Established in 2005, the biennial competition for designers of diamond jewellery, now in its fourth session, is open to all designers working within a retail jewellery company.
Entries are judged according to criteria across five categories – Fancy Colour Award, Fancy Cut Award, Red Carpet Award, Solitaire Diamond Award and the Gents Award. The DGA has selected three finalists for each category with over 120 retail jewellers across the country invited to participate.
The DGA encourages entrants to create completely unique pieces showcasing individual creativity and only pieces featuring natural diamonds are eligible for consideration.
John Calleija, designer jeweller at Calleija Jewellers and DGA member believes this year’s entrants were of an exceptional standard, reflecting both quality design and craftsmanship.
“It was pleasing to see such a high calibre of entries, further confirming Australia has some of the best jewellers and designers in the world,” Calleija said.
A panel of five judges was tasked with selecting this year’s finalists and the five winners will be announced tomorrow, October 19, at a gala dinner in Sydney’s Hilton Hotel. A host of high profile guests are expected at the dinner, emceed by celebrity compere, Natalie Gruzlewski.
Helping Calleija decide this year’s winners were Edwina McCann, Harpers Bazaar editor; Susan Skelly, editor for Qantas’ magazine The Australian Way; fashion designer Alex Perry, and jewellery photographer David Perryman.
View all entries:Picture gallery
2011 FINALISTS
This year’s finalists selected in each of the five categories are:
Fancy Colour Award
Phisit Sakaew of Hardy Brothers Jewellers
Robert Musson of Musson Jewellers
Varouj Djevahirdjian of Varoujan Jewellers
Fancy Cut Award
Phisit Sakaew of Hardy Brothers
Nicholas Theocari of MDT Design
Olivar Musson of Mussons
Red Carpet Award
Angelo Andronis of Angelo Andronis Designer Jewellers
Berj Ohanessian of Berjani Jewellers
Cameron Marks of Percy Marks Fine Gems
Solitaire Diamond Award
Angelo Andronis of Andronis Designer Jewellers
Levon Arzumanian of Arman’s Fine Jewellery
Phisit Sakaew of Hardy Brothers
Gents Award
Nicholas Dracakis of Dracakis Jewellers
Gary Thyregod of Gary Thyregod Jewellers
Liana Coetsee of Solid Gold Jewellers