Entrants across six categories have been recognised for their “exemplary workmanship and creative integrity” by the panel of industry professionals who selected the winners to be announced on 16 October.
Interior designer Greg Natale, actress April Rose Penilly, general manager of Good Design Australia Rachel Wye and jewellery designer John Calleija made up the judging panel and were tasked with up to three shortlisting three contenders for the prizes.
The winner of each category will go on to be in the running for the Supreme Award that recognises the pinnacle of jewellery design excellence in Australia.
The winners will be announced at the Diamond Guild Australia Gala Event in Melbourne as the ceremony makes its way to Victoria for the first time. It will be the first Guild Awards since its extended hiatus after the event was postponed last year to avoid conflict with two other local design competitions.
The finalists for each category are as follows:
- Solitaire
Ben Preston-Black from Creations Jewellers
Jeff Einstein from Jeff Einstein Jewellery
Athena X Levendi from Levendi - Fancy colour
Ben Preston-Black and Wisam Sarji from Creations Jewellers
Jake Coughlan from Refraction Manufacturing Jewellers
Jodi Penfold from Jewels of the Kimberley - Diamonds for everyday
Matthew Townsley from Miraj Jewellery
Ben Preston-Black and Wisam Sarji from Creations Jewellers
Matthew Staff from MJS Jewellery - Diamonds for men
Niki Jackson from J Farren-Price
Brett Wood from Brett’s Jewellers - Red carpet
Rohan Milne from Rohan Jewellery
Mike Levendi and Burt Muller from Levendi
Olivar Musson from Musson Jewellers - Emerging talent
Leah Straughair from MDT Design
Hannah Alexander from Jewels of the Kimberley
Brock Hodgson from Stephen Dibb Jewellery
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