Don Fernandes Wins National Jewelry Design Competition

Press Release

Winning Platinum Design by Don Fernandes

Don Fernandes

Vail Creek Jewelry Designs

don@vailcreek.com

(209) 667-4653

Lauren Thompson

Communications Manager

lthompson@jewelers.org

(646) 658-5817

Local Jeweler Wins National Jewelry Design Competition

California-based jeweler Don Fernandes receives award for creativity, artistry, style and excellence in jewelry design

New York, NY – Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry retail marketplace, has awarded Don Fernandes, of Turlock-based Vail Creek Jewelry Designs, a first-place award in the 2012 CASE Awards, the association’sannual jewelry design competition. Fernandes competed among more than 25 jewelers in the competition. The CASE Awards recognize the creativity, artistry, style and excellence in jewelry design from top jewelers across the nation. It was held at the JA New York trade show, January 22-24, 2012, in New York City.

“Jewelers of America is honored to recognize the exceptional talents of jewelers, like Don Fernandes, whose winning piece demonstrates the remarkable jewelry available from JA-member stores nationwide,” says JA COO Robert Headley.

Fernandes won the first-place CASE Award in the Entry Platinum category for a platinum engagement ring with a channel-set center diamond. It is accented with milligrain and 16 peek-a-boo diamonds. Approx total carat weight is .25.

Vail Creek Jewelry Designs is located at 111 E. Main Street, Turlock, CA 95380. For more information, call 209-667-4653 or visit www.vailcreek.com.

Image Credit: Direct Digital Photography.

About Jewelers of America:

Jewelers of America is the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry retail marketplace. Jewelers of America’s primary purpose is to improve consumer confidence in the jewelry industry. JA’s consumer education arm, Jewelry Information Center (JIC), has provided public relations and marketing services on behalf of the fine jewelry and watch industry since 1946. JIC’s website, JIC.org, is the source for fine jewelry and watch information. Visit www.jewelers.org and www.JIC.org for more information.