MajorsApr 27, 2023
BIJC Seeks Love Stories in Second Annual “Together by Design” Contest Events & AwardsApr 28, 2023
Radical Jewelry Makeover’s New Design Competition Highlights Recycled Materials
Selected designers will create jewelry using recycled and donated goods to be exhibited and judged in November.
The application window for The Rejewelry Competition is open on RJM’s website until June 1.
New York—Nonprofit Ethical Metalsmiths' outreach program Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM) has launched its first design contest, The Rejewelry Competition.
The competition is centered around RJM’s mission of encouraging jewelers to examine mining issues while making innovative jewelry from recycled sources.
Selected applicants will create a suite of jewelry from RJM’s collection of donated and recycled materials. The final creations will be exhibited in New York in November, where a winner will be announced.
The prize includes a solo exhibition at Alma’s, a “Contemporary Craft” gallery and shop in Richmond, Virginia, slotted for January 2025.
Interested designers can submit an application comprised of a resume, artist statement, five images of current works and a $15 application fee by June 1. No membership is required.
“This competition is a creative challenge for those looking to engage in the tangible redistribution of already-mined persistent raw materials full of creative potential,” RJM said.
RJM is an innovative community project aimed at creating supply chain transparency by raising awareness of the connection between mining, metalsmithing, activism, collaboration, and art.
It takes donations of broken, unwanted, or out-of-date jewelry and redistributes it into the hands of artists through jewelry-making events hosted by RJM members.
RJM membership, which includes the “RJM Toolkit” guide, is available to educational institutions, art centers, collectives, businesses, and guilds.
RJM describes its membership initiative as “both performance and event, linking recycling, reuse and collaborative work sessions with the creation of unique, innovative, handmade jewelry, concluding with an exhibition and reception.”
Designed and developed by Christina Miller and Susie Ganch, RJM is now directed by Ganch and fellow Richmond-based artist and exhibitor Kathleen Kennedy.
Related stories will be right here …
The competition is centered around RJM’s mission of encouraging jewelers to examine mining issues while making innovative jewelry from recycled sources.
Selected applicants will create a suite of jewelry from RJM’s collection of donated and recycled materials. The final creations will be exhibited in New York in November, where a winner will be announced.
The prize includes a solo exhibition at Alma’s, a “Contemporary Craft” gallery and shop in Richmond, Virginia, slotted for January 2025.
Interested designers can submit an application comprised of a resume, artist statement, five images of current works and a $15 application fee by June 1. No membership is required.
“This competition is a creative challenge for those looking to engage in the tangible redistribution of already-mined persistent raw materials full of creative potential,” RJM said.
RJM is an innovative community project aimed at creating supply chain transparency by raising awareness of the connection between mining, metalsmithing, activism, collaboration, and art.
It takes donations of broken, unwanted, or out-of-date jewelry and redistributes it into the hands of artists through jewelry-making events hosted by RJM members.
RJM membership, which includes the “RJM Toolkit” guide, is available to educational institutions, art centers, collectives, businesses, and guilds.
RJM describes its membership initiative as “both performance and event, linking recycling, reuse and collaborative work sessions with the creation of unique, innovative, handmade jewelry, concluding with an exhibition and reception.”
Designed and developed by Christina Miller and Susie Ganch, RJM is now directed by Ganch and fellow Richmond-based artist and exhibitor Kathleen Kennedy.
Applications for The Rejewelery Competition will be juried by RJM Artist Project member Sarah Parker and Alma’s owner Sarah Mizer – both Richmond-based artists.
Selected participants will be notified by June 15 and granted access to purchase RJM donation materials of gold, silver, costume jewelry and gemstones at a discounted rate until Sept. 1.
Designers will have until Oct. 15 to use the materials to create their final suite of jewelry.
In addition to the solo exhibition, the winner of The Rejewelry Competition will also be invited to join the RJM Artist Project as an ongoing participant.
The Artist Project was developed in 2014 when a small group of past participants of RJM collaborated to create a series of works from donated jewelry left over from previous donation drives. The exhibit travels across the country to host exhibitions and in 2019, a new group of artists were invited to join.
For more information or to apply for The Rejewelry Competition, visit RJM’s website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
MajorsJan 30, 2025
WJA Chapter Leaders Resign as Fallout From DEI Remarks SnowballsThe boards of at least five chapters have resigned in response to controversial statements the WJA national board president made last month.
Policies & IssuesJan 30, 2025
RJC Executive Director Melanie Grant Is Stepping Down An experienced jewelry writer and curator, Grant led the organization for two years.
CollectionsJan 30, 2025
Pharrell Williams Brings Tahitian Pearls to His New Tiffany & Co. CollectionFive new designs were added, all donning Tahitian cultured pearls and spear-like trident motifs, along with the new “Titan” setting.
Brought to you by
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Jewelry Lovers The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.
MajorsJan 30, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York Elects 5 New MembersJewelers of America’s Annie Doresca and AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr. are among the new members.
Weekly QuizJan 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJan 29, 2025
Boucheron’s High Jewelry Takes the Form of ‘Untamed Nature’The jeweler’s latest high jewelry collection looks into the Boucheron archives to create a “living encyclopedia of high jewelry.”
FinancialsJan 29, 2025
LVMH Watch, Jewelry Sales End the Year DownWatch and jewelry sales slipped 3 percent in 2024, though the luxury conglomerate did see business pick up in the fourth quarter.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday CampaignA Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
MajorsJan 29, 2025
Chanel Names New General Manager of Watches, Fine Jewelry for USOlivier Kessler-Gay will take over the role on March 3.
SurveysJan 29, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips for Second Consecutive Month It hit a four-month low in January due to concerns about the job market, though consumers remain bullish about the stock market.
SourcingJan 28, 2025
WFDB Joins Efforts to Promote Natural Diamonds With New CampaignThe “Moments” social media campaign emphasizes the emotional ties between natural diamonds and life’s special milestones.
CollectionsJan 28, 2025
Bliss Lau Celebrates the Intricate Mosaic of Identity in New CollectionThe versatile “As We Are” collection features 14 pieces with interlocking designs allowing for 27 different looks worn around the body.
SourcingJan 28, 2025
Botswana’s First Olympic Gold Medalist Is Now a De Beers Ambassador Letsile Tebogo will help to promote natural diamonds and the good they have done for his country.
Events & AwardsJan 28, 2025
NouvelleBox Show Returns to New York CityThe showcase, in its second year, will feature more than 20 international brands at its curated event from Feb. 2-4.
Recorded WebinarsJan 28, 2025
Watch: Fine Jewelry Market Predictions for 2025 “My Next Question” guests Sherry Smith and Edahn Golan share their 2025 forecasts, from sales and marketing to what retailers should stock.
Events & AwardsJan 28, 2025
Here Is the 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson Educational LineupThe seminar series covers topics from market trends and colored stone terminology to working with museums and growing an Instagram profile.
MajorsJan 27, 2025
Le Vian Corp. Chairman Larry LeVian, a Man of Faith and Family, Dies at 73 LeVian is remembered for his leadership in the jewelry industry and for being a selfless and compassionate person.
CrimeJan 27, 2025
New Jersey Jeweler Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years for Evading CustomsMonishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah pleaded guilty to evading customs on more than $13.5 million of jewelry imported into the U.S.
SourcingJan 27, 2025
Dev Shetty To Head New Auction House for Rare Colored GemsJemora Gemhouse’s inaugural auction, slated for March, will take place in Dubai and feature polished sapphires.
CollectionsJan 27, 2025
Rachel Quinn Embodies Feelings of Falling in Love in New CollectionQuinn partnered with Gemfields to create “Crazy Love,” which features Zambian emeralds and Mozambican rubies across 10 pieces.
MajorsJan 27, 2025
Arch Crown’s 2025 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is Out Now The catalog is 48 pages and features more than 100 styles.
CollectionsJan 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Ashley Zhang Jewelry’s Lunar New Year NecklaceThe one-of-a-kind necklace was designed in celebration of the Chinese New Year, as 2025 is the Year of the Snake.
SourcingJan 24, 2025
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to Tucson The gemstone show is slated to take place at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
Policies & IssuesJan 24, 2025
These Designers and Retailers Are Raising Money for LA Wildfire Relief From raffles to auctions to donations, the industry is working to aid charities in Los Angeles amid the raging wildfires.
CrimeJan 23, 2025
4 Men Arrested After Allegedly Plotting to Kidnap JewelerThe suspects are accused of planning to kidnap a Miami jeweler and rob him of his cryptocurrency.
CrimeJan 23, 2025
Security Guard Killed in Armed Robbery at Namibian Diamond Co. Francis “Gosh” Eiseb, 58, was a senior protection officer for Namib Desert Diamonds, also known as Namdia, in Windhoek, Namibia.
SourcingJan 23, 2025
RapNet, AGTA Partner to Launch Gemstone Trading NetworkThe online diamond and jewelry marketplace has expanded, introducing a new platform dedicated to colored gemstone trading.
