HANNIBAL JEWELERS RECOGNIZED FOR DESIGN AND CREATIVITY
 
Each year Missouri Jewelers look forward to the statewide jewelry design competition sponsored by the Missouri Jewelers and Watchmakers Association, an affiliate of Jewelers of America. The competition was held in conjunction with MJWA’s 100th Anniversary Leadership Conference & Convention at the Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Missouri, May 19 – 21,  2006. Over 200 jewelers across the state are members of this association, an advocate for professionalism and high ethical standards in the jewelry trade.
 
AVA Goldworks in Hannibal received the following awards in the Design Competition:
 
Category I
BRANDY HURT
1st Place:             

“Cultured Pearl Necklace featuring a hand fabricated reversible 18K Rose and White Gold drop set with round Diamonds, Pearls, Pink Coral and Opal.”
 
This piece also won the “People’s Choice” Award, and the “BEST OF SHOW” Award. It will go on to Jewelers of America’s National Competition in February, 2007 and represent Missouri.
 
Category II
RANDALL HURT  
2nd Place:    

“Hand Formed Bracelet from cold-rolled Palladium bar stock, embellished with 24K Yellow Gold wire, set with 3 Tahitian Pearls.”

This piece also won the “CRAFTSMANSHIP AWARD”.
 
Category III
RANDALL HURT
1st Place: 

“Ladies Finger Ring in 18K Green Gold set with a cushion cut yellow Beryl and 6 enhanced yellow Diamonds.”
 
Randall Hurt has been practicing the art of jewelry making for over 32 years. Constantly refining his skills, he has become an expert in many facets of jewelry.  He passed a 36 hour practical test to become a Jewelers of America Certified Master Bench Jeweler in 2000.  He is one of only 2 J.A. Certified Master Bench Jewelers in the State of Missouri, one of 121 in the entire nation. His daughter, Brandy, is following in her father’s footsteps as his apprentice. She became an award-winning designer last year at the age of 19. Randall and Brandy won 5 out of the top 6 awards in the 2005 MJWA Annual Design Contest. Randall, along with his wife and daughter, Brandy, opened their own goldsmithing shop in Downtown Hannibal, at 211 Center Street, in 2004. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, Hannibal’s blooming arts community has provided inspiration to many, the most famous being Mark Twain.