Jewelers of America names 2026 CASE Awards winners across price tiers

Jewelers of America’s CASE Awards turned up a clear message for the everyday fine jewelry counter: the most compelling custom work is still the kind that can carry a wardrobe, not just a red carpet. The 36th annual competition, open only to employees of JA member companies, drew more than 120 entries across eight categories and split the field into four price tiers for both retailer and supplier competitors.

At the top of the roster, two Best in Show pieces captured the range of the market. Kennedy’s Jewelers in Blue Springs, Missouri, won the retail Best in Show with a $56,150 necklace designed by Trisha Kennedy-Thompson. The piece centers 201.64 carats of pink, green and bi-color cabochon tourmalines, then sharpens the color with 6.63 carats of diamonds. It is the kind of statement necklace that feels luxurious without relying on a single oversized center stone, and the cabochon cut gives the tourmalines a polished, tactile softness that reads as more approachable than faceted glamour.

The supplier Best in Show went to Renisis in New York, New York, for a $68,000 double-bullet diamond ring designed by Sardwell. Set in 18K yellow gold, the ring pairs rose-cut bullet diamonds with pavé diamonds and navy blue vitreous enamel. The geometry is bolder than a classic solitaire, but the scale and contrast make the design feel commercially legible: sleek enough for collectors, structured enough to influence future bridal-adjacent and fashion-forward ring design.

That mix of artistry and wearability sits at the center of the CASE program, whose name stands for Creativity, Artistry, Style and Excellence. Amanda Gizzi said the awards showcase “the incredible talent and creativity” within the Jewelers of America community and reflect both the enduring traditions and evolving direction of the jewelry industry. That framing matters because these winners do not read as museum pieces. They show where custom jewelry is still finding traction: in sculptural silhouettes, color-rich stones, and settings that deliver visual impact without abandoning daily wear potential.

Jewelers of America said winners receive customized CASE Award trophies along with national and local media coverage, and Synchrony sponsored the 2026 awards. In a year when fine jewelry buyers continue to gravitate toward pieces that feel personal but versatile, the strongest CASE winners pointed toward a market that still rewards craftsmanship, but increasingly asks for jewelry that can move from special occasion to regular rotation.