Jean Francois Bibet

Retailer Judge

Jean Francois Bibet, a native of France, embarked on his journey in the jewelry manufacturing field in 1989 as an apprentice. With a strong foundation in manufacturing High Jewelry, stone setting, design, CAD, and management, Jean Francois honed his craft in the rich traditions of French jewelry making.

In 2001, he moved to the United States, bringing his expertise to a new market. By 2004, Jean Francois joined the esteemed Richemont group at Van Cleef & Arpels (VCA), where he further developed his skills and industry knowledge.

In 2008, he transitioned to Cartier, where he took on the role of Directing the NY jewelry workshop for after-sales service and production. His extensive experience and dedication have made him a key figure in maintaining the high standards of Cartier’s renowned craftsmanship.

Sherry Bender

The Goldsmith Ltd., of Chicago

Retailer Judge

One of my earliest jobs was engraving jewelry, and that gave me a glimpse into this dazzling world. From there I moved to THE GOLDSMITH LTD a jewelry store known for producing creative work. I found my niche.  Sketching and visualizing was easy for me.  I learned the basics from the jewelers at their benches.  Intrigued by this business, I took some jewelry classes and over the years found that designing was my passion. It is so rewarding when a customer tells me their favorite piece of jewelry is one, I designed years ago.  I’m always flattered when a customer sends friends and family members to me to design that special gift. Through the years I’ve won the DeBeers Diamond and the Spectrum awards.  I crafted several pieces for Twenty Century Fox movies and currently have several jewelry pieces on display at the Driehaus Museum. I eventually purchased “THE GOLDSMITH LTD” some twenty-five years ago and never looked back. Someone once said “doing what you love is one of the greatest joys in life,” this is so true!

Suzy Landa

Suzy Landa Jewelry

Designer Judge

I grew up in Los Angeles with a passion for making pretty things out of just about anything.  The “craft closet” in my childhood home was packed with every imaginable colorful ribbon, button, bead, paint, wire and glitter; and any combination of random items from the closet could become a new piece of wearable art.

I turned my childhood passion into a business at the end of 2003 after leaving a first career in the movie industry, studying metalsmithing, and subsequently discovering that making pretty things full time could indeed become a job I loved.  My initial small collection earned me the label “Rising Star” at my very first trade show, JCK Las Vegas, 2004.

Paying homage to the minimalist design and bold colors of my 1960’s-70’s youth, my collection reflects a love of mid-century design, art and architecture:  Symmetric but soft shapes, clean lines, subtle details; statement pieces without the “fuss.”  I create jewelry that marries an old-world air with a modern flair.  An admitted, committed colored stone junkie, I fall in love with a gem and work backwards to create something that makes the centerpiece appear as though it was born there.  Reliance on warm alloys and a satin finish in order to highlight the gems rather than the metal allows those stones to take center stage. In many cases, the resulting pieces are one-of-a-kind.

My best-selling items are rings – the strength of my line.  They’re my favorite pieces to design, and maybe that shows….  Whether a collection of stacking bands or a single gemmy ring, rings are pieces the wearer can admire on her own, without looking in the mirror.  As a jewelry artist, I am as picky about the materials with which I work as I am about the craftsmanship of the finished product.  My attention to detail is evident in the work.  Staying focused on what I do best, I don’t acquiesce to market theories and alleged trends.  And never would I choose a lighter weight chain or an inferior clasp or a mediocre stone just to shave production costs or stretch margins.  I believe in the intrinsic value of my work – quality of materials, craftsmanship, artistic originality – and thankfully, clients respond favorably.

The Suzy Landa jewelry customer is a woman who favors timeless statement pieces over disposable, only temporarily “hot” ones. She is confident in her own sense of style, ignores what everyone else is buying, and knows what she loves the moment she sees it.  She expects to love her pieces in 10 years as much as she does on that first day.

Handcrafted entirely in New York City, the 18k gold, diamond, and gemstone collection is designed to be worn, not stored. It is meant for effortless elegance and easy casual wear.  Precious stones may be worn every day, bright colors can be surprisingly neutral, and diamonds…well, what are you saving them for?!

This is fine jewelry that’s fun jewelry!

Patti Norville Spector

Alfie Norville Women in Excellence Awards (ANW) Judge

Patti Norville Spector is the oldest daughter of Allan and Alfie Norville, real estate developers who founded the Gem & Jewelry Exchange (GJX) show in Tucson, Ariz., in 1994. Patti worked with her father for more than 25 years in land development, property management, leasing, bookkeeping, and office management, as well as the first year of GJX. Her mother, meanwhile, nurtured her love of gemstones and fine jewelry, which served as the impetus for establishing the show, which thousands attend each year. Patti runs GJX today, and enjoys visiting with both longtime and new exhibitors, buying jewelry, and helping VIPs find special pieces for their collections. Most recently she has been involved with the University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum, established in part to honor Alfie’s passion for jewelry and devotion to the industry.