PodcastsJan 12, 2026
The latest poscasttest
Events & AwardsAug 09, 2016
WJA recognizes 2014 ‘Diva’ design winners
The Women’s Jewelry Association has announced the winners of its 2014 Diva Design Competition, a contest that encourages any and all women to express their creativity through jewelry design.
The competition is open to all women, even those not employed in the jewelry industry or who possess no formal training.
Winners were honored at the WJA’s In the Spotlight event, held March 5 at the Hearst Tower in New York City, received a $250 cash award and a trophy.
The Diva Design Competition is comprised of two categories. Division 1-Gem Diva is the WJA-sponsored category of the AGTA Spectrum Awards, honoring female designers and their accomplishments with colored gemstone designs.
Division 2-Dazzle Diva allows two-dimensional entries to choose from, including photographs of actual jewels, CAD/CAM renderings, and detailed hand-drawn renderings, allowing for a wide range of designers to enter the contest whether or not they could afford to manufacture the jewelry. The theme of the category this year was the WJA’s 30th anniversary.
Division 1 winners are as follows:
-- Deirdre Featherstone, bridal wear;
-- Annie Fensterstock, business/day wear;
-- Erica Courtney, classical; and
-- Jennifer Rabe-Morin, evening wear.
Division 2 winners were:
-- Emanuela Duca, business/day wear;
-- Stephanie Occhipinti, evening wear; and
-- Leila Tai Shenkin, bridal wear.
Honorable mentions also were awarded in the second division to Jung Min Kim in business/day wear, Shinka Kimura in evening wear, and Sun Hyang Ha in bridal wear.
RELATED CONTENT: WJA recognizes its ‘Shining Stars’ for 2014
The judges for division 1 were Lorraine DePasque, writer and jewelry expert; Candy Edelman, COO of Alex Sepkus; Tara Silberberg of The Clay Pot in Brooklyn, N.Y.; and Jennifer Heebner, fashion editor of JCK magazine.
The judges for division 2 were Meeling Wong of Meeling Wong & Associates; Heebner; Talya Cousins, jewelry writer and stylist; Jennifer Gandia of Greenwich Jewelers; and Hannah Connorton, senior editor of National Jeweler.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s LifeCommercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’? Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
