Artisans Bespoke Jewellers in Brisbane won the Open Prestige Jewellery Award — and $15,000 in prize money — for the Khroma piece.
Fire Bird by Otto Jewellery in Sydney received a highly commended award in the same section and also won the People’s Choice Award.
The award was judged by Gary Coffey (Giulians Fine Jewellery), Cameron Marks (Percy Marks), and Terry Coldham (Intogems).
“The winning piece, Khroma, was unique in design and meticulously crafted with a very clever use of colour gemstones to enhance the opal”, Coffey explained.
Selected entries were displayed during the Lightning Ridge Opal Festival from 24-27 July, and president Kavitha Barron was rapt with the reception for this year’s awards.
"It is always a challenge when you do something new. We revamped the awards and rationalised the jewellery categories," she said.
"We received some incredibly constructive feedback from entrants, judges and sponsors alike. The outcome is that we really got it right; however, we will be tweaking a little bit to keep improving."
Once Upon A Time by Blennerhassett Fine Jewellers (WA) won the Freeform Jewellery Award, earning $7,500 in prize money.
The Masterpiece Opal Carving was won by Katharina Zimmer for her piece Ridge Rose. Kaitlyn McWilliams was acknowledged with a highly commended for her piece Cerulean Crest.
Joe Belicka won the Freestyle Opal Carving for his piece Crystal Blossom, and Penny-Ann Clark received a highly commended award for Scallop. Clark also won the Carving Encouragement Award.
The Digital Design Award was secured by Corey Gibson with Spinner. The Jewellery Hand Sketches Award was won by Hung-lin Jenia for Golgotha, while Pauline Bai received a highly commended for Seahorses.
Designer Wear for Men was won by Dean Walker Designs from Tasmania with Outback Opal Hunters. Andrew Duncan received a highly commended for his piece Vection.
The Australian Opal Awards is organised by the International Opal Jewellery Design Awards Association, a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2000 to promote the national gemstone.
WINNERS OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPAL AWARDS 2024
 |  |  |
Khroma by Artisan Bespoke Jewellers - Winner of the Open Prestige
Jewellery Award. | Once Upon a Time by Blennerhassett Fine Jewellers - Winner of the Freeform Jewellery Award. | Outback Opal Hunters by Dean Walker Designs - Winner of Designer Wear
for Men. |
 |  |  |
Ridge Rose by Katharina Zimmer -
Winner of the Masterpiece Opal
Carving Award. | Fire Bird by Otto Jewellery - People’s Choice Award and a Highly Commended in the Open Prestige Jewellery Award. | Vection by Andrew Duncan -
Highly Commended in the Designer Wear for Men Award. |
 |  |  |
Cerulean Crest by Kaitlyn McWilliams - Highly Commended in the
Masterpiece Opal Carving Award. | Scallop by Penny-Ann Clark -
Highly Commended in the
Freestyle Opal Carving Category. | Seahorses by Pauline Bai -
Highly Commended in the Jewellery Hand Sketches category. |
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