Events & AwardsSep 07, 2023
JA, BIJC Announce Accelerator Program for New Retailers Events & AwardsSep 08, 2023
Ethical Metalsmiths Announces Student Artist Award Winner
Maria Hammond was picked from a pool of students who exhibited their works online.
Maria Hammond of Manchester Metropolitan University has been awarded Ethical Metalsmiths’ 2023 Emerging Artist Award.
New York—Ethical Metalsmiths has recognized a promising student artist.
The organization’s education committee has announced Maria Hammond as its 2023 Emerging Artist Award Winner.
Hammond graduated this year with a Bachelor of Arts degree in product design and craft from Manchester Metropolitan University.
“I'm driven by sustainability and believe that jewelry can make a statement about our relationship with the environment,” she said in her artist’s statement.
“By using materials that go unnoticed, or go to waste, I seek to create pieces that are both beautiful and responsible, that reflect the beauty in aging and the stories that are embedded within the materials themselves.”
Hammond’s winning piece, titled “Fragments With a Future, The Collar,” is an extravagant art jewelry necklace inspired by derelict, forgotten buildings, created by carving, burning, patinating, and oxidizing steel that “[mirrors] the transformative process of time and the representation of memory in buildings and objects.”
Harsh and angular, the piece is part of a collection that transforms architectural and industrial influences into wearable art pieces.
The designer has already put her $1,000 prize money into use.
“It’s already funded a little enameling kiln, some wood turning chisels and materials,” she said.
Hammond was selected from a pool of student designers who exhibited their work in the annual “So Fresh + So Clean” online exhibition.
The Ethical Metalsmiths Student Committee, a group of graduate students at Virginia Commonwealth University, organizes the show. Applicants are student members of EM.
The student committee also chooses the competition winners, alongside an annual guest judge. This year’s guest judge was Dr. Emily Stoehrer, the Rita J. Kaplan and Susan B. Kaplan Curator of Jewelry at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
In addition to Hammond, Amy Beeler, a master’s student at Bowling Green State University, was awarded the “Juror’s Choice” award and a $500 grant, and Rashele Alradaideh, a bachelor’s student at Virginia Commonwealth University, was awarded the “Student’s Choice” award and $250 grant.
Related stories will be right here …
The organization’s education committee has announced Maria Hammond as its 2023 Emerging Artist Award Winner.
Hammond graduated this year with a Bachelor of Arts degree in product design and craft from Manchester Metropolitan University.
“I'm driven by sustainability and believe that jewelry can make a statement about our relationship with the environment,” she said in her artist’s statement.
“By using materials that go unnoticed, or go to waste, I seek to create pieces that are both beautiful and responsible, that reflect the beauty in aging and the stories that are embedded within the materials themselves.”
Hammond’s winning piece, titled “Fragments With a Future, The Collar,” is an extravagant art jewelry necklace inspired by derelict, forgotten buildings, created by carving, burning, patinating, and oxidizing steel that “[mirrors] the transformative process of time and the representation of memory in buildings and objects.”
Maria Hammond’s “Fragments With a Future, The Collar”
Harsh and angular, the piece is part of a collection that transforms architectural and industrial influences into wearable art pieces.
The designer has already put her $1,000 prize money into use.
“It’s already funded a little enameling kiln, some wood turning chisels and materials,” she said.
Hammond was selected from a pool of student designers who exhibited their work in the annual “So Fresh + So Clean” online exhibition.
The Ethical Metalsmiths Student Committee, a group of graduate students at Virginia Commonwealth University, organizes the show. Applicants are student members of EM.
The student committee also chooses the competition winners, alongside an annual guest judge. This year’s guest judge was Dr. Emily Stoehrer, the Rita J. Kaplan and Susan B. Kaplan Curator of Jewelry at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
In addition to Hammond, Amy Beeler, a master’s student at Bowling Green State University, was awarded the “Juror’s Choice” award and a $500 grant, and Rashele Alradaideh, a bachelor’s student at Virginia Commonwealth University, was awarded the “Student’s Choice” award and $250 grant.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
ColumnistsSep 11, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
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.
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
Weekly QuizSep 10, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeSep 10, 2026
FBI Offers $50K Reward for ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive in $1M Jewelry HeistAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Massive Matched Pair of Paraíba Tourmalines Head to Sotheby’sThe “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.
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.
SourcingSep 10, 2026
AGTA Announces 4 Newly Elected DirectorsFour directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Former Sotheby’s, Christie’s Exec Appointed CEO of Julien’s Auctions Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
MajorsSep 09, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Catalog Includes Its New Demi-Fine CollectionFine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
