The 2012 September Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair will see the launch of the world's first International Gem Cutting and Jewellery Design Competition
Global competition to promote gem-set jewellery
Posted May 17, 2011 | By Sonia Nair
Next year will see the launch of the world’s first International Gem Cutting and Jewellery Design Competition, to be held at UBM Asia’s September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair in collaboration with the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA).
UBM Asia and ICA finalised the agreement during the final day of the ICA congress in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 4, 2011.
While there are regional competitions recognising the talents of artists working in coloured gemstones, there had previously been no international contest.
The competition will comprise two separate aspects: gem-cutting and gem-set jewellery design.
ICA president Wilson Yuen said he hopes the international competition will unearth hidden talents around the world, give greater exposure to gem-cutters and gem-set jewellery designers, as well as help elevate gem-cutting standards worldwide through the promotion of contest categories for lapidary work.
ICA committee chairman Yehuda Kassif added, “I hope the competition will foster an international standard in coloured stone cutting, carving and gem-setting in time. At the very least, it will encourage people to think about new cuts, new shapes, new combinations and new ideas.”
He said ICA will promote the competition to participants through trade magazines, international trade shows and correspondence with jewellery design schools, bourses, national organisations like the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), as well as laboratories like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and International Gemological Institute (IGI).
Letitia Chow, director of business development for UBM Asia’s jewellery division, said the international competition was partly a response to the rise in coloured gem-set jewellery in developing consumer markets like China.
The competition is likely to attract participants from all over the world as ICA has members in more than 45 countries and UBM organises fairs in countries such as Hong Kong, China, Japan, India and Turkey.
Further details of the competition will be announced at the upcoming Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair from June 23 to 26, 2011.
The first competition will be held at the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair in September 2012.
More information: Fairs & Events