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Colored Stone’s second annual Reader’s Choice competition did not disappoint: We gave our readers and Web site visitors the chance to choose their favorite jewelry designers, and the winners are truly award-worthy. The contest finalists — nominated by our readers — were featured on Colored-Stone.com, where visitors voted on their favorite. More than 1,000 votes were cast during the final round, and although there can be only one winner, we think the runners-up deserve a nod as well:

second place: Karen Olsen Ramsey

Karen Olsen Ramsey’s shakudo pendant Athar Imbas, made of 18K and 22K gold, blue chalcedony, black opal, Mexican fire opal, diamond, and natural abalone pearl.

“I live amidst the beautiful wooded foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in northern California,” says Karen Olsen Ramsey. “Drawing inspiration from the natural environment around me, I design my jewelry with movement and flow.

“The graceful elegance of natural form lends itself perfectly to the evocative lines that I love. Dimension is important in my work, and I sculpt the metal directly through chasing and repoussé. I use shakudo and gold together for their wonderful contrasting qualities, and I choose vibrant and sensuous stones that reflect the feel of the piece and work together as a harmonious whole.

“Details are important to me, so I strive for excellence in my craftsmanship, and I design the back sides of my pieces to be as beautiful as the fronts. I set stones in hidden places, fabricate sculptural clasps, and make each chain individually.”

third place: Carol Weidman

A pair of earrings from Carol Weidman featuring a set of natural Russian turquoise stones that have been mounted in corrugated and fused gold. Photo by Ralph Gabriner.

“I have always loved jewelry art,” says Carol Weidman. “I have never liked seeing someone else wearing the exact same piece I have. Original designs should speak to one’ s heart and tell others about us.

“A strong Southwest influence started my love for turquoise and other dominant stones. From there, my predilection for designs eclectic and contemporary has led me to combine organic styling with dynamic stones. The stone dominates the flow and focus of my jewelry designs. Each stone is chosen for its radiance and distinctive color, and the jewelry is designed to complement and enhance the beauty of the stone.

“Obtaining my M.S. in biology has inspired the quest for perfection and has helped me develop the patience and diligence required to design and develop each piece until they become something special.”

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