it compelling? B) Does the price match the piece? C) Is it comfortable to wear? D) Is it well made?
The designer of the highest scoring entry across all categories is designated the Hawaii Jewelers Association "Designer of the Year". So the Designer of the Year could come from the Under $3500, $3500 and Over, or Hawaiian Themed category.
Estate/Vintage pieces are not eligible for Designer of the Year. Estate/Vintage pieces do not have to have been designed by an HJA member. NOTE - the 2023 Design Contest does not have a Vintage Category.
Entries in the Under $3500, $3500 and Over, and Hawaiian Themed categories must be designed by an HJA member and produced within 18 months prior to the Design Contest.
A designer must be from an HJA member company and can only submit one entry per judged category. More than one designer from a company may submit entries. Estate/Vintage entries are not associated with a designer and an HJA member company may submit as many Estate/Vintage pieces as they wish.
Featured at the Hong Kong Jewellery Show Biennially, the HJA Designer of the Year is awarded a qualifying entry at the prestigious Hong Kong Jewellery Show.
2023 Design Contest Fee Schedule (per company):
$75 Single Entry
$70 Per Entry - 2 Entries ($140 total)
$60 Per Entry - 3 Entries ($180 total)
$55 Per Entry - 4 or more Entries ($220 for 4 Entries)
The winner of each category will receive a free entry in the following year's Design Contest.
Each new HJA member will receive one free entry Design Contest entry for the year that they joined (the free entry does not apply towards multiple entry pricing).
After the Design Contest, entrants who wish to know how they did relative to the scoring system may request an email with their score (per entry) along with a score break-down for each of the judging criteria. The total score of the winning entry for the same category will be listed for comparison. This feedback is intended to help designers see how they did and what areas they need to focus upon in the future.
