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The International Jewellery Fair in Sydney was highlighted by the debut of the Benchies Mystery Box Challenge, with emerging artisans testing their skills in front of onlookers against a deadline.

International Jewellery Fair 2024: Young jewellers shine in the spotlight

Posted August 21, 2024 | By Samuel Ord

The International Jewellery Fair in Sydney was highlighted by the debut of the Benchies Mystery Box Challenge, with emerging artisans testing their skills in front of onlookers against a deadline.

Across three days, 11 students from Design Centre Enmore TAFE NSW participated in a mystery box challenge, creating a piece of jewellery using a random assortment of materials.

It was a challenge reminiscent of television shows such as Master Chef, The Great British Bake Off, or Hell’s Kitchen – and just as each of these programs has proven popular with viewers, so too did the Benchies Challenge.

The ominous red countdown timer was the ‘cherry on top’, adding palpable tension to the scene as the jewellers frantically checked over their shoulders as less and less time remained.

With $5,000 in prize money up for grabs, TAFE NSW head teacher of jewellery design Gina Kind said she was rapt with the result.

“There are many ways we could expand the competition over the next few years. There have already been discussions about introducing an ‘open’ category for established jewellers, as one idea,” Kind told Jeweller.

Gina Kind, Sydney TAFE acting head jewellery teacher

"I’m impressed with how hard each competitor worked while they were in the spotlight. The students have performed beyond what was expected of them."

Gina Kind, TAFE NSW

“I’m impressed with how hard each competitor worked while they were in the spotlight. The students have performed beyond what was expected of them.”

After three busy days of work on the bench, the eventual winner was Solomon Gates, a third-year apprentice with Saffo Jewellery. Gates collected $2,500 in prize money.

Runner-up was Lachlan George, a second-year apprentice from Evan’s Manufacturing Jewellery. Joining these two on the podium was Rachael Behan, a third-year apprentice from The Little Workshop, finishing in third place.

It’s a promotion that was arranged with little notice and yet far exceeded the expectations of fair organisers Expertise Events.

“We’ve had a great deal of positive feedback about the Mystery Box challenge. Many retailers approached me at the fair to say they thought the concept was fantastic,” managing director Gary Fitz-Roy said.

“A few people approached me to say that they thought seeing a spotlight on young jewellers was great. It was important to them that someone was doing something practical to help young people make a name for themselves as they enter the industry.”

Kind echoed Fitz-Roy's sentiments and said it was an important experience for the broader jewellery industry to learn from.

“It’s a good exercise for the industry to see that people are still being trained in jewellery manufacturing and that hand-making skills are alive and well. We’re appreciative of the support from everyone around the event,” she added.

“The biggest positive for me has been how the competitors have supported each other. It might be a competition, and there’s money on the line, yet they’ve cheered each other on and taken pride in each piece of work.”