Tapper’s Hypes Its Private Label Collection With a Design Contest



The winning designer plans to pursue a full-time jewelry career

Tapper’s Diamonds & Fine Jewelry, based in West Bloomfield, Mich., cooked up a clever way to promote its private label bridal collection—while simultaneously engaging local jewelry fans and would-be designers.

The retailer announced its first-ever Rock Her World Design Contest in the spring, calling for original ring designs from Michigan-based artists to be manufactured as part of Tapper’s Rock Her World collection, which showcases diamonds cut with 81 facets to produce more sparkle. 

“Hundreds” of people entered the contest, according to the retailer, and the submissions were judged on overall design, originality, marketability, and practicality/wearability.

On Dec. 8, Tapper’s announced the winning designer—Sterling Heights, Mich., resident Michelle Cacovic, who dreamt up a three-stone 14k white gold engagement ring with a 1.25 ct. center stone flanked on four sides by round-cut diamonds. 

A marketing director by day, Cacovic has been designing jewelry as a hobby since she was 13 years old. Her winning design, which has since been named Danika (each style in the collection is named after a star), has already been manufactured and will be sold (starting at $6,999) at Tapper’s locations in the Michigan towns of Novi, Troy, and Bloomfield. Cacovic’s reward was $500 and an invitation to apprentice with jewelers at the company—which she does plan to accept. 

Steven Tapper, vice president and lead designer of Tapper’s Diamonds & Fine Jewelry, said in a statement, “Michelle is a talented young designer, and we’re thrilled to have her work showcased at Tapper’s.”

“Seeing my design manufactured is truly a dream come true,” says Cacovic. “I’m thrilled to have this opportunity with Tapper’s and can’t wait to pursue my passion designing jewelry as a career.”

Above: the winning design in Tapper’s Rock Her World Design Contest (photo courtesy of Tapper’s)

 
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