Jewelers of America has renamed its national retailer design competition. Now called The ACE Awards, the competition has more award categories and wider eligibility.

Members can now submit entries for women’s jewelry categories at a variety of price points, in addition to men’s jewelry, silver jewelry and alternative-metals categories. A panel of experienced industry judges will determine winners; pieces are judged based on overall design, marketability, practicality/wearability and quality of manufacture.

There also are more awards. Entrants will compete for first-, second- and third-place ACE Awards for each of the six competition categories; the Buyers’ Choice ACE Award for each of the six competition categories, based on votes by JA New York attendees; and the Buyers’ Choice – Best of Show ACE Award for the piece that receives the highest number of Buyers’ Choice votes.

The ACE Awards will be open to applications from all members of the national association.

JCK