New Designers Prove Titanium's Promise

By Carrie Soucy, Senior Editor -- JCK Online, 9/1/2002 2:00:00 AM

In the inaugural International Titanium Jewelry Design Competition, designers created jewelry with a largely modern, high-tech style.

The contest, sponsored by the World Titanium Council, recognized four designers. The overall Grand Prize for Excellence in Design went to Kelly Liddicoat of Madison, Wis. Liddicoat's submission, titled "Circles of Strength," was a women's ring handcrafted in pure titanium with 14k gold accents to add contrast. Swirling circles of titanium and gold wire encapsulated a beautiful 10-mm Tahitian pearl. Along with the award, Liddicoat won an all-expenses-paid trip to The JCK Show ~ Las Vegas, where she met with show attendees and displayed her winning entry.

Other winners included Michael Oetting of Sterrett Fine Jewelers in Columbia, Mo., who took second place with a titanium and gold ring featuring a large center-set Chatham created sapphire. Third place went to Jodi Jaffe, of Toledo, Ohio, who submitted a unique titanium drop pendant necklace that incorporated the use of 14k white gold, neoprene black cord, and "Neon" Diamond. Honorable mention went to Christopher Paró of Littleton, Colo., and Robert Chumney of Memphis, Tenn.