Birmingham jeweler wins first place in prestigious national design competition

Michael Ryan Personal Jeweler, a Birmingham-based jewelry concierge company won first place in a prestigious national jewelry design competition earlier this month.

Jewelers of America (JA), a national trade association, announced Michael Ryan Personal Jeweler the first-place winner of a 2026 CASE Award in the Retailer Jewelry category, the association’s annual jewelry design competition. 

The CASE (Creativity, Artistry, Style and Excellence) Awards celebrate the best in jewelry design from JA member companies across the country. 

A panel of industry experts judged the submissions and selected winners across eight design categories and 120 entries from jewelers throughout the U.S.

“The CASE Awards celebrate the creativity and innovation that continue to shape the future of fine jewelry. This year’s honorees, including Michael Ryan Personal Jeweler, demonstrate an exceptional ability to merge technical mastery with distinctive artistic vision, creating pieces that are both deeply personal and visually compelling.” 

Amanda Gizzi, spokesperson for Jewelers of America

Michael Ryan’s 2026 CASE Award winning design

The Michael Ryan Personal Jeweler winning design, called “Gratia Sempiterna” — Grace That Lasts Forever — is a 12.63ct pink tourmaline set in 14K rose gold with 2.70 carats of diamond rondels and Akoya pearls set on a strand of pearls. 

Michael Ryan Snuggs, the owner of Michael Ryan Personal Jewelry, described to Bham Now what made the design of the award winning piece special:

“I think pearls have become in vogue. It being a three dimensional piece, kind of every angle you look at the piece, the diamonds basically wrap around as rondelles.

“The client commissioned me to make a piece that I had never done before, so that was exciting for me because I got to use my own creativity and design something that I’d never really seen on the market.”

Designing jewelry for more than 26 years

Snuggs has been in the jewelry design business for more than 26 years. As a jewelry concierge, he travels all over the southeast and country to meet with clients. About three years ago, he founded his company as a personal jeweler. 

In addition to his concierge work, Ware Jewelers in Auburn and Village Sportswear in Mountain Brook display his work.

“I love Birmingham. It’s where I was born and raised. It’s really nice to get recognized by your peers.”

Michael Ryan Snuggs