NEW YORK (Commodity Online): Finally, Rio Tinto said cheers to the winners of its champagne-diamond jewellery design competition.

Los Angeles-based jewellery designer Evelyn Huang of evelynH Jewelry Inc grabbed the top slot with her ‘Bulles de Champagne Collier (Champagne Bubbles Necklace)’, a modern piece inspired by the French period of Rococo design.

Huang has won numerous awards, including the 2009 Women’s Jewellery Association DIVA Design Competition.

The second spot went to Joana Miranda for her champagne-diamond and pearl drop earrings, dubbed the ‘Champagne Tango’ earrings.

Graham Edney took third place with his butterfly-motif drop earrings crafted of champagne diamonds and peridot. Edney specializes in one-of-a-kind couture jewellery in his Santa Barbara, Calif., studio.

Fourth place was given to Vincent Bisazza designing on behalf of Charles Koll Jewellers in San Diego for his ‘Flute’ brooch. The piece was a whimsical interpretation of the movement of champagne bubbles in a champagne flute.

According to a press note, winning the contest allows these four designers to showcase their skills to the entire US jewellery industry, including participation in nationwide retailer events.

Rebecca Foerster, manager of Rio Tinto Diamonds’ US representative office, said, “We were delighted with the level of interest in the competition from all sectors of the diamond industry and we look forward to working with the winning designers to showcase their creativity”.

A panel of industry experts judged the entries: Fern Mallis, executive director of 7th on Sixth Productions and vice president of marketing for International Management Group models and IMG fashion; W Magazine accessories and jewelry market editor Brooke Magnaghi; Jill Newman, senior style editor at Robb Report; Carol Brodie, luxury brand advisor at Carol Brodie and Co.; Victoria Gomelsky, editor-at-large for National Jeweler magazine and a writer for the International Herald Tribune; and Natural Color Diamond Association Executive Director Robert May.