In October of 2005 Images Jewelers awarded second place in the 2005 Indiana Jewelers Association design competition, $3000 dollar and above category.

Each year the IJA selects from the best jewelers from the state of Indiana and this year we were thrilled to be awarded second place. The ruby earrings were judged on overall design, marketability, practicality, wearability, and craftsmanship. Of exceptional note was the setting of the rubies themselves and the flawless bezel surrounding them. Using a technique we have developed here in our own shop we are now confident that we can set any stone, any shape, and any durability from the most fragile emeralds to the hardest sapphires and diamonds with no fear of damaging the gemstone.

The earrings themselves feature two near flawless, richly colored, 2.01ct each, untreated Burmese rubies set in an 18kt yellow gold bezel. Each ruby is then surrounded by eight .36ct. VS1, E color, oval diamonds, for a total weight of nearly 3cts, set in 18kt white gold split bars.

Lead designer and Images Jewelers’ owner Robert Klose was thrilled that “after more than five years out of the design competition scene it was wonderful to return with such great results”. Steve Gerencser, assistant designer, stated, “as a newcomer to jewelry design competition, it was exciting to be rewarded with such a high honor in my first competition.”