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
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
SourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing WorkersOwners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.
Weekly QuizFeb 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsFeb 27, 2026
Jewelers Mutual to Donate $10M to Savannah College of Art and DesignA 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.
CollectionsFeb 27, 2026
Renato Cipullo Turns Gold into HardstonesThe “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
AuctionsFeb 26, 2026
Noonans to Auction Lady Wardington’s JewelryThe jewelry collection belonged to “one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century,” said the auction house.
SourcingFeb 26, 2026
Anglo American CEO Gives Insight Into De Beers SaleThe update came as Anglo took its third write-down on the diamond miner and marketer, which lost more than $500 million in 2025.
ColumnistsFeb 26, 2026
Practical Ways Jewelers Can Leverage AI in 2026Emmanuel Raheb discusses the rise of “GEO” and the importance of having well-written, quality content on your website.
CrimeFeb 26, 2026
Three Sentenced in California Jewelry HeistEach received around four years for burglarizing a jewelry store and a coffee shop in Simi Valley, California, last May.
Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2026
GIA Names 2026 Jewelry Design Contest Winner, Retires Annual AwardCatherine Aulick, a GIA graduate, received the ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
TrendsFeb 25, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
SourcingFeb 25, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
EditorsFeb 25, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
PodcastsFeb 25, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
WatchesFeb 25, 2026
Private Equity Firms Write Down Value of Breitling, Report SaysThe Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2026
Rahaminov Diamonds’ New Campaign Honors Its MatriarchThe campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.
IndependentsFeb 25, 2026
Borsheims Names 2025 ‘Ike-It’ Award WinnerRachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.
Policies & IssuesFeb 24, 2026
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, New 10% Tariff Already ImposedAfter the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Sherry Smith Now Principal Partner at The Retail SmithsThe industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Yafa Signed Jewels to Open Store in MiamiThe vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.
WatchesFeb 24, 2026
Chrono24 Names New VP, U.S. General ManagerFormer Flight Club executive Jin Lee will bring his experience from the sneaker world to the pre-owned watch marketplace.
SourcingFeb 23, 2026
Designer Eddie Sakamoto, a Humble Artist, Dies at 72Sakamoto, who died in mid-January following a sudden illness, is remembered for his humility and his masterful, architectural designs.
Events & AwardsFeb 23, 2026
NYCJAOS Announces Four-Day Spring ShowThe April event will feature a new VIP shopping day requiring a special ticket.
TrendsFeb 23, 2026
Dua Lipa Is Bulgari’s New AmbassadorBulgari chose the British-Albanian singer-songwriter for her powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture, the jeweler said.
