Jewelers of America Extends CASE Awards Deadline, Welcomes MJSA Members

Extended Entry Period for Prestigious Design Competition

Jewelers of America (JA) has announced an extension for the entry deadline for its 2026 CASE Awards, the national jewelry design competition that celebrates Creativity, Artistry, Style, and Excellence. Originally set to close on March 20, the deadline has been pushed to April 3, allowing more time for submissions.

Inclusion of MJSA Members

A significant development for this year is the expanded eligibility for the CASE Awards. The competition is now open to all employees of JA member retailers and suppliers, as well as members of the Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA). This broader participation follows an affiliation agreement signed in September, which brings MJSA under the JA umbrella.

Amanda Gizzi, senior vice president of corporate affairs at JA, expressed enthusiasm about the integration: “The CASE Awards are one of the most meaningful ways we celebrate the artistry and design excellence coming from within our membership. Now that MJSA is part of the JA family, we’re proud to welcome MJSA members into the competition and broaden the spotlight on the incredible talent across our unified organization.”

Competition Structure and Judging

The CASE Awards are divided into eight distinct categories, segmented by retail value and further split between retail members and supplier members. The categories are:

• Retail Members: Jewelry up to $5,000 retail value
• Supplier Members: Jewelry up to $5,000 retail value
• Retail Members: Jewelry $5,001 to $10,000 retail value
• Supplier Members: Jewelry $5,001 to $10,000 retail value
• Retail Members: Jewelry $10,001 to $20,000 retail value
• Supplier Members: Jewelry $10,001 to $20,000 retail value
• Retail Members: Jewelry $20,001 to $75,000 retail value
• Supplier Members: Jewelry $20,001 to $75,000 retail value

In addition to category winners, two pieces—one from a retailer and one from a supplier—will receive the coveted “Best in Show” honors.

The judging process is rigorous, comprising two stages. It begins with a virtual pre-judging round, after which finalists are invited to submit physical pieces. A panel of industry experts will then evaluate these submissions based on overall design, marketability, wearability, and quality of manufacture.

Awards and Promotion

Winners of the CASE Awards will be recognized with a customized trophy and will benefit from extensive national trade and consumer media exposure. Furthermore, JA will amplify the reach of all entrants through a dedicated social media and digital marketing campaign.

The CASE Awards are sponsored by Synchrony. For detailed entry guidelines and to submit designs, interested parties can visit JA’s website at www.jewelers.org/caseawards or contact JA Member Services at (800) 223-0673.