The Jewelry Information Center announced Dec. 1 the winners of
its Gems Among Us Contest, the nationwide essay contest that recognizes the
individuals who make our world a better place.

Carlene Sperry of Maine, a seven-year breast cancer survivor
and advocate, has been chosen as the grand-prize winner.  Nearly 10,000 votes were cast for the
10 finalists during the voting period, which took place from Nov. 1-22.

Dan
Cunliffe II with Mitchell and Carlene Sperry (Photo courtesy of JIC)

Sperry was nominated in an essay written by her husband,
Mitchell Sperry. Republic Jewelry and Collectibles of Auburn, Maine, is the participating
retailer that referred Sperry to the contest. The Sperrys and Dan Cunliffe II,
owner of Republic Jewelry and Collectibles, have all won grand prizes.

Sperry won a trip for two to the Aventura Spa Palace Resort
in Riviera Maya, Mexico, courtesy of Cosmopolitan magazine. As the grand-prize
essay writer, Mitchell Sperry won a $5,000 jewelry-shopping spree at a contest participating
retailer of his choice, courtesy of GE Money. He has elected to go to his
referring jeweler, Republic Jewelry and Collectibles, for his $5,000 jewelry-shopping
spree.

To read the essays of the winners and other finalists, visit JIC.org/gemcontest.

JCK