Abbeville's Melancon's Jewelers sweeps Louisiana Jewelry contest

At this year’s 2014 convention for Jewelers of Louisiana, Richard Melancon of Abbeville swept the overall jewelry design competition with his custom piece named “Angelic”
“Angelic” first started with the purchasing of the major component, a 2.00 carat unnamed diamond... Yes, “unnamed” because it is the combination of two cutting processes; an emerald and trillion cut.
First the center is definitely from an emerald cut diamond with the classic straight lines, however the ends transition into a beautiful trillion cuts with the sparkling faceting. This seamless transition makes for a dynamic combination. “This spectacular diamond was unlike anything that I have ever seen before. I purchased it in Antwerp, Belgium on our diamond buying trip,” Melancon said.
Then the sketching process starts with Richard Melancon drawing out a preliminary design that was tweaked into its final form on paper. However according to Richard, he had the whole design pictured in his head from the very moment he saw the diamond.
The real work started with the hand fabrication of the piece. According to Melancon, no jeweler in the state is a more gifted and talented Goldsmith than Kenneth Hardy, Melancon Jewelers in-house goldsmith/jeweler. Each piece was meticulously cut, formed, and soldered into place to make up the current design. Some times design pieces are made with computers or in wax using the lost wax process but this one was made piece by piece, hand fabricated.
From conception to completion it took approximately 54 hours of work to complete this design.
By invitation, “Angelic” will be representing Louisiana in two national design contest that will be held in New York and Atlanta, Georgia. In the past, Melancon Jewelers has been fortunate to have won at both competitions.
Melancon Jewelers is located conveniently on the bypass in Abbeville. Melancon Jewelers has been awarded by it peers in the jewelry industry “Jeweler of the Year” on three different occasions and in Abbeville voted four times “Best Jewelry Store in Vermilion Parish” They have 34 years of service to Acadiana and those loyal customers out of state.
They are located at 2423 Veterans Memorial Drive in Abbeville. For more information they can be reached at 893-1900, 1888-31 jewel or at info@Mjewelers.com. Follow them on Facebook to see their new designs & fash