As part of the 2008 JCK Las Vegas shows deliverables, top 50 Designer Jewelry Retailers were felicitated at a gala evening. The award honours those retailers who have displayed lasting excellence at selling designer jewellery. The names were voted through confidential voting amongst designers within the JCK Design Center. “Each year we look to honor this elite group of retailers who recognise the value in supporting the artistry and value in designer created jewels. The Top 50 Designer Retailers were chosen through a juried process with the Design Center exhibitors,” said Dave Bonaparte, Group Vice President, JCK Events.

JCK’s 2008 TOP 50 Designer Retailers of The Year included: Manika – San Francisco, CA (tied for 1st), The Clay Pot – Brooklyn, NY (tied for 1st), Jewelry Art – Hudson, I Gorman - Washington DC, Hamilton Jewelers – Lawrenceville- NJ, Hiller Jewelry Co. – Metairie-LA, Lux Bond & Green – West Hartford – CT, MJ La Viano – Westwood –NJ, Ware Jewelers – Auburn- AL, Tappins – Cedar Grove- NJ, Anderson Jewelers –Wellesley- MA, Bachndorfis – Dallas- TX, Bay Hill Jewelers – Orlando- FL, Borsheims – Omaha- NE, Cathy Easham Fine Jewelry – Midland- TX, Clark Jewelers – Shreveport- LA, Cynthia Ann (Whim-On-Line) – Houston- TX, Dolphin Galleries – Kahului- HI, Eiseman Jewels – Dallas- TX, Emerson & Ferrar – Redlands- CA, Fragments – New York- NY, G & H Jewelers – California- MD, George Kelly Fine Jewelry – Sedona- AZ, Graham Jewelers – Wayzata- MN, Grayson Allen Fine Jewelers – Southlake- TX, Hannoush Jewelers – West Springfield- MA, Hardy’s – Virginia Beach-VA, Leigh & Co.- Vero Beach- FL, Lily Co. – Sanibel- FL, Llyn Strong Gallery – Greenville- SC, London Jewelers – Glen Cove- NY, Macy’s – Miami- FL, Mann’s – Rochester- NY, Marios – Portland- OR, Moody’s – Tulsa- OK, Neiman Marcus – Dallas- TX, Painted Pony Gallery –Big Sky-MT, Park City Jewelers – Park City- UT, Powder and Smoke – Little Rock- AR, Reinhold Jewelers – San Juan- PR, Ruby’s Fine Jewelry – Provincetown- MA, Samuel Gordon Jewelers – Oklahoma City, Sausalito Jewelers – Sausalito-CA, Smart Jewelers – Lincolnwood, IL, Smith & Co.- Boardman- OH, Tiny Jewelry – Washington- DC, Traditional Jewelers – Newport Beach- CA, Treiber & Straub – Brookfield- WI, Trillium Fine Jewelry – Portsmouth- NH, William Travis Jewelry – Chapel Hill- NC. The first 10 in the list are winners ranking in order of award, while the following 40 are enlisted alphabetically.

A few other names were announced at the event, each honours in their respective categories. Top honors for the 2008 BEST DESIGNER RETAILER AWARD was presented to two retailers, Manika Jewelry from San Francisco, CA and The Clay Pot from Brooklyn, NY. Also designs of the JCK eight Rising Stars made a debut at the Design Centre, the designers being - Amali, Gemra AG, Ginger Peachy, Jessica DiRubio Jewelry, Jetalia, Misha of New York, Nina Basharova and Rebecca Overmann.