Revere Academy Hosts Tahitian Pearl Design Contest

San Francisco--For the second time, the Revere Academy of San Francisco hosted a Tahitian pearl jewelry design competition.

The competition was open to anyone who has been a student at Revere during its 40-year tenure.

“The talents and skills of our students are so diverse,” said the academy’s founder Alan Revere, who is set to retire. “They work in many styles and with a wide range of techniques. What made this competition so captivating was witnessing the stunning range of creative interpretation, all under the same guidelines.”

Revere, award-winning jewelry designer Sarah Graham and award-winning jeweler, designer and president of the American Jewelry Design Council Barbara Heinrich judged the competition.

William Robertson of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, earned the grand prize in the student category for his piece “Tahitian Tides,” a pendant featuring a 13 mm gray semi-baroque Tahitian pearl, Akoya pearl, 18 white diamonds and five Paraiba tourmalines, set in 18-karat yellow gold with 20-karat yellow gold details.

This year, there was also an instructor category open to past and present instructors.

Jenny Reeves of San Francisco was awarded the grand prize in this category for her hollow form pendant “Sun and Sea,” made in Argentium sterling silver, 18-karat, 22-karat and 23-karat gold with Tahitian pearl, watermelon tourmaline and a 0.07-carat “reclaimed” white diamond on stainless steel cables.

The grand prize winners received round-trip airfare to Tahiti and cash prizes from contest sponsors Black Mart Pearls and Air Tahiti Nui.

Additional prizes were awarded in two categories: student jewelry under $1,500 and student jewelry over $1,500.

For student jewelry under $1,500, Melissa Skarsten of Park City, Utah took home first prize, Cynthia Clearwater of Pleasant Hill, California won second prize and Meggie Roy of Walnut Creek, California took third place.

For student jewelry over $1,500, Karen Keit of Princeville, Hawaii was awarded both the first and second place prizes, and Jordan J. de Haan of San Francisco won third place.

The winning designs will be on view at Sofia Gallery in Mill Valley, California from Oct. 30 through Nov. 5.