Top Tips to Maximize Your Chances in the Jewelers’ Choice Awards

By Natalie Chomet | October 20, 2023

Don’t miss the opportunity to submit entries for the 2024 Jewelers’ Choice Awards (JCAs for those in the know). The deadline is Nov. 4.

These annual awards from JCK, voted on by retailers, are a fantastic way to showcase the pieces you’re most proud of. If you win, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that retailers around the country have given you their votes of confidence. And the Editors’ and Influencers’ Choice Awards offer additional recognition.

Best Earring Yael ceylon yellow sapphire diamond deco — Editors’ Choice winner for Earring: one-of-a-kind art deco–inspired earrings with 11.05 cts. t.w. oval Ceylon yellow sapphires, 1.58 cts. t.w. baguette diamonds, 0.08 ct. t.w. round diamonds, and 0.84 ct. t.w. melee in 18k white and yellow gold, by Yael Designs

Winners and finalists will be featured in the Best of the Best digital flip book, which lives on JCKonline year-round; it’s also promoted via email and our social media channels. (Plus, the grand-prize winner is on the Best of the Best cover.) They’ll also get JCA branding to promote their pieces and a glossy counter card to display at the JCK show or in-store. An annual story in the print issue of JCK magazine celebrates the first-place winners, just in time for the big preshow push.

Colored Stone Jewelry Michou Jewelry shades of blue larimar blue topaz necklace — Colored Stone $2,500 and Under winner: Michou for the Shades of Blue necklace in sterling silver and 22k gold vermeil with larimar, sky blue topaz, teal topaz, baby blue topaz, and white freshwater pearls

So how can you make sure you have the best chance of winning? Here are top tips from JCA marketing experts.

Choose your categories wisely

The JCAs comprise 19 categories, with price-point subcategories for each. So if you have a piece you’re particularly proud of, make sure you select the category (or categories) where it’s most likely to stand out from the crowd.

Lab Grown Meylor Global bio resin lab grown yellow diamond ring — *Influencers’ Choice winner in Lab-Grown: Meylor Global’s bio-resin ring with 0.93 ct. lab-grown fancy yellow cushion diamond*

As usual, categories are divided by metal, stone, and type of jewelry. But there are some newer categories to note as well: Gender-Neutral Jewelry and Wedding Design (which used to be confined to Bridal, but has been expanded). Lab-Grown Jewelry has been a category for a few years now, but it’s still relatively new. A newer category could have fewer entries, skewing the odds in your favor.

Take care when taking pictures

A beautiful, high-quality image of your jewel on a white background is the best way to showcase it. Does the piece look small? Is the resolution fit for print? (By that, we mean at least 8 inches by 10 inches at 300 dpi.) Is it displayed at an angle that highlights its uniqueness? The image you provide is the one impression voters will get of your piece. Make the most of it.

Best Bracelet Hearts on Fire aerial twisted dewdrop diamond bangle — *Editors’ and Influencers’ Choice winner for Bracelet: Hearts on Fire’s Aerial Twisted Dewdrop 18k white gold bangle with pear- and marquise-shape diamonds*

Activate your fan base

After you enter, you’ll receive a marketing tool kit to help you get the word out during the voting period, Jan. 15 to Feb. 9, 2024. Send emails and post on social about your entries. Companies that are good at marketing themselves tend to receive more votes.

Ready to get started? As Wayne Gretzky once said: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Go to jewelerschoiceawards.com for complete details and to submit your entries.

Top: 2023’s grand-prize winner—and also the Best Ring $5,001–$10,000 winner—was Tariq Riaz for this Qasr Al Hosn ring in 18k rose gold with 2.84 cts. t.w. diamonds and AbrazoFIT adjustable fit technology.

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