Events & Awards

IGI Announces Third Annual Jewelry Design Contest

Events & AwardsJan 03, 2024

IGI Announces Third Annual Jewelry Design Contest

This year’s free competition has new categories and a new theme.

IGI Expression global jury panelists
IGI has announced the following professionals will make up the global jury panel for its annual IGI Expressions design competition: Helen Mao, Tania Heikal, Pradeep Jethani, Severine Ferrari, Punit Balana and Sonal Sawansukha.
New York—The International Gemological Institute has announced the third installment of its annual online jewelry design competition, open to designers globally. 

The IGI Expressions jewelry design competition is free to enter and underwritten entirely by IGI. 

This year’s contest offers new categories and a new theme, “Abstract Design With Retro Motifs,” encouraging designs that blend modern jewelry design with timeless, retro-era motifs.   

The three categories are Statement Piece, Convertible Jewelry, and Perfume Bottle or Jewelry Box. 

Designers are encouraged to draw inspiration from their everyday surroundings, such as elements in their homes, workplaces, and other areas, and may submit hand-sketched, CAD, or iPad designs. 

With a vision to recognize and honor exceptional talent within the jewelry industry, the contest invites and celebrates a diverse array of designs that embody the spirit of artistic expression, IGI said. 

 Related stories will be right here … 

“Designers provide ingenuity and creative expression to our industry and need to be recognized for their exceptional work,” said IGI CEO Tehmasp Printer. 

“We encourage all artists to participate for a chance to win one of the many titles conferred by our global panel of acclaimed jury members.”

The six judges for this year’s competition are: Punit Balana, an international fashion designer; Severine Ferrari, founder and editor-in-chief of Engagement 101 Magazine; Tania Heikal, a professional gemologist, influencer, and blogger; Pradeep Jethani, CEO of Jet Gems and a jewelry designer and producer; Helen Mao, an international jewelry consultant, jewelry author, and curator; and Sonal Sawansukha, jewelry designer and co-founder and creative director at Jewel Saga.

When submissions conclude, judging will take place over one week, and winners will be announced Feb. 20.

Nine winners will be chosen, and their designs will be manufactured. 

Winning designers also will receive an IGI Expressions Champion Trophy, Champion Certificate, 3D prints of their design, press coverage, exposure on IGI’s GemBlog and social channels, and a $500 check. (Designers in sanctioned countries will not be eligible to receive the cash prize.)

All participants will receive an official IGI Expressions participation certificate, and finalists will receive a finalist certificate and coverage on IGI’s GemBlog and social channels. 

Artists can submit designs online until Jan. 31. 

Requests for information and questions can be directed to expressions@igi.org

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