The Saul Bell Design Award
The Saul Bell Design Award competition has both inspired and challenged jewelry designers around the globe for the past decade, and now in its thirteenth year, it continues to recognize artists whose work challenges traditional perceptions of jewelry design. Named for the founder of Rio Grande, the competition celebrates Saul's spirit and legacy by inviting artists and studentsto enter their most innovative creations in any of six categories: Gold/Platinum, Silver/Argentium® Silver, Beads, Metal Clay, Hollowware or Enamel. Greg Neeley is one of only 5 finalists from around the world in the Gold/Platinum category of the Saul Bell Design Awards for 2013. This honor establishes Greg as not only a world class jewelry designer but as a master gold smith as well. The final stage of the competition is judged not only on the design but the workmanship as well. Greg personally crafted this award winning design in his studio in Colorado. As you can see the design incorporates a never before seen method for setting diamonds. Each diamond is held in by only one bar over one side of the top of the stone. The placement of these bars had to be within 1/10th of a millimeter in accuracy or the stones would not set. “The vision of this design came to me in almost an instant flash as I was pondering a new way to set diamonds. I had already finished one design for the competition and the deadline was only five days away. I worked day and night for the five days and finished the design about an hour before the deadline. At that time everyone around me and including myself, was unsure if the diamonds would really set and be secure. When I won the award I had to make the ring or I would have been disqualified from the competition. The ring came together perfectly and it is a very secure setting. The Saul Bell Design Awards is known for its focus on art and the craft of jewelry making. Jewelers and Designers from around the world enter The Saul Bell Design Awards each year but only five are chosen in the Gold/Platinum category as finalists. By placing in the Saul Bell Design Awards, Greg is established as one of the most important and relevant designers and jewelers in the world.