Events & AwardsSep 18, 2024
Couture DAC Opens Applications for Next Class of MenteesEvents & AwardsOct 02, 2024
AJA’s Design Competition Now Accepting Entries
The Armenian Jewellers Association is hosting its design competition for the second year, with winners showcasing at GemGenève in May 2025.
Interested jewelers and designers of Armenian heritage should submit sketches or finished pieces by Nov. 17 to enter the competition. Five winners will be chosen and announced by Jan. 15.
Yerevan, Armenia—The Armenian Jewellers Association’s (AJA) 2024 Armenian Jewelry Design Competition is back for a second year.
AJA’s judging committee will select five winners who will be given the opportunity to showcase their winning piece in the Armenian Designers booth, which is sponsored by AJA, at GemGenève on May 18 – 11 in 2025.
The winners will also have their work highlighted in AJA’s publications and social media, along with exhibiting at the trade show in Geneva.
Interested jewelers and designers must be of Armenian heritage to enter the competition, submitting either a production-ready sketch or a finished piece of jewelry.
The sketches can be hand-drawn or rendered by any traditional drawing media or CAD.
If submitting a finished piece, it must be crafted from precious metals like gold, silver, or platinum, with or without gemstones.
A judging panel made up of independent experts in the industry will choose the competition’s five winners according to three criteria.
There is creativity and innovative design, where the judges will evaluate each piece’s market appeal, design relevance, and manufacturing practicality.
Then they will assess the technical ability of the piece, where they look at the quality of workmanship and materials, and lastly is presentation, where the judges determine if the piece has good branding and inspiration.
Related stories will be right here …
AJA’s judging committee will select five winners who will be given the opportunity to showcase their winning piece in the Armenian Designers booth, which is sponsored by AJA, at GemGenève on May 18 – 11 in 2025.
The winners will also have their work highlighted in AJA’s publications and social media, along with exhibiting at the trade show in Geneva.
Interested jewelers and designers must be of Armenian heritage to enter the competition, submitting either a production-ready sketch or a finished piece of jewelry.
The sketches can be hand-drawn or rendered by any traditional drawing media or CAD.
If submitting a finished piece, it must be crafted from precious metals like gold, silver, or platinum, with or without gemstones.
A judging panel made up of independent experts in the industry will choose the competition’s five winners according to three criteria.
There is creativity and innovative design, where the judges will evaluate each piece’s market appeal, design relevance, and manufacturing practicality.
Then they will assess the technical ability of the piece, where they look at the quality of workmanship and materials, and lastly is presentation, where the judges determine if the piece has good branding and inspiration.
The deadline to enter the 2024 Armenian Jewelry Design Competition is Nov. 17.
Judging will take place from Nov. 20 to Dec. 10, with the organization announcing its winners on Jan. 15.
Applicants can submit up to five designs. They must be in separate entry forms submitted online.
To learn more about the Armenian Jewellers Association and its design competition, email contact@aja.internatinal or visit its LinkedIn page.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
AuctionsMar 18, 2026
Collection of the ‘Severely Beautiful’ Lady Wardington Fetches $161KThe model and fashion editor’s gold evening bags were the top lots at the London sale, going for more than $25,000 each.
Weekly QuizMar 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsMar 18, 2026
Episode 3: An Interview With Jewelry Designer Johnny NelsonFresh off winning the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, Nelson discusses the ring that launched his career and his plans for the future.
SourcingMar 18, 2026
Lucara Recovers Nearly 37-Carat Blue DiamondThe “stunning” Type IIb stone was found via x-ray technology at its Karowe mine in Botswana.
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.
MajorsMar 18, 2026
Stuller Releases New Edition of Jewelry Education Book“The Basics of Jewelry” has been updated to include modern topics and visuals.
SourcingMar 17, 2026
Cruzeiro Mine Debuts ‘Winter Tourmaline’The Brazilian mine’s new collection features cabochons in soft, muted shades like silver and lilac.
TrendsMar 17, 2026
Natalie Portman Is Tiffany & Co.’s New AmbassadorThe Academy Award-winning actress stars in Tiffany & Co.’s latest commercial, which debuted Sunday night during the Oscars.
MajorsMar 17, 2026
Kering Establishes Jewelry Division, Appoints CEOThe organizational change follows Kering’s promise of a transformation after declining sales in 2025.
EditorsMar 16, 2026
2026 Oscars Jewelry: One Necklace After AnotherNatalie Francisco rounds up the top Oscars jewels, including Rose Byrne’s Taffin necklace with a more than 20-carat yellow-brown diamond.
WatchesMar 16, 2026
TAG Heuer Has a New CEOBéatrice Goasglas has been with TAG Heuer since 2018. She is the first woman to head the 166-year-old, LVMH-owned watch brand.
IndependentsMar 16, 2026
Ben Bridge Debuts New Honolulu BoutiqueThe store features the first in-store build for the jeweler’s in-house “Bella Ponte” bridal brand.
AuctionsMar 16, 2026
Bonhams Paris To Offer Antique, Signed Jewels The live fine jewelry auction will take place later this week, showcasing antique pieces, rare gemstones, and signed jewels.
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
