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This year, Paspaley will be sponsoring the JDA's pearl category. Image courtesy: Paspaley

Paspaley revealed as Jewellery Design Awards sponsor

2.3 k views | Posted April 04, 2017 | By Talia Paz • Staff Journalist

Renowned pearl company Paspaley has been confirmed as a sponsor for the inaugural Jewellery Design Awards (JDA), which now has a prize pool standing at more than $80,000.

Paspaley will provide sponsorship for the JDA’s pearl category and marks the first time in approximately 10 years that the company has been involved in a local industry awards program.

Gary Fitz-Roy, Expertise Events managing director

The announcement adds to a list of high-profile businesses – such as Etihad Airways, Pandora and Cerrone – that will also support the awards.

As previously reported by Jeweller, the JDA was developed to recognise and encourage the talents of Australian and New Zealand jewellers and apprentices. The awards will be held on Saturday 26 August 2017 during the International Jewellery Fair (IJF) in Sydney.

When asked about the importance of securing support from Paspaley, Expertise Events managing director and JDA organiser Gary Fitz-Roy pointed to the company’s prominent influence on the industry.

“Paspaley hasn’t been involved in [local] awards for around a decade and yet is a very important company in the industry and has worldwide recognition – it really is fitting that we have them sponsoring the pearl category,” Fitz-Roy said.

“I believe Paspaley wants to support the industry and the use of pearls in design,” he added. “They sit alongside other high-profile names ranging from Nic Cerrone to the Australian Women’s Weekly. Their involvement underlines their commitment to support local designers and manufacturers.”

JDA details

Fitz-Roy also stated that although more than $80,000 was already obtained in sponsorship, that figure could increase as the date of the event neared.

“As a minimum, every category has a prize of $2,500 in product or cash. As we get closer [to the date] and the entries role in, I wouldn’t be surprised if some sponsors added some additional value,” he said.

The Supreme Award – awarded to the entrant who receives the highest score of all finalists – will receive two business class tickets and four nights’ accommodation to attend Baselworld courtesy of Etihad Airways and Armaguard, as well as a full-page advertisement in Australian Women’s Weekly magazine.

Fitz-Roy said the judges had already been selected but would remain ‘blind’ – or unidentified – to ensure that the entrant’s designs were based on open interpretations and don’t attempt to cater to an individual judge’s taste or business activities.

“This has been a problem with other awards competitions in the past,” Fitz-Roy stated, adding, “We want to push the boundaries and have an awards program that ensures we have the best of the market.”

Entrants will be judged on the relevance to the design theme, intelligent use of materials, stones and sizes, how the jewellery is presented in a retail environment and its commercial viability.

Finalists will be showcased at the IJF. For more information, including specific scoring criteria and terms of conditions, visit the IJF website.