VISION AWARDS
AMERICAN PEARL COMPANY is proud to announce that Curt & Elizabeth Parker of Curt Parker Jewelers in St. Louis, Missouri received the AWARD OF EXCELLENCE in the DISCOVERY DIVISION of the SECOND ANNUAL VISION AWARDS
AMERICAN PEARL
In order to promote and enhance the beauty of American pearls, (yes we said AMERICAN), American Pearl Company of Nashville, Tennessee, sponsored its second Annual Vision Awards. When we say American, we mean the pearls are actually found or cultivated in the United States. The Parker's choose natural American pearls. Natural pearls are created entirely by Mother Nature and come from the Tennessee and Mississippi Rivers. American Pearl Company also cultures pearls in the Tennessee River, cultured pearls are pearls that begin from a seed planted by human hands then are completed by mother nature. Designers from around the globe participated to share their creative insights and visionary talents. An awards ceremony and reception was held in Las Vegas to honor winners and all entrants. Curt And Elizabeth Parker's award winning brooch "Joyeth Bird" is created with American natural "wing" pearls. The 18kt. yellow gold hummingbird features 26 brilliant cut diamonds in the body a blue sapphire eye and natural pearl wings and tail.
Elizabeth Parker said, "When we viewed the first crop of American pearls, John Latendresss, Father of the American Cultured Pearl, could hold the total crop in the palm of one hand. Since natural pearls are so rare and American natural pearls even more rare, it took more than ten years to collect the pearls for the design. We just love the beauty of American pearls. They're just irresistible!" Curt added, "It was only natural that we used the pearls to create a hummingbird, the state bird of Tennessee, although we did not know that at the time."
AMERICAN PEARL
THIRD ANNUAL VISION AWARDS
AMERICAN PEARL COMPANY is proud to announce that Curt & Elizabeth Parker of Curt Parker Jewelers in St. Louis, Missouri received the EXCELLENCE MARKS in the ORIGINALITY CATEGORY of the THIRD ANNUAL VISION AWARDS
TITLE: BALLOONS & KITES
AMERICAN PEARL
FOURTH ANNUAL VISION AWARDS
AMERICAN PEARL COMPANY is proud to announce that Curt & Elizabeth Parker of Curt Parker Jewelers in St. Louis, Missouri received the EXCELLENCE MARKS in the BEAUTY CATEGORY of the FOURTH ANNUAL VISION AWARDS
TITLE: AMERICAN BEAUTY BROOCH
INTERNATIONAL JEWELRY DESIGN CONTEST
CURT PARKER’S "SUPERNOVA" NECKLACE OUTSHINES ALL OTHERS. ST. LOUIS – Like the exploding giant stars that light the universe, Curt Parker’s Supernova necklace shined its brightest at the American Pearl Company’s Vision Design Competition, winning the Grand Prize from more than 75 entries.
AMERICAN PEARL
Supernova is a reversible pendant featuring an American cultured "coin" pearl accented by 56 diamonds set in white gold that seem to perpetually orbit its surface. The piece is suspended from a white gold, eight-strand necklace and exudes space-age excitement.
"I was inspired by the energy this pearl created, and it came through instantly in my design," said Curt Parker.
Designers from around the globe participated in the annual competition to share their creative insights and visionary talents. Each design incorporated an American pearl, most of which are cultured in the Mississippi and Tennessee Rivers.
"Most people aren’t aware of the beautiful pearls that are cultured right here in the United States," said Elizabeth Parker, Graduate Gemologist.
An award ceremony and reception was held in Las Vegas in June to honor the winners. Curt and Elizabeth Parker were awarded $1,000 for their 1st place win in the Inspiration division of the contest, and a trip to visit the American Pearl Farm in Tennessee.
MISSOURI JEWELERS & WATCHMAKERS ASSOCIATION
NINTH ANNUAL JEWELRY DESIGN COMPETITION
ST. LOUIS - The business of glitter and sparkle glowed brightly for Curt Parker Inc. as the Missouri Jewelers & Watchmakers Association awarded Elizabeth & Curt Parker two top prizes in their ninth annual Jewelry Design Competition held in late April.
The Parkers’ romantic, diamond encrusted bow pin handmade of 14K white gold with yellow gold accents won 1st place in Category II. A third-place award in Category III was presented for the company's 18K pink and yellow gold ballerina brooch, which depicts a circle of dancers, arms entwined, each with a sparkling diamond "head." Categories represented the cost of materials used to make each piece.
Professional jewelers and goldsmiths state-wide vied for the honors, with the winners selected from 30 entrants. More than 100 MJWA members participated in the voting.
1st PLACE
3rd PLACE
CURT PARKER JEWELERS WINS
STATE PLATINUM DESIGN AWARD
ST. LOUIS - A modern woman’s need for "everyday diamonds" was the inspiration behind St. Louis jeweler Curt Parker’s contemporary platinum diamond ring which took 1st place honors at the Missouri Jewelers and Watchmakers Association annual convention in April.
The award-winning ring is a wide rectangular band burnished with square clusters of diamonds in an updated floral design. Parker, who has worked with platinum for more than 20 years said, "nothing enhances the sparkle of diamonds like platinum."
The contest included 34 design entries from across the state that were judged for their
creativity and innovation, originality of the design, salability, wearability and workmanship.
Platinum is known for its elegant beauty, purity, rarity and strength. Consumer demand for platinum has risen more than 700% in the past five years, according to Platinum Guild International. Because of its durability, it has always been a popular choice for bridal couples worldwide.
CURT PARKER RECEIVES EXCELLENT MARKS
LAS VEGAS – Curt Parker’s "Alien Nation" set of brooches received honors from The American Pearl Company's Vision Awards pearl design competition.
This design is a set of three brooches. The heads are made from American cultured coin pearls inlaid with rubies. The bodies are 14kt white gold with diamond accessories (belt, shield, and sash). They look as if each Alien has a job to do, one to see the future, one to light the way, and one to claim the planet.
"The aliens have an enormous amount of energy," said Parker. "I was inspired to create the design after seeing the pearls, they're so beautiful it's like something out of this world " he added.
The contest included design entries from across the United States that were judged for their creativity and innovation, originality of the design, salability, wearability and workmanship.
READERS CHOICE AWARD
BEST OF THE WEB
Curt Parker Jewelers wins Readers Choice Award for Best of the Web. GemKey magazine honors the industry's top websites.
Best of the Web: Readers' Choice Awards So you thought some of our award-winners didn't deserve it? We figured you might, so we let visitors to our website cast their own votes. Curt Parker Jewelers top 50 in the world.
SIGNITY 2000
CURT PARKER FINALIST FOR COLORED GEMSTONE DESIGN AWARD
ST. LOUIS - The business of color energy and emotion cast a spotlight on Curt Parker at the Colored Gemstone Design competition during the Jewelers of America Summer Show in New York.
Parker’s triangular-shaped broach is comprised of 66 rainbow colored gemstones in 14k yellow gold and platinum accented with fifteen brilliant cut round diamonds and one natural colored lilac cultured pearl. "I chose the colors to represent the synergy of color harmony," said Parker.
The exciting new competition was established by leading companies in the jewelry industry to promote original design in North America. Designers from the United States and Canada were asked to express their interpretations of fashion design and show their skills in jewelry making by creating original designs using colored gemstones. The participants consisted of 526 entrants; 217 designers, 286 manufacturers, and 23 students. All stones were set with Signity Genuine Colored Gemstones.
MARTHA STEWART
THREE RING PLATINUM DISPLAY CONTEST
Curt Parker Jewelers wins the 2008 Martha Stewart Three Platinum Ring Display Contest. The award was presented for excellence in style and creativity in execution of Platinum Guild International "Three Platinum Ring Display Contest" Award featured in Martha Stewart Wedding Winter Issue.
ST. LOUIS JEWELER TO REPRESENT STATE IN
NATIONAL JEWELRY COMPETITION
ST. LOUIS – She wears a tutu encrusted with precious gems along with a diamond tiara – and soon she will be dancing her way to New York representing Missouri jewelers in the National Design Competition sponsored by the Jewelers of America.
The graceful gold ballerina brooch, designed and created by Curt and Elizabeth Parker of Curt Parker Inc., recently won "Best of Show," at the Missouri Jewelers & Watchmakers annual Jewelry Design Competition. Top prize winners from each state and region are automatically entered in the national competition.
Ribbons of diamonds, sapphires and rubies flare across the dancer’s skirt, and a large pear-shaped ruby represents her head. In all, more than 100 glittering gemstones enhance this beautiful jewel.
Criteria for judging were craftsmanship and design. The ballerina also won 1st place in Category II. (Categories represent the cost of materials used to make each piece.) Professional jewelers and goldsmiths state-wide vied for the honors, with the winners selected from more than 25 entrants. More than 100 MJWA members participated in the voting.
ST. LOUIS JEWELER WINS
INTERNATIONAL PLATINUM DESIGN AWARD
ST. LOUIS – St. Louis jeweler Curt Parker has been named a winner in international Platinum Passion Design Competition for his platinum and diamond pendant entitled "Millenium." The contest, sponsored by the Platinum Guild International USA, included more than 500 individual platinum design entries from around the world that were judged for their creativity and innovation, originality of design, salability, wearability and workmanship.
The pendant resembles a circular flask containing a "rolling" diamond and platinum disk. Fine platinum chains flow river-like from the top of the piece, to encircle the wearer’s neck. The necklace currently is on display at Curt Parker Jewelers.
"The Millenium. pendant shows platinum to its best advantage," said Parker. "It is sleek, modern, and perfect for year 2000 and beyond." Parker added that the flowing, continuous elements of its design reminded him of time eternal -- past, present and future.
The innovative way in which the chains were attached to the pendant contributes to its unique appearance. During his 20+ year career in the jewelry industry, "I have never
seen a pendant in which the chains came out of the top of the piece," he said.
The Millenium. pendant received an honorable mention in the "Everyday Platinum" category, which highlighted sportier styles for work and play.
Platinum is known for its elegant beauty, purity, rarity and strength. Consumer demand for platinum has risen more than 700% in the past five years, according to PGI. Because of its durability, it has always been a popular choice for bridal couples worldwide.
MISSOURI JEWELERS & WATCHMAKERS ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL JEWELRY DESIGN COMPETITION
CURT PARKER WINS AWARD FOR PLATINUM PENDANT
ST. LOUIS - Curt Parker’s platinum "Ocean" pendant took 3rd place honors at the Missouri Jewelers and Watchmakers Association annual convention in April.
The award-winning design is a diamond-cut swirl of platinum set with a Tahitian black pearl nestled in a wave. "This piece flows with an enormous amount of energy," said Parker. "I was inspired to create the design after watching waves crash along the beach on a recent trip to Australia," he added.
The contest included 35 design entries from across the state that were judged for their creativity and innovation, originality of the design, salability, wearability and workmanship.
MISSOURI JEWELERS & WATCHMAKERS ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL JEWELRY DESIGN COMPETITION
LINLEE JANSEN WINS 1ST PLACE IN STATE JEWELRY DESIGN COMPETITION
ST. LOUIS - A vision and a dream inspired Linlee Jansen, designer at Curt Parker Jewelers, to create the "Destiny" pendant which took 1st place honors at the Missouri Jewelers and Watchmakers Association annual convention in April.
The award-winning design is a crescent shaped pendant, bead set with diamonds and centered with a floating round green tourmaline set in a modern cone-shaped bezel. The pendant is reversible with for an innovative tailored look in 14k white gold. "I wanted the piece to express the personality of a modern and sophisticated woman," said Jansen.
Jansen, who has been designing jewelry for less than one year said "designing this pendant and winning an award has inspired me to start designing more pieces." Curt Parker with the direction manufactured the pendant.
The contest included 35 design entries from across the state that were judged for their creativity and innovation, originality of the design, salability, wearability and workmanship.
The award-winning one-of-a-kind design sold within days of being displayed at Curt Parker Jewelers.
MISSOURI JEWELERS & WATCHMAKERS ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL JEWELRY DESIGN COMPETITION
CURT PARKER JEWELERS WINS AWARD IN DESIGN COMPETITION
ST. LOUIS - Curt Parker’s “Ice Candy” pendant took second place honors at the Missouri Jewelers and Watchmakers Association annual convention in April.
The award-winning design is a 20.40ct chisel cut Aquamarine wrapped with bands of white gold set with round Brilliant cut diamonds. It is a one-of-a-kind piece from a collection created by Parker after he discovered rare chisel cut gemstones cut by a master cutter. “These gemstones are incredibly bright and captivating,” said Parker.
Entries in the competition must be created, as well as designed, by Missouri Jewelers. The contest included entries from across the state that were judged for their creativity and innovation, originality of the design, salability, wearability and workmanship.
The Missouri Jewelers and Watchmakers Association is an advocate for professionalism and high ethical standards in the jewelry trade. Its goal is to assist all members by providing meaningful educational programs, services and recognition.