The winners of the Awards would have been announced at a gala event in Sydney in October. Preparations for the Awards were 'temporarily paused' in March due to the strain the virus placed on many jewellery businesses.
In a statement, Diamond Guild Australia said, “The extensive and ongoing impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in Australia has had far reaching consequences for all members of the retail jewellery industry and as such the Guild believes that cancelling the planned Awards is the most appropriate response to the current situation.
"Diamond Guild Australia remains committed to this highly anticipated national competition which has been the most important showcase of Australian diamond jewellery design talent since 2005.”
The Awards were previously postponed in 2017 in order to avoid scheduling conflicts with the Jewellery Design Awards and the JAA Australasian Jewellery Awards.
Melissa James, executive officer Diamond Guild Australia, confirmed that the Guild intends to hold the biennial Awards in May 2021, with entries opening next March.
“It is our hope that, once the worst of this crisis is behind us, the next Diamond Guild Awards will inspire the talented artisans of the Australian industry to look forward to a bright and creative future,” she said.
“We recognise this crisis has had an unfathomable impact on members of the Australian retail jewellery industry and wish to extend our ongoing support and encouragement to our fellow jewellers and designers over the coming months,” James added.
Further information on the 2021 Diamond Guild Australia Jewellery Awards will be released in September.
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