Winners of the inaugural Jewellery Design Awards (JDA) and the Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA) Australasian Jewellery Awards were announced during separate ceremonies held at the International Convention Centre on 26 August and at the Sheraton on the Park on 25 August, respectively.
The JDA competition, organised by Expertise Events and held in conjunction with the International Jewellery Fair, boasted a prize pool of more than $80,000 that was spread across multiple sponsored categories.
Each category winner was awarded a minimum prize of $2,500 in cash or category-specific product, while the overall Supreme Award Winner received two airline tickets to Baselworld next year flying business class with Etihad Airways and four nights’ accommodation, as well as a full-page advertisement in The Australian Women’s Weekly.
Yuji Satomi was crowned the overall Supreme Award Winner for his piece The Mistress of the Adriatic, which featured a black opal and was inspired by Mediterranean culture.
Earlier in the evening, Satomi won the Australian Opal Award for the interchangeable men’s tie necklace and women’s brooch that incorporated diamonds and silk rope.
Satomi was unable to attend the awards ceremony as he was in Japan at the time but said he was “delighted” when he heard the news.
“My colleagues texted me the great news when the opal design award was announced,” Satomi said.
“But the truly exciting moment was when I received another text message that told me that I also won the Supreme Award. A very, very happy moment!”
There were 105 entries, from which 59 finalists were chosen, with the judging panel consisting of Jewellery Institute of Australia (JIA) founder Gabriel Owen, Cerrone retail manager Alison Kotevski, Armaguard general manager of international operations Scott Forster and Nationwide director Barry Jackson.
A full list of the JDA winners from each category can be found below.
JAA Design Awards
The 24th edition of the JAA Australasian Jewellery Awards garnered 55 entries with 30 finalist pieces across various categories. There was also a $10,000 Career and Education Award, which required a separate entry.
The winners, decided by a judging panel including jewellers Jason Ree and Ben Preston-Black, master goldsmith Andrew Pitcairn and Najo founder Jo Tory, were named at a masquerade ball held in conjunction with the Showcase Jewellers buying group members’ dinner.
Alistair Kelsey took out the pinnacle Jeweller of the Year Award for his 1980s-inspired ring called Rapture.
Kelsey received a trip to Hong Kong to compete in the 2018 International Jewellery Design Excellence Awards courtesy of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and $1,000 prize money.
Kelsey was also awarded the top prize in the Colour Award category and said it was exciting to see the large amount of creativity that existed in the industry.
“I hope we continue to share as much knowledge with each other as we can, and keep improving the standard of Australian jewellers,” he added.
Hugh Thyregod was crowned the Apprentice/Student of the Year for his bangle called Undergrowth, which was made from sterling silver, 9-carat yellow gold and 18-carat yellow and white gold.
Marie Claire fashion editor Chloe Buttenshaw was given the task of making the Reader’s Choice Award shortlist. She selected 10 pieces from all entries received – not just finalists – and the public was then encouraged to vote for their favourite piece on the glossy magazine’s website.
Jeremy Fleming was named the winner for his platinum 18-carat rose gold ruby and diamond ring, and said it was an “amazing” feeling to be recognised throughout Australia.
Supporting industry's future
The new $10,000 Career and Education Award was developed after an anonymous benefactor donated $10,000 to the JAA earlier this year, requesting that the amount be put towards students and apprentices.
A JAA spokesperson said any student or apprentice that had entered a piece into the awards was also eligible to enter this category. Each entrant was required to write a submission that answered 10 questions about their future career and education goals.
This year’s winner Leah Straughair told Jeweller she was hoping to use the money to attend a two-week course in the US.
“I’m going over to Kansas to the GRS Training Centre to do two courses in setting and engraving,” Straughair said, noting she also planned to participate in additional courses in Europe as well as in Australia.
Staughair added she was very thankful to the anonymous donator who made the award a reality.
“I know it’s anonymous, but it’s such a beautiful thing that they’ve done and I’m so grateful.”
The winners
2017 JDA winners:
• Supreme Award – Yuji Satomi
• 1st and 2nd Year Apprentice/Student Award – Sumaya Bakker
• 3rd and 4th Year Apprentice/Student Award – Kelly Ryu
• Australian Opal Award – Yuji Satomi
• Bridal Award – Gary Thyregod
• CAD/CAM/Cast Award – Mindika Haddagoda
• Coloured Gemstone Award – Ben Preston-Black
• Diamond Award – Nicholas Theochari
• Men's Accessories & Jewellery Award – Albert Tse
• Pearl Award – Lynaire Kibblewhite
• Precious Metal Award – Jason Ree
• Fair Visitor Choice Award – Jason Ree
2017 JAA Australasian Jewellery Awards winners:
• Jeweller of the Year/Roy Worfold Perpetual Trophy – Alistair Kelsey
• Apprentice/Student Award – Hugh Thyregod
• Reader’s Choice Award – Jeremy Fleming
• $10,000 Career and Education Accolade – Leah Straughair
• 1st and 2nd Year Apprentice/Student Award – Tomomi Otobe
• 3rd and 4th Year Apprentice/Student Award – Hugh Thyregod
• Precious Metal Award – Shiree Hobson
• Colour Award – Alistair Kelsey
• Diamond Award – Gregoire Vende
• CAD/CAM/CAST Award – Roberto Mattei
• Contemporary/Non-Precious Award – Kirra-Lea Caynes
2017 JDA WINNERS GALLERY
2017 JAA Australasian Jewellery Awards WINNERS GALLERY
A full report of the design award winners will be published in Jeweller’s October issue.
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JAA Awards to be presented at buying group dinner