Events & Awards

CPAA Opens 13th Annual Pearl Design Competition for Entries

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.

20220714_IPDC.jpg
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 Latest

Juell Kadet, former executive vice president of Rogers & Hollands
MajorsDec 08, 2025
Juell Kadet, a ‘Lifelong Pillar’ of Rogers & Hollands, Dies at 96

Kadet, a 1994 National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame inductee, helped grow the family-owned retailer in the Chicago area and beyond.

Lumia 2 smart earrings
TechnologyDec 08, 2025
You’ve Heard of Smart Watches and Rings; Meet Smart Earrings

Billed as the world’s smallest wearable, Lumia Health’s new smart earrings have a health tracker subtly embedded in the back.

Lionheart Wildflower Double Cocktail Ring
TrendsDec 08, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Celebrating December’s Birthstones

Don’t let those with December birthdays feel blue. Help them celebrate their month with blue zircon, turquoise, and tanzanite.

Recipients Collage 2025 - NJ (1872 x 1050 px) (1872 x 1052 px).png
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow Today

How Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.

Robinson Pelham Tsar Star Earrings in Blaze
CollectionsDec 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s ‘Tsar Star’ Earrings

The new pink sapphire version of the piece dances with its wearer in the brand’s “Icons After Dark” holiday campaign.

Weekly QuizDec 04, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Pantone 11-4201 Cloud Dancer
TrendsDec 05, 2025
Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2026 Is … White

A choice that’s generated a lot of commentary, Pantone says “Cloud Dancer” marks a fresh start and encourages relaxation and creativity.

Stuller holiday 2025
MajorsDec 05, 2025
Stuller Releases ‘Wrapped in Wonder’ Campaign

The manufacturer’s holiday campaign features a gift guide filled with trending designs and jewelry that can be personalized.

roseco-catalog.png
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line Catalog

Roseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.

Fabergé x 007 Octopussy egg and pendant
CrimeDec 04, 2025
Man Arrested After Allegedly Swallowing Fabergé Egg Pendant

The man was charged with theft, accused of ingesting the necklace while in a jewelry store in Auckland, New Zealand.

Exterior of renovated and expanded J.R. Dunn Jewelers
IndependentsDec 04, 2025
Step Inside JR Dunn Jewelers’ Giant New Store

The Florida independent expanded its store from 8,000 to 14,000 square feet, fulfilling the vision of its late co-founder, Jim Dunn.

DD-Email-Image-1872x1052 (1).jpg
Supplier BulletinDec 04, 2025
Introducing Shop Natural Day: A New Movement Celebrating Natural Diamonds

Sponsored by De Beers Group

G-Shock DWN5600 Ring
WatchesDec 04, 2025
Casio Shrinks its G-Shock Watch

The classic 5600 series G-Shock has been scaled down to about a tenth of its size, becoming a fully functioning watch ring.

Miley Cyrus and Maxx Morando Engagement Ring
TrendsDec 03, 2025
Miley Cyrus Debuts Edgy Engagement Ring

Fellow musician Maxx Morando proposed to the star with a chunky, cushion-cut diamond ring designed by Jacquie Aiche.

Costco store
Policies & IssuesDec 03, 2025
Costco Joins Growing Wave of Retailers Suing for Tariff Refunds

The retailer, which sells billions in fine jewelry and watches, is suing the Trump administration and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

Shoppers in a mall
SurveysDec 03, 2025
A Record 202.9M Shoppers Turned Out Thanksgiving Weekend

Black Friday is still the most popular shopping day over the five-day holiday weekend, as per the National Retail Federation’s survey.

Faberge The Winter Egg
AuctionsDec 03, 2025
Fabergé’s 'The Winter Egg' Achieves Record $30M

The historic egg, crafted for Russia's ruling family prior to the revolution, was the star of Christie’s recent auction of works by Fabergé.

Vera Wang Love lab grown diamond engagement ring
FinancialsDec 02, 2025
Signet Jewelers’ Q3 Sales Up Amid Continued Focus on Lower Price Points

The retailer offered more fashion jewelry priced under $1,000, including lab-grown diamond and men’s jewelry.

Briony Raymond holding Briony Raymond Eau De Parfum
CollectionsDec 02, 2025
Briony Raymond Introduces First Fragrance

The eau de parfum is held in a fluted glass bottle that mirrors the decor of the brand’s atelier, and its cap is a nod to its “Sloan” ring.

The Finsch diamond mine in South Africa, owned by Petra Diamonds Ltd.
SourcingDec 02, 2025
Petra Diamonds Elevates Interim CEOs to Permanent Status

Vivek Gadodia and Juan Kemp, who’ve been serving as interim co-CEOs since February, will continue to lead the diamond mining company.

Lee Krombholz, Michael Coan, Donna DeLucia, Joanna Joy Seetoo
MajorsDec 02, 2025
Lee Krombholz Takes Over as Chair of MJSA Education Foundation

In addition, a slate of new officers and trustees were appointed to the board.

Retail Jewelers Organization logo
IndependentsDec 02, 2025
RJO Welcomes Its 1,200th Retail Member

Witt’s Jewelry in Wayne, Nebraska, is the organization’s new milestone member.

Gemologist, geologist, and editor Brendan M. Laurs
SourcingDec 02, 2025
Brendan Laurs Honored With 2025 Bonanno Award

Laurs is the editor-in-chief of Gem-A’s The Journal of Gemmology and an expert on the formation of colored gemstone deposits.

Empress Eugénie pearl and diamond tiara
CrimeDec 01, 2025
Fourth Man Charged in Louvre Jewelry Heist

The man, who has a criminal history, is suspected of being the fourth member of the four-man crew that carried out the heist.

Van Cleef & Arpels zipper necklace Christies
AuctionsDec 01, 2025
Christie’s Presents ‘Splendor & Style’ Collection

The single-owner collection includes one of the largest offerings of Verdura jewels ever to appear at auction, said Christie’s.

Lustig Jewelers employees in store
IndependentsDec 01, 2025
Lustig Jewelers’ New Owner Is a Fellow Chicago Jeweler

Michael Helfer has taken the reins, bringing together two historic Chicago jewelry names.

Retrouvaí Classic Diamond Domino Necklace and Kwiat Entwine Platinum and Diamond Drop Earrings
MajorsDec 01, 2025
PGI Debuts Platinum-Filled Holiday Gift Guide

The guide features all-new platinum designs for the holiday season by brands like Harwell Godfrey, Ritani, and Suna.

Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsNov 26, 2025
Movado CEO Talks Tariffs, Growing Interest in Accessible Luxury Watches

During its Q3 call, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed the deal to lower tariffs on Swiss-made watches, watch market trends, and more.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy