All posts by Mark Carson

2023 Design Contest Winners

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

Spirit of Wai - Diana Behic, Heartson Jewelry

Second Place: Stairway to Heaven - Eiko Dunster, Opal Fields

Stairway to Heaven - Eiko Dunster, Opal Fields

Third Place: Luminaire - Joshua Edelstein, Edelstein Metalsmiths

Luminaire - Joshua Edelstein, Edelstein Metalsmiths

People's Choice Co-Winner: Green Flash - Carrie Nottage Smith, Na Hoku

Green Flash - Carrie Nottage Smith, Na Hoku

People's Choice Co-Winner: Spirit of Wai - Diana Behic, Heartson Jewelry

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

Pulelehua - Carrie Nottage Smith, Na Hoku

Second Place: Illusion - Michael Nemeth, Michael Nemeth, Inc.

Illusion - Michael Nemeth, Michael Nemeth Inc.

Third Place: Olili Lehua - Diana Behic, Honolulu Jewelry Co.

Olili Lehua - Diana Behic, Honolulu Jewelry Co.

People's Choice: Kumu Nalu Bracelet - Sharon Gilbert, Lehua Jewelers

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

Lehua Vigor - Diana Behic, Heartson Jewelry

Second Place: Sakura Aloha, Eiko Dunster, Opal Fields

Sakura Aloha - Eiko Dunster, Opal Fields

Third Place: Leading Lady - David Johnson, Heartson Jewelry

Leading Lady - David Johnson, Heartson Jewelry

People's Choice: Lehua Vigor - Diana Behic, Heartson Jewelry

Lehua Vigor - Diana Behic, Heartson Jewelry

Designer of the Year 2023: Diana Behic for Lehua Vigor

2023 Designer of the Year

Diana Behic
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

Click here to view the Over $3500 entries

Click here to view the Hawaiian Theme entries

Design Contest Deadline

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/

2023 Annual Banquet and Design Contest

The HJA 2023 Annual Banquet was held on October 28th, 2023. Design Contest winners were announced at the banquet. Attendees voted for the People's Choice awards for the Design Contest pieces.

Click here to view the 2023 Design Contest winners.

Click here for the 2023 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 2023 Designer of the Year is Diana Behic - Honolulu Jewelry Company for her piece Lehua Vigor.

Lehua Virgor by Diana Behic

The Hawaii Jewelers Association Annual Banquet was 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 was Ms. Michelle Graff, Editor-in-Chief, National Jeweler magazine.

The Banquet was held on October 28th, 2023 from 5:30 to 9:30 P.M.

Look at how much fun we all had at previous Banquets:

2023 – 2024 Officers

We are pleased to announce your 2023 - 2024 Hawaii Jewelers Association Officers:

Marco Salem, President
Joshua Edelstein, Vice President
Carol Moore, Secretary
Andrew Taylor, Treasurer

And Mahalo Nui Loa to outgoing President, Sharon Gilbert who served the HJA as President for 3 years (2020 - 2023). She was our first neighbor island President and guided the Association through the difficult pandemic years. Sharon continues to serve the HJA as a Board Member.

Sharon Gilbert

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.

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: