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It takes donations of broken, unwanted, or out-of-date jewelry and redistributes it into the hands of artists through jewelry-making events hosted by RJM members.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
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
IndependentsApr 16, 2026
Edge Retail Academy Updates Leadership TeamAs demand for jewelry retail coaching grows, the company has established a dedicated business coaching leadership team.
MajorsApr 16, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Mountings Catalog Is Out NowThe “Mountings 2026-2027” catalog showcases Stuller’s largest and most diverse assortment to date with more than 400 new mounting styles.
