A Symphony of Brilliance: Jewelers of America Unveils the Prestigious 2025 CASE Award Winners
In the dazzling world of fine jewelry, where artistry meets precision and tradition intertwines with innovation, few accolades carry the weight and prestige of the Jewelers of America (JA) CASE Awards. Each year, the industry holds its breath in anticipation of the announcement that celebrates the pinnacle of design and craftsmanship. Today, that wait is over. Jewelers of America has officially pulled back the velvet curtain to reveal the winners of its 2025 CASE Awards, a competition that honors the most exceptional skill, creativity, and vision in American jewelry design.
This year’s competition, marking an incredible 35th anniversary, saw an outpouring of talent, with over 150 breathtaking entries submitted from JA member companies nationwide. Each piece, a testament to the jeweler’s passion, was meticulously scrutinized by a panel of distinguished industry experts. The awards, proudly sponsored by leading industry partners Synchrony and Jewelers Mutual, stand as a beacon of excellence, recognizing the jewelers who are not just creating accessories, but are shaping the future of adornment.
What Defines a CASE Award Winner? The Four Pillars of Excellence
The CASE Awards are not merely a beauty contest for jewels; the acronym itself encapsulates the four core tenets of a masterpiece: Creativity, Artistry, Style, and Excellence. To secure a coveted first-place position, a piece must excel in every one of these areas.
A panel of judges, a veritable who’s who of the jewelry world, was tasked with the formidable challenge of selecting the winners. Their evaluation was a multi-faceted process, weighing each submission on a scale of four critical attributes:
- Overall Design: Does the piece present a cohesive, compelling, and harmonious aesthetic? Is it visually stunning from every angle?
- Marketability: Beyond its beauty, does the piece have commercial appeal? Does it align with current trends while possessing a timeless quality that will resonate with today’s discerning consumer?
- Originality: Does the design break new ground? Does it offer a fresh perspective, a novel use of materials, or an innovative technique that sets it apart from the crowd?
- Quality of Manufacture: Is the craftsmanship impeccable? The judges examine the fine details—the precision of the settings, the polish of the metal, the seamlessness of the construction—to ensure the piece is built to last a lifetime.
“With the CASE Awards celebrating the 35th annual design competition, it was exciting to see the outpouring of incredible entries from our Jewelers of America members across the country,” said JA spokesperson Amanda Gizzi in a heartfelt statement. “We know that our members have incredible talent, and they continually deliver breathtaking jewelry to their clients. We are proud to celebrate their remarkable achievements and the brilliance they bring to the world of fine jewelry.”
The Esteemed Panel: A Jury of Industry Luminaries
To ensure the highest standards of judging, Jewelers of America assembled a panel of seven experts, each bringing a unique and seasoned perspective to the evaluation table. The 2025 judges included:
- Amanda Gizzi: As a key spokesperson for Jewelers of America, Gizzi has her finger on the pulse of the industry’s latest trends and talents.
- Brecken Branstrator: An influential voice from GemGuide, Branstrator brings a deep knowledge of gemstones and market dynamics.
- Tanya Dukes: A celebrated writer and editor, Dukes possesses a keen eye for narrative and style in jewelry design.
- Michelle Graff: The editor-in-chief of National Jeweler, Graff offers an authoritative perspective on what makes a piece newsworthy and commercially significant.
- Marisa Perry: An acclaimed designer and owner of Marisa Perry Atelier, Perry provides the invaluable insight of a fellow creator who understands the intricacies of design and production.
- Adrianne Sanogo: A GIA Graduate Gemologist and a representative of the Black in Jewelry Coalition, Sanogo champions diversity, inclusion, and technical gemological expertise.
- Amina Sorel: As the founder of Amina Sorel Fine Jewelry, Sorel brings a contemporary curatorial eye and an understanding of the modern luxury client.
And the 2025 Winners Are…
The competition is segmented into two primary divisions—Retailer and Supplier—which are further divided by the retail value of the pieces. This structure ensures that jewelers of all scales, from local artisans to large-scale manufacturers, have a platform to shine. The winners not only receive a beautifully crafted trophy but also gain invaluable local and national media exposure, solidifying their reputation as leaders in the field.
Here are the brilliant first-place winners of the 2025 Jewelers of America CASE Awards:
Retailer Winners: Masters of the Craft
The Retailer categories celebrate the exceptional work of jewelers who are on the front lines, interacting directly with clients and creating bespoke or curated pieces for their communities.
- Retailer: Jewelry up to $2,500
Winner: TIE
Lester Lampert of Lester Lampert, Inc., in Chicago, IL, was recognized for a stunningly intricate design that showcased masterful technique within an accessible price point.
Scott Gauthier of Gauthier Jewelry in Scottsdale, AZ, earned his award with a piece that exemplified modern elegance and innovative use of materials, proving that high style doesn’t always require a high price tag. - Retailer: Jewelry $2,501 to $5,000
Winner: Lisa McConnell of Lamon Jewelers in Knoxville, TN. McConnell’s winning creation captivated judges with its perfect balance of classic appeal and contemporary flair, featuring a vibrant gemstone arrangement that was both artful and highly wearable. - Retailer: Jewelry $5,001 to $10,000
Winner: Scott Gauthier of Gauthier Jewelry in Scottsdale, AZ. Securing his second win, Gauthier presented a bold and sculptural piece in this category. It was a testament to his signature style, demonstrating a confident command of form and a daring approach to design that pushed conventional boundaries. - Retailer: Jewelry $10,001 to $50,000
Winner: Joseph De/Santis of De/Santis Designs in Troy, MI. De/Santis wowed the panel with a true showstopper. This piece was a symphony of rare gemstones and precious metal, meticulously crafted into a design that was both opulent and exquisitely detailed, representing the height of luxury craftsmanship.
Supplier Winners: Innovators of the Industry
The Supplier categories honor the designers and manufacturers who create the spectacular pieces that stock the showcases of retailers across the nation. These winners are often the trendsetters, driving the industry forward with their vision and production excellence.
- Supplier: Jewelry up to $2,500
Winner: Michael Endlich of Pave Fine Jewelry in Berkeley, CA. Endlich’s design stood out for its organic and textural quality. It was a piece that felt both ancient and modern, featuring unique finishes and a thoughtful composition that made it an undeniable work of art. - Supplier: Jewelry $2,501 to $5,000
Winner: Raja Muzaffar of Multigem, Inc., in New York, NY. Muzaffar’s entry was a celebration of color. The design masterfully combined a kaleidoscope of gemstones in a harmonious and eye-catching arrangement, demonstrating a profound understanding of gemology and color theory. - Supplier: Jewelry $5,001 to $10,000
Winner: Pamela Froman of Pamela Froman Fine Jewelry in Los Angeles, CA. Known for her signature “Crushed” texture, Froman delivered a piece that was both romantic and powerful. Her winning design featured a luscious mix of colored gems and diamonds set in her distinctively finished gold, creating a look that was instantly recognizable and utterly desirable. - Supplier: Jewelry $10,001 to $50,000
Winner: Zoltan David of Zoltan David Fine Jewelry in Austin, TX. David’s creation was a masterpiece of engineering and artistry. Famed for his metalworking innovations and use of inlay, his winning piece was likely a breathtaking display of technical prowess, combining different precious metals and gems in a way that seemed almost impossible, yet resulted in seamless beauty.
The Enduring Impact of a CASE Award
Winning a CASE Award is more than just a moment of glory; it is a career-defining achievement. For these talented jewelers, it is a powerful validation of their hard work, their artistic integrity, and their dedication to excellence. The recognition elevates their brand, builds trust with clients, and opens doors to new opportunities. The accompanying media exposure places their work in the national spotlight, introducing their unique vision to a broader audience of collectors, connoisseurs, and future customers. In a competitive market, a CASE Award is a trusted mark of distinction that signals to the world: this is a designer at the top of their game. As we celebrate the 2025 winners, we are not just celebrating individual pieces of jewelry; we are celebrating the enduring spirit of creativity that fuels this vibrant industry and ensures its brilliant future.
