Couture Design Awards 2016 Round-Up:

June 14, 2016

By Katerina Perez

6 min read

Another Couture exhibition in Las Vegas – the only event of its kind that emphasises on jewellery design – has come to its end. It is accompanied by the Couture Design Awards jewellery contest where participants ‘fight’ for the best jewellery design in different categories. To receive a Couture Design Awards means to gain ​the ​recognition of ​professionals from the ​jewellery industry​as well as the public (there is a special ‘People’s Choice’ category). Each year, about 200 contestants compete for the award by presenting their most intriguing jewellery pieces to the panel comprising five ​elite ​judges.

This year, the winning designs were selected by the multiple award-winning jeweller Arun Bora from Arunashi. Other judges who assessed the designs were Adam Glassman, Creative Director of O-The Oprah Magazine, jeweller and gemmologist John Green, American journalist Rachel Garrahan and Soraya Cayen, owner of the multi-brand Cayen Collection boutique. I can imagine how difficult it was for the panel to make their choice, as each piece submitted at the competition was beautiful and special in its own way. However, the best work in each category has already been selected and the results of the competition have been announced. Here are the winners and runner-ups of the Couture Design Awards

Best in Bridal

Winner: Polly Wales // 1st Runner Up: John Apel; 2nd Runner Up: Kataoka Jewelry & Objects d’art

Winner: Polly Wales // 1st Runner Up: John Apel; 2nd Runner Up: Kataoka Jewelry & Objects d’art

Best in Colored Gemstones Above 20K

Winner: Selim Mouzannar // 1st Runner Up: K. Brunini Jewels; 2nd Runner Up: Lydia Courteille

Winner: Selim Mouzannar // 1st Runner Up: K. Brunini Jewels; 2nd Runner Up: Lydia Courteille

Best in Colored Gemstones Below 20K

Winner: Tomasz Donocik // 1st Runner Up: Inbar; 2nd Runner Up: Roule & Co.

Winner: Tomasz Donocik // 1st Runner Up: Inbar; 2nd Runner Up: Roule & Co.

Best in Diamonds Above 20K

Winner: Stephen Webster // 1st Runner Up: Exstravaganze by Labor & Co.; 2nd Runner Up: Roberto Demeglio

Winner: Stephen Webster // 1st Runner Up: Exstravaganze by Labor & Co.; 2nd Runner Up: Roberto Demeglio

Best in Diamonds Below 20K

Winner: Yannis Sergakis Adornments // 1st Runner Up: Qayten; 2nd Runner Up: J. Jewels Milano

Winner: Yannis Sergakis Adornments // 1st Runner Up: Qayten; 2nd Runner Up: J. Jewels Milano

Best in Gold

Winner: Imogen Belfield // 1st Runner Up: Elena Votsi; 2nd Runner Up: Shaill Jhaveri

Winner: Imogen Belfield // 1st Runner Up: Elena Votsi; 2nd Runner Up: Shaill Jhaveri

Best in Haute Couture

Winner: Nikos Koulis // 1st Runner Up: Vhernier; 2nd Runner Up: Neha Dani

Winner: Nikos Koulis // 1st Runner Up: Vhernier; 2nd Runner Up: Neha Dani

Best in Innovative

Winner: Silvia Furmanovich // 1st Runner Up: Pesavento; 2nd Runner Up: Deakin & Francis

Winner: Silvia Furmanovich // 1st Runner Up: Pesavento; 2nd Runner Up: Deakin & Francis

Best in Pearl

Winner: Mizuki // 1st Runner Up: Riviere & Co.; 2nd Runner Up: Paul Morelli

Winner: Mizuki // 1st Runner Up: Riviere & Co.; 2nd Runner Up: Paul Morelli

Best in Platinum

Winner: Kuwayama // 1st Runner Up: Isabelle Fa ; 2nd Runner Up: Alishan

Winner: Kuwayama // 1st Runner Up: Isabelle Fa ; 2nd Runner Up: Alishan

Best in Silver

Winner: Anthony Lent // 1st Runner Up: Annie Fensterstock; 2nd Runner Up: Nancy Newberg

Winner: Anthony Lent // 1st Runner Up: Annie Fensterstock; 2nd Runner Up: Nancy Newberg

Best in Debuting

Winner: Kavant & Sharart // 1st Runner Up: Roule & Co.; 2nd Runner Up: Neha Dani

Winner: Kavant & Sharart // 1st Runner Up: Roule & Co.; 2nd Runner Up: Neha Dani

Editor’s Choice Award

Winner: Tomasz Donocik // 1st Runner Up: Nancy Newberg; 2nd Runner Up: Vhernier

Winner: Tomasz Donocik // 1st Runner Up: Nancy Newberg; 2nd Runner Up: Vhernier

People’s Choice Award

Winner: Anita Ko // Finalist: Jorg Heinz; Finalist: Schaffrath

Winner: Anita Ko // Finalist: Jorg Heinz; Finalist: Schaffrath

Mauro Felter: Jewellery Interpretations Of The Natural Environment

continue reading

Watches and Wonders 2025: Eight of the Most Artful Dials 

From lovers kissing on a bridge to precious animals painted in enamel or gems, this year’s watch launches included timepieces with extraordinary dials that blur the line between watchmaking and wearable art.

by Rachael Taylor

Birthday Wishes: Embracing the Power of Being Different 

Today, I want to share my thoughts on embracing your inner self and channelling all that power into your biggest passions…

by Katerina Perez

Flip the Script: Meet the Jewellers Creating Luxury Customised Watches

Jewellery designers are increasingly turning their artistic talents to the world of horology, customising luxury watches with unique embellishments that carry their personal style signatures. From reimagined Rolexes to gemstone-studded bezels, discover how jewellers are making their mark on the world of timepieces

by Rachael Taylor

Iconic Revival: Boucheron Reinvents the Serpent Bohème Jewellery

That nostalgic feeling of seeing past creations—sometimes forgotten, sometimes iconic—sparking a rush of inspiration to reimagine and breathe new life into what once was. That's exactly what Boucheron has achieved with its latest revival: the Serpent Bohème Vintage collection

by Hirshi Sujanti

Art Deco Innovation: Exploring the Iconic Van Cleef & Arpels Mystery Setting

The Mystery Setting by Van Cleef & Arpels stands out as a masterpiece of Art Deco ingenuity. As the world celebrates the centenary of Art Deco in 2025, we are taking the opportunity to spotlight one of the most technically ambitious innovations to emerge from this golden era of jewellery design

by Claire Roberts

Emerald Odyssey: Chopard Unveils its Insofu High Jewellery Collection

There's nothing quite like the thrill of a new collection unveiling. But what truly excites me isn't just the sparkle and glamour – it's when a brand takes a bold and unexpected approach. This is exactly what Chopard has done with its latest Insofu High Jewellery collection, which all started with the extraordinary 6,225-carat 'Insofu' rough emerald. Let's take a closer look at the creations that have emerged from this incredible mineral specimen

by Hirshi Sujanti

Watches and Wonders 2025: The Best Jewellery Watches 

From diamond-drenched serpents to enamelled blooms and secret talismans, these new jewellery watches unveiled in Geneva embody the artistry, emotion and extravagance of high jewellery watchmaking for women

by Rachael Taylor

Refined Character: The Ancient-Meets-Modern Allure of Dionysios Fine Jewels

The Dionysios signature is all about warm, soulful jewellery that’s characterful without being overtly historical or too starkly modern. Let’s take a closer look at some of the brand’s highlights…

by Katerina Perez

Blinded by the Light: The April Birthstone Through the Lens of Diamond Pavé

Let's consider pieces that showcase this method of craftsmanship in all its sparkling glory…

by Katerina Perez

Love Language: Introducing the Expressive Creations of Zome Jewellery

For designers like Meghna Biswas, the woman behind Zome Jewellery in the United Arab Emirates, the process of transforming coloured gemstones and precious metals into beautiful creations is an ever-evolving love language

by Katerina Perez

Diamond Garden: Creating Digital Delights with AI Artist Anastasia Rogozhina

Take a look and consider the incredible feats that artificial intelligence can achieve in empowering creativity and broadening our minds

by Katerina Perez

100 Years of Art Deco: Top 10 Pieces of Art Deco Jewellery Sold at Auction

From the legendary Van Cleef & Arpels Jarretière bracelet worn by Marlene Dietrich to a striking aigrette that was once part of the Al Thani collection, all the pieces below are infused with the fearless originality of the Jazz Age

by Claire Roberts

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Century of Splendour:Louis Vuitton Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds Chapter II

Creative Director Francesca Amfitheatrof offers her unique interpretation of a pivotal period in France’s history, marked by the French Revolution, the Napoleonic era, and the rise of industrialism

by Sarah Jordan

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

Writing Adventures:Co-Authoring the Book

Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.