Events & AwardsJul 11, 2022
BIJC’s First Design Competition Ends With a Brooklyn Bridge Proposal Events & AwardsJul 14, 2022
CPAA Opens 13th Annual Pearl Design Competition for Entries
This year’s contest again features a partnership with a retailer to showcase and sell winning designs.
The Cultured Pearl Association of America is now accepting entries for its 2022 International Pearl Design Competition.
New York—The Cultured Pearl Association of America has officially kicked off its 13th annual International Pearl Design Competition.
The goal of the contest is to create compelling new pearl jewelry designs worthy of recognition, media exposure, and possible sales, CPAA said.
The organization is encouraging emerging designers and seasoned artists alike to enter.
CPAA is now accepting submissions for this year’s contest. Entries are due by Oct. 7.
There are once again two divisions for entries: international and domestic.
Those who live outside of the U.S. will submit renderings and sketches, while those living in the United States will compete in two stages with finished jewels.
The first stage is to submit professional photographs of completed pieces in one to three different angles.
Prejudging will be based on these photos, and finalists will then be chosen. U.S. finalists will be announced on Monday, Oct. 17.
The second stage for U.S. finalists is to mail in their pieces of finished jewelry for final live judging in New York City.
U.S. entrants must be prepared to sell their piece if it becomes a finalist or winner.
Winners will be announced on Thursday, Oct. 27.
Select pieces will immediately go on display and sale at the Aaron Faber gallery in New York City.
Meanwhile, the award categories have been slightly revised for 2022.
This year, the Spotlight Award will highlight one variety of pearl—baroque shapes of both saltwater and freshwater pearls—to drive attention to the beauty and uniqueness of the different types of pearls available.
A new student award will give those still studying at a university with a jewelry arts program the chance to enter with sketches.
There is also a new Retailer’s Choice award to replace the Popularity Award, with 4,000 jewelry stores across the country choosing their favorite pieces from all U.S. finalists, including students.
Additionally, pieces considered for the Luster award—reserved for a best-selling pearl design—now must retail for under $3,000.
The Orient award, given to a jewel priced attainably for new collectors, has been discontinued.
The cost of entries is $175 for the first entry, with each additional entry costing $150 apiece.
Students pay $75 for their first entry and $50 for each additional entry; they can email JHeebner@cpaa.org for a coupon code to enter at the discounted rate.
For more information about categories, entry instructions, or complete contest details, click here.
To purchase an entry, click here.
Related stories will be right here …
The goal of the contest is to create compelling new pearl jewelry designs worthy of recognition, media exposure, and possible sales, CPAA said.
The organization is encouraging emerging designers and seasoned artists alike to enter.
CPAA is now accepting submissions for this year’s contest. Entries are due by Oct. 7.
There are once again two divisions for entries: international and domestic.
Those who live outside of the U.S. will submit renderings and sketches, while those living in the United States will compete in two stages with finished jewels.
The first stage is to submit professional photographs of completed pieces in one to three different angles.
Prejudging will be based on these photos, and finalists will then be chosen. U.S. finalists will be announced on Monday, Oct. 17.
The second stage for U.S. finalists is to mail in their pieces of finished jewelry for final live judging in New York City.
U.S. entrants must be prepared to sell their piece if it becomes a finalist or winner.
Winners will be announced on Thursday, Oct. 27.
Select pieces will immediately go on display and sale at the Aaron Faber gallery in New York City.
Meanwhile, the award categories have been slightly revised for 2022.
This year, the Spotlight Award will highlight one variety of pearl—baroque shapes of both saltwater and freshwater pearls—to drive attention to the beauty and uniqueness of the different types of pearls available.
A new student award will give those still studying at a university with a jewelry arts program the chance to enter with sketches.
There is also a new Retailer’s Choice award to replace the Popularity Award, with 4,000 jewelry stores across the country choosing their favorite pieces from all U.S. finalists, including students.
Additionally, pieces considered for the Luster award—reserved for a best-selling pearl design—now must retail for under $3,000.
The Orient award, given to a jewel priced attainably for new collectors, has been discontinued.
The cost of entries is $175 for the first entry, with each additional entry costing $150 apiece.
Students pay $75 for their first entry and $50 for each additional entry; they can email JHeebner@cpaa.org for a coupon code to enter at the discounted rate.
For more information about categories, entry instructions, or complete contest details, click here.
To purchase an entry, click here.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
Weekly QuizAug 29, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales SlumpPresident Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry BuyerFormer Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis StudentsThe jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond CutsThe singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem MineDubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income WorriesPlans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil CampaignThe Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.
IndependentsAug 26, 2025
Hinkamp Jewelers Celebrates 70 YearsThe family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-GiftingIn his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons HomeThe new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US OpenThe Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a WrapWrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary EditionThe three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry EmpireThree C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 StoresThe retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
