From diamonds and pearls to dragons and skulls, here are the winners of this year’s Couture Design Awards
The people’s choice
Julez Bryant DeCosta won the public vote with The Ghostrider in 14- and 18-karat rose, yellow and white gold. It has 13.16 carats of mixed gemstones, including topaz, sapphire and aquamarine, as well as diamonds. 
Best in haute couture
Nikos Koulis won with this Universe Line necklace in 18-karat white gold, featuring 5.57 carats of emerald-cut diamonds set in clear enamel with diamond surrounds.
Best in diamonds below $20k
Studio Rêves achieved victory with these earrings featuring rose-cut diamonds and blue sapphires. The total diamond weight is 7.36 carats. 
Best in debuting
Los Angeles-based jewelry designer Vram Minassian won with the Echo ring in recycled 18-karat yellow gold and sterling silver, embellished with 5.74 carats of demantoid garnets and 1.52 carats of diamonds. 
Best in innovative
In creating these Vertigo Large Cameo hoop earrings, Stephen Webster applied computer-aided design (CAD), 3D modeling and computer numerical controlled (CNC) milling to an age-old stone-dyeing technique used as the base for hard-stone cameo carving. The result is this award-winning piece in 18-karat white gold with carved monochrome agate and white diamond pavé. 
Best in diamonds above $20k
It took designer Mike Saatji of Mike Joseph Jewellery around six months to complete this necklace. Each of the spokes was handcrafted individually and attached manually to the main body. The piece contains 221 grams of gold and 39.59 carats of diamonds in total. 
The editor’s choice
Brazilian-born, London-based designer Fernando Jorge won with these Satellite earrings from his new Surround collection. They are set in 18-karat yellow gold with diamonds and mother of pearl. 
Best in platinum
A leading jewelry manufacturer in Japan specializing in machine-made chains and jewelry in gold and platinum, Kuwayama won with its Ecume platinum necklace featuring handmade crystal. 
Best in colored gemstones above $20k
Amrapali’s Emperor’s Garden brooch is a one- of-a-kind piece with a 50-carat emerald bead drop, the signature Amrapali-cut Lotus Yellow diamond, weighing approximately 4 carats, and smaller diamonds around it. 
Best in men’s
Shamballa led the men’s category with this SJ Flip cuff bracelet, which is entirely customizable. The cuff is set in 18-karat white, yellow, black and rhodinated gold and features diamonds, black diamonds, rubies and blue sapphires. 
Best in pearls
The victor in this category was the 18-karat white gold Dragon necklet by Australia-based Autore, with white and black diamonds, mother of pearl, moonstones, and South Sea Keshi pearls. The design was inspired by the Forbidden City in Beijing. 
Main image: Best in bridal
Eva Fehren’s Exploding Emerald Ring, handcrafted in blackened platinum with 1.94 carats of custom-cut white diamonds and 0.48 carats of white diamond pavé, took first place in the bridal category. Like other creations by the New York-based designer, it draws inspiration from the city and its distinct architecture, especially the Art Deco era.
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