Events & AwardsJul 22, 2021
Here Are the WJA Foundation’s 2021 Scholarship WinnersEvents & AwardsAug 23, 2021
See the Winning Piece of GIA’s Jewelry Design Competition
Students and alumni celebrated Belle Sin Ting Wong’s winning brooch in a virtual event.
The winning piece of the fourth annual Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design is this brooch from Belle Sin Ting Wong, inspired by Siamese fighting fish and featuring yellow and white gold, diamond, enamel, jadeite, pearl, and sapphire.
Carlsbad, Calif.—The Gemological Institute of America has announced the latest winner of the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
Usually unveiled early in the year during the Tucson gem shows, this year those involved gathered virtually during GIA’s “Knowledge Rocks Week: Spring Into Color” to celebrate the award given to Belle Sin Ting Wong.
More than 100 students competed in the fourth edition of the design competition, whose entries were presented in their original, hand-rendered format, accompanied by statements addressing the materials used and the inspiration behind each piece.
Nine finalists from seven GIA campuses were chosen, the works of which were then evaluated by peers, faculty, and a panel of judges.
Wong, who earned her Jewelry Design certificate at GIA Hong Kong, won with the brooch seen at the top of the article, inspired by Siamese fighting fish.
The piece features yellow and white gold, diamond, enamel, jadeite, pearl, and sapphire.
“I wanted to raise attention to environmental awareness with this piece… If we continue our toxic living habits and don’t use sustainable products, we might be very close to losing these beautiful creatures and quicken the pace of global warming,” she said.
Many of her pieces are about storytelling, GIA said, adding that she aims to make objects that represent connections with others. Her jewelry collection called “The Moment,” for example, uses children’s toys as a metaphor for building relationships through play.
The Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design was created in 2018 to recognize outstanding talent in design among GIA students.
A full interview with Wong can also be found on YouTube.
The 2021 competition is underway and open to students in GIA’s Jewelry Design courses who meet the eligibility requirements.
For more information, visit GIA.edu.
Related stories will be right here …
Usually unveiled early in the year during the Tucson gem shows, this year those involved gathered virtually during GIA’s “Knowledge Rocks Week: Spring Into Color” to celebrate the award given to Belle Sin Ting Wong.
More than 100 students competed in the fourth edition of the design competition, whose entries were presented in their original, hand-rendered format, accompanied by statements addressing the materials used and the inspiration behind each piece.
Nine finalists from seven GIA campuses were chosen, the works of which were then evaluated by peers, faculty, and a panel of judges.
Wong, who earned her Jewelry Design certificate at GIA Hong Kong, won with the brooch seen at the top of the article, inspired by Siamese fighting fish.
The piece features yellow and white gold, diamond, enamel, jadeite, pearl, and sapphire.
“I wanted to raise attention to environmental awareness with this piece… If we continue our toxic living habits and don’t use sustainable products, we might be very close to losing these beautiful creatures and quicken the pace of global warming,” she said.
Many of her pieces are about storytelling, GIA said, adding that she aims to make objects that represent connections with others. Her jewelry collection called “The Moment,” for example, uses children’s toys as a metaphor for building relationships through play.
The Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design was created in 2018 to recognize outstanding talent in design among GIA students.
A full interview with Wong can also be found on YouTube.
The 2021 competition is underway and open to students in GIA’s Jewelry Design courses who meet the eligibility requirements.
For more information, visit GIA.edu.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
Weekly QuizAug 27, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
SourcingAug 27, 2026
OFAC Renews License Allowing Import of ‘Grandfathered’ Russian Diamonds General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.
CrimeAug 27, 2026
Customs Seizes Nearly 900 Pieces of Counterfeit JewelryThe package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.
IndependentsAug 27, 2026
Jessica McCormack to Open First West Coast StoreThe new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.
FinancialsAug 27, 2026
Movado’s Q2 Sales Up As Younger Consumers Take Interest in WatchesThe fashion watch category was once threatened by the Apple Watch, but consumers are now opting for new wearables, said Movado’s CEO.
SurveysAug 26, 2026
5 Jewelry Insights From The RealReal’s Resale ReportThe report delves into trending styles, the most popular jewelry brands by city, and why Belle Époque jewelry could be the next big thing.
Lab-GrownAug 26, 2026
AGTA Now Requiring Members to Call Lab-Grown Gems ‘Synthetic’The association added the requirement to its revised "Code of Ethics" and released the 17th edition of its “Gemstone Information Manual.”
SurveysAug 26, 2026
Consumer Confidence Dips in August Amid Anticipatory Anxieties Respondents were concerned about the future of the labor market and their income as well as the rising prices of gas and groceries.
TrendsAug 26, 2026
Boucheron’s New Campaign Celebrates Its ‘Question Mark’ NecklacesThe campaign highlights the asymmetrical high jewelry necklace style that the jeweler first created in 1879.
CrimeAug 25, 2026
Florida Woman Scammed Out of $1.5M in Jewelry, Precious MetalsTwo suspects have been arrested in connection with the complex phone scam.
ColumnistsAug 25, 2026
Proof Before Purchase: The Gen Z Way to BuyIn her first column for National Jeweler, Jennifer Shaheen asks jewelers if they know how to connect with the next generation of consumers.
Events & AwardsAug 25, 2026
SSEF Opens 2026 Applications for Gemology Education ScholarshipsThe annual awards cover tuition for an on-site educational course at the Swiss lab, as well as flights and lodging.
TrendsAug 25, 2026
Brent Neale Celebrates Blackberry Farm’s Anniversary With JewelryThe jeweler partnered with the Tennessee resort to honor its 50th anniversary with limited-edition blackberry pendants and earrings.
EditorsAug 24, 2026
Q&A: Reeds Jewelers VP Genna Zimmer on 80 Years in BusinessThe third-generation jeweler shared how the North Carolina retailer is celebrating this milestone and the love story that started it all.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
Rio Grande, MetalWerx Host Argentium Silver WorkshopThe class, led by renowned metalsmith Cynthia Eid, highlighted Argentium silver as an alternative to gold amid high prices.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
JIS Miami Opens Fall 2026 RegistrationThe show is slated for Oct. 16-19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
CollectionsAug 24, 2026
Francesca Villa Honors Napoleon, His Empresses In New CapsuleThe “Empresses” capsule uses 19th-century medals depicting Napoleon, Joséphine, and Marie-Louise across five one-of-a-kind pieces.
SurveysAug 21, 2026
These Are 2026’s Hottest Retailers, Says NRFThe retailers at the top of the list offer affordable products and fun, discovery-fueled experiences.
WatchesAug 21, 2026
Bremont Names Former Vacheron Constantin Exec CMODaniel Bing was formerly the marketing director for the Americas at Vacheron Constantin.
