Martha Seely Design Wins Grand Prize at 2025 INSTORE Design Awards
Martha Seely Design Wins Grand Prize at 2025 INSTORE Design Awards
Contemporary jewelry designer takes top honor across all categories with diamond Starburst earrings
CARLISLE, MA, 4 June 2025: Martha Seely Design has been awarded the Grand Prize at the prestigious 2025 INSTORE Design Awards for her extraordinary Starburst earrings, earning the competition's highest honor across all 32 categories. The winning piece exemplifies Martha's signature approach to celestial-inspired fine jewelry, transforming cosmic wonder into wearable art.
The Grand Prize-winning Starburst earrings represent exploding stars in the brilliant light of a supernova, crafted in 18-karat yellow gold and featuring 3.28 total carat weight of mixed-cut diamonds. With a retail value of approximately $13,000, the earrings showcase Martha's mastery of texture through varied stone settings including pavé, channel, and bezel techniques.
"These earrings embody my belief that every woman should feel like a star," said Martha Seely, founder and designer of Martha Seely Design. "The Starburst collection captures that magical moment of looking up at the night sky and witnessing stars bursting in air – a very American feeling of wonder and celebration."
The 2025 INSTORE Design Awards featured a distinguished judging panel of six notable jewelry store merchants and three well-known media figures, who evaluated entries through a blind voting process. This year's competition, marking the 10th anniversary of the awards, received record-breaking submissions across 32 categories.
"Entries to this year's INSTORE Design Awards are a testament to the robust creativity of the fine jewelry industry," noted the awards organizers. "Entrants were fearless in their executions of some incredible contemporary designs that are destined to become the heirlooms of tomorrow."
Martha Seely Design distinguishes itself in the fine jewelry landscape through its contemporary interpretation of cosmic themes. While celestial motifs appear throughout the jewelry industry, Martha's approach pushes boundaries with a distinctly modern, mid-century aesthetic that sets her work apart.
"I don't create celestial jewelry in the traditional way," Martha explained. "My background in contemporary design influences everything I create. While most of my work celebrates color because it brings joy, these diamond Starburst earrings prove that white diamonds can capture the essence of stars in a thoroughly modern way."
The Starburst earrings are designed for versatility, suitable for both elegant occasions and casual wear. This philosophy reflects Martha's broader design ethos of creating luxury jewelry meant to be worn and cherished, not hidden away.
The Starburst collection joins Martha Seely Design's comprehensive universe-inspired catalog, which includes pieces honoring constellations, nebulae, comets, and other cosmic phenomena. Each piece is crafted with recycled metals and ethically sourced gemstones, reflecting the designer's commitment to sustainability and responsible practices.
About Martha Seely Design
Martha Seely Design creates contemporary fine jewelry inspired by the boundless cosmos. Drawing from telescope imagery and a passion for exceptional gemstones, each piece invites wearers on a celestial journey through the universe. Martha's work has received numerous industry recognitions and is carried by select fine jewelry retailers across North America.
The designer's background spans costume design for film, television, and theater, working with notable figures including Cher and Will Arnett, before transitioning to jewelry design in 2010. Her work has been featured in leading industry publications and continues to gain recognition for its unique aesthetic and exceptional craftsmanship.