The 2016 Jewellery Design and Manufacturing Championships (JDMC) is an initiative organised by the Young Jewellers Group (YJG), with the support of International Jewellery Fair (IJF) organiser Expertise Events.
The competition, now in its second year, is said to provide Australian and New Zealand jewellers with the chance to showcase their manufacturing skills while competing against fellow industry participants.
It is loosely modelled on the US Bench Pressure Challenge held in Chicago and requires participants to complete a number of manufacturing techniques within a set timeframe before a live audience at the IJF.
Ewen Ryley, who co-founded YJG with Brett Low, explained the organisers learned a lot about the general running of the event from the inaugural competition that was held in 2015.
“We’ve got quite a few different tasks [compared with last year] that the competitors will be doing,” Ryley commented.
“And this year we have a spot right in the centre of the fair, which will be quite exciting because it will attract a lot of interest.”
When asked why jewellers should consider entering, Ryley said the competition not only provided contestants with an opportunity to have “fun” but also challenge themselves in a unique format.
“It’s a chance to test yourself in a pressure situation and you can really push yourself and take yourself to another level.
“Trying to come up with something on the spot can really test your abilities so if you want to be tested then it’s a great competition to enter because it’s all in a live format.”
Spotlight on apprentices
Ryley said the organisers had also decided to open a category for apprentices in 2016 following high levels of interest.
“We didn’t do it the first year because we didn’t have much call for it but this year we can fill the category straight away with the apprentices that want to do it,” he added.
In addition to the apprentice category, the competition will comprise a jeweller, setter, CAD technician and hand engraver category.
A pool of $10,000 in cash and prizes is available for the winners, although how much will be allocated to specific categories has not been finalised.
The IJF will be held from Saturday 27 August to Monday 29 August at the
Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island.
The deadline for applications is Friday 15 July.
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