The JDA has been developed by International Jewellery Fair (IJF) organiser Expertise Events with the aim of encouraging and promoting Australian and New Zealand jewellers working in all areas of the trade.
Expertise Events managing director Gary Fitz-Roy said the competition had generated significant interest since it was announced in July 2016.
Fitz-Roy explained this was largely due to the fact that, unlike other most other design contests, each category winner would receive a minimum prize of $2,500 in cash or product and that the overall Supreme Award winner received two airline tickets to BaselWorld flying business class with Etihad Airways.
“I think the industry can see that this jackpot of $80,000, plus staging the event at the International Convention Centre (ICC), is fitting for the jewellery industry,” he said.
Fitz-Roy added that winners would be revealed at a ceremony held at the new ICC in Sydney on Saturday 26 August 2017.
“We have now secured the top level of the ICC with views over the Sydney harbour and city,” he stated. “It’s a fitting location and guests will be wowed by what is promised to be a slick awards ceremony followed by a cocktail party.”
Judgment day
As previously reported by Jeweller, winners will receive category-specific prizes intended to benefit a jewellery designer’s business.
The Supreme Award winner – determined by the finalist who receives the highest score – will receive two business class tickets and four nights’ accommodation to attend BaselWorld as well as a full-page advertisement in Australian Women’s Weekly.
The glossy magazine joins a list of sponsors, including Etihad Airways, Armaguard, Cosmopolitan Bride, Pandora, Paterson Fine Jewellery, Chemgold, Sams Group Australia, Cerrone, Jewellery Institute of Australia, Peter W Beck and Pallion.
Fitz-Roy said judges were already selected but, in the interest of fairness, they would not be announced until the awards evening. He believed judging should be blind both ways, explaining that designs cannot be influenced by a judge’s likes or dislikes or professional activities when the jeweller does not know their identity.
There are 12 categories and entrants will be judged on areas including relevance to the design theme, intelligent use of materials, stones and sizes as well as presentation in a retail environment and commercial viability.
Finalist pieces will be showcased at the IJF, which is scheduled to take place from 26 August to 28 August 2017.
There is no limit to the number of categories jewellers can enter; however, design entries for the JDA must be exclusively and newly created for the 2017 competition. Entries must not have been submitted to previous design competitions.
Visit the IJF website for more information.
Categories
• 1st & 2nd Year Apprentice/Student
• 3rd & 4th Year Apprentice/Student
• Australian Opal Award
• Bridal Award
• CAD/CAM/Cast Award
• Coloured Gemstone Award
• Diamond Award
• Fair Visitor Choice
• Men’s Accessories & Jewellery
• Pearl Award
• Precious Metal Award
• Supreme Award
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