The New York State Jewelers Association said more than 275 jewelry professionals attended its annual awards dinner, held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City.

The event, which was co-hosted by NYSJA and National Jeweler magazine, featured its second annual live auction with Michael Haynes of AGL/GCAL serving as the auctioneer. Items being sold included: a Yankee Dugout visit with box seat tickets to the game; a cooking class for four with Sara Moulton of Gourmet Magazine; and a game-used base signed by Derek Jeter. The silent auction, which was held during the cocktail hour, was followed by dinner, dancing and annual award presentations.

NYSJA presented awards to Agnes Campanile of Piaget for Favorite Watch Sales Representative; Arian Burtman of Judith Ripka for Favorite Jewelry Sales Representative and Theresa Seclow from Golf Digest for Favorite Advertising Sales Representative. Frank Adams Jewelers of Albany, received the award for Favorite Jewelry Store.

National Jeweler inducted Marvin Beasley of Helzberg Diamonds into its “Retail Hall of Fame” in the “Major Retailer” category.  Alfredo Molina of Molina Fine Jewelers was inducted for the “Single Store Independent” category and Michael Pollock of Hyde Park Jewelers for the “Multi-Independent” category.

NYSJA paid tribute to the “Wounded Warriors Project” by donating the proceeds from a raffle for tickets to the final game at Yankee Stadium.  NYSJA also awarded a record number of scholarships to aspiring jewelry students.

JCK