NATIONAL JEWELER 27 E ach year, owners and employees of Jewelers of America member stores submit original jewelry designs to JA for consideration in the CASE Awards. Entries are divided into categories by retail price and a panel of judges then selects four winners. This year, the contest had an extra component: For the first time, the public was called upon to look at all the entries and pick their favorite for the People’s Choice award. Here are the designs picked as the top pieces in the 2017 CASE Awards. —Compiled by Ashley Davis This jellyfish pendant took home the prize for best piece of jewelry under $2,000. It was created entirely in-house and by hand by Sharon Curtiss-Gal of The Gem Vault in Flemington, New Jersey. The pendant features an Ethiopian opal weighing a little over 2 carats, set in 14-karat white gold and accented with pavé -set round diamonds and prong-set diamonds throughout the jellyfish tentacles. It retails for $1,900. UP TO $2,000 CASE STANDS FOR CREATIVITY, ARTISTRY, STYLE AND EXCELLENCE IN JEWELRY DESIGN, AND THIS YEAR’S WINNERS EXHIBIT ALL THESE TRAITS. The award for the $2,001 to $5,000 category went to David White of Aucoin Hart Jewelers in Metairie, Louisiana. The entirely hand-fabricated earrings display two 8.5 mm pearls, 0.6 carats of round sapphires and 0.43 carats of round, brilliant-cut diamonds, all set in 18-karat white gold. The earrings are priced at $3,950 retail. $2,001 TO $5,000