Bend artists win national jewelry design award

Douglas Jewelry Design is proud to announce that owner/designers Elyse and Steven Douglas have won first place in the 2014 “Gemmys” (like the Emmys but for jewelry) jewelry design competition.

Sponsored by Interweave Press’s “Jewelry Artist” magazine the “Gemmys” is open to all gem and jewelry artists in the United States and includes divisions for gem cutting and design as well as for finished jewelry.

As winners, the Douglases’ neck piece will be featured in an upcoming issue of “Jewelry Artist” magazine, as well as Interweave’s annual hardbound publication of the best in contemporary gem and jewelry art.

The stunning original design, titled “Constellation,” is based on Elyse Douglas’ concept and drawings and was hand-built in Douglas Jewelry Designs downtown Bend studio by Steven Douglas.

Fabricated in solid 14k yellow and white gold, the large abstract piece prominently features Oregon Sunstone in its various hues, some of it mined from the Douglas’ own claims in south east Oregon.

It’s interesting to note that “Constellation” was made as a private client commission and was only entered in the competition as an afterthought. “Constellation is just a larger example of the kind of work we do here every day,” says Elyse Douglas.

Douglas Jewelry Design will be celebrating the award during the February 5 th First Friday gallery walk at their Minnesota Street gallery in downtown Bend.