For the fourth installment of its annual Platinum Innovation Awards, team members from PGI-USA announced winners in a most unexpected manner: by “Prize Patrol.”
Think of that signature Publishers Clearing House move of its Prize Patrol members showing up on a winner’s doorstep with balloons and a big check in hand. Now, replace the patrol members with a smiling, suited Huw Daniel; the check and balloons with a glass plaque; and the winner’s doorstep with his or her trade show booth. With that,you have the Platinum Guild International USA’s interpretation of the kitschy televised award presentation. Visits were captured on film and then broadcast on JCK TV, which aired on a dedicated channel at Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino as well as some surrounding hotel properties during JCK Las Vegas.
“We decided on the Prize Patrol because of the excitement it would create on the show floor,” Daniel told JCK. “Essentially, this allowed us to create 14 unique special platinum events at the show and gives the designers who work so hard to create truly innovative platinum designs their moment in the spotlight. Having JCK TV with us this year provided an extra element of excitement and allowed us to capture the candid reactions of surprise and pride on film.”
Winners of Editor’s and Buyer’s Choices were chosen in seven different design categories in addition to a Best in Show award. Winners are listed below, as are snapshots of some Prize Patrol visits.
Category: Platinum Engagement Ring
Editor’s Choice: Gabriel & Co. platinum Victorian Halo Engagement Ring, $2,055
Buyer’s Choice: Designs by Vatché platinum and diamond engagement ring, $3,200
Category: Entry Platinum Engagement Ring (semi-mounts under $2,500 retail)
Editor’s Choice: Mercury Ring Halo Twist platinum and diamond engagement semi-mount, $2,500
Buyer’s Choice: Sylvie Collection platinum and diamond floral halo engagement semi-mount, $2,170
Category: Platinum Wedding Band
Editor’s Choice: Parade Designs etched Art Deco-inspired platinum wedding band with milgrain and marquise-shaped diamonds, $5,225
Buyer’s Choice: Dora International Spartan Collection platinum men’s band with laser-edge designs, $3,289
Category: Platinum Men’s Jewelry
Editor’s Choice: Tacori platinum men’s band with milgrain details, $2,540
Buyer’s Choice: Novell platinum cufflinks, $3,144
Category: Entry Platinum Fashion Jewelry (under $3,500 retail)
Editor’s Choice: Erik Stewart platinum and colored diamond Hollein earrings, $3,500
Buyer’s Choice: Harout R. platinum and diamond Cupcake earrings, $1,859
Category: Platinum Red Carpet Jewelry
Editor’s Choice: Uni-Design Jewellery Dew Drops platinum and diamond ring
Buyer’s Choice: Lazare Kaplan 110th Anniversary platinum and diamond necklace, $883,120
Category: Platinum and Colored Gemstone Jewelry
Editor’s Choice: Simon G. platinum earrings with colorless diamonds and emerald-cut tourmaline
Buyer’s Choice: Oscar Heyman platinum, colored diamond, and unheated colored sapphire necklace, $300,000
Category: Best in Show
Simon Ghanimian of Simon G. learning he’s won the Editor’s Choice award of the Platinum and Colored Gemstone Jewelry category.
Vatché Aghjayan, designer at Designs by Vatché, accepting his award by way of PGI-USA’s Prize Patrol at JCK Las Vegas 2013.
Phyllis Bergman, CEO of Mercury Ring Corp., learning that she’s won the Editor’s Choice award in the Entry Platinum Engagement Ring category.
Sylvie Levine, designer at Sylvie Collection, accepting her award from PGI-USA’s Prize Patrol at JCK Las Vegas 2013.
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