The inaugural competition, announced last year by Expertise Events as part of its celebration of the International Jewellery Fair (IJF) returning to Darling Harbour, has an $80,000 prize pool and aims to support and promote Australian and New Zealand jewellers working in all areas of the trade.
Expertise Events managing director Gary Fitz-Roy said registrations closed on Friday 23 June with 105 entries received. Each entry incurred a $50 fee.
“We are thrilled with the number of entries and general enthusiasm from the industry,” Fitz-Roy stated. “It’s far exceeded our expectations and I think reflects the highest number of entries received for an industry design awards program in recent times.
“It’s also a credit to the sponsors who have sponsored every category; now for the difficult part of selecting the winners.”
As previously reported by Jeweller, there are 12 sponsored categories and entrants will be judged on areas such as relevance to the design theme, intelligent use of materials as well as presentation in a retail environment and commercial viability.
Prizes galore
Each winner will be awarded a minimum prize of $2,500 in cash or category-specific product and the overall Supreme Award Winner will receive two airline tickets to Baselworld flying business class with Etihad Airways, four nights’ accommodation to attend Baselworld as well as a full-page advertisement in The Australian Women’s Weekly.
The glossy magazine joins sponsors including Etihad Airways, Armaguard, Cosmopolitan Bride, Pandora, Paterson Fine Jewellery, Chemgold, Sams Group Australia, Cerrone, Jewellery Institute of Australia, Paspaley, Peter W Beck and Pallion.
Fitz-Roy confirmed that judges were already selected but would not be announced until the awards evening to avoid bias.
Winners will be announced at a ceremony and cocktail function held at the new International Convention Centre in Sydney on Saturday 26 August 2017.
Finalist pieces will also be displayed at the IJF, which takes place from 26 August to 28 August 2017.
JAA Australasian Jewellery Awards
Jewellery designers have been spoiled for choice this year because the JAA’s long-running Australasian Jewellery Awards is taking place as well.
The JAA’s competition also includes an overseas trip, with the Jeweller of the Year Award winner receiving an all expenses paid visit to Hong Kong to compete in the distinguished 2018 International Jewellery Design Excellence Awards.
The JAA biennial awards began in 1968 with the aim of recognising and celebrating emerging and experienced jewellery designers throughout Australia. This year’s competition marks the 24th edition – it was originally scheduled for last year but was postponed due to lack of sponsorship support.
According to the JAA website, sponsors of the 2017 JAA Australian Jewellery Awards include Chemgold, Marsh Advantage Insurance, Showcase Jewellers, Pallion, Arthur J Gallagher, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Leading Edge Group Jewellers, Australian Jewellers Supplies, Jewel Photography and mywedding.
The event in 2014 received 77 entries; however, at the time of publication the JAA was unable to provide details about the number of entries for this year’s competition or a date and location for the awards night.
More reading
Biggest jewellery comp now open; $80,000 prizes
Pallion sponsors inaugural Jewellery Design Awards
$50,000 first prize for new jewellery competition
Sydney jewellery fair supports young jewellers
JAA design awards confirmed for 2017