The top-performing watch models may be surprising, with Rolex and several popular pandemic-era picks notably absent from the top 20.
CPAA Accepting Submissions for Jewelry Design Contest
The Cultured Pearl Association of America has launched its annual International Pearl Design Competition and is accepting entries through Sept. 22.

Providence, R.I.--The Cultured Pearl Association of America has launched its annual International Pearl Design Competition and will accept entries through Sept. 22.
The competition, created to celebrate and recognize design excellence using cultured pearls, will be judged by a panel of jewelry industry leaders including editors, writers, buyers, craftsmen and sellers of cultured pearls.
Nine different awards will be given. They are as follows.
--President’s Trophy, the highest honor given to a design that “unanimously captivated all judges as the best of the best”
--Luster Award, given to the entry that is thought to be the “most marketable” of all entries in the competition and that has the most appeal for the retail marketplace
--Designer’s Award, given to the entry that takes pearls to the “far corners of the imagination and beyond,” meaning it displays originality
--Brilliance Award, for the entry that best shows the spectrum of pearl colors
--Orient Award, for the design that would inspire a newfound affinity for cultured pearls
--The Visionary Award, to the entry that redefines the iconic pearl strand
--Wedding Day Pearls, for creating a “fantasy wedding” with cultured pearls
--Fashion Award, for the design that is the most fun, fresh and modern
--Fantasy Award, for the best conceptual, aspirational design
Each entry can be submitted with up to five different images and/or drawings. The first costs $150, and each additional entry is $100.
Those who enter the contest will receive a one-year membership to the CPAA. Designers who make their submissions before Aug. 31 also will receive a raffle ticket that gives them a chance to win "A South Sea Adventure" trip to Bali. They will get one ticket per entry.
Winners will be announced on Nov. 1, and the winning entries will be on display at the AGTA GemFair and JCK Las Vegas shows next year.
For more information or to submit a design, visit CPAA.org.
The Latest

The “Scroll” toggle pendant, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal a hidden message, mantra, or love letter written on washi paper.

Jewelers who misinterpret the state of the jewelry market risk employing the wrong retail strategy, cautions columnist Sherry Smith.

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

In her newly expanded role, she will continue to oversee the jewelry category, as well as watches, home, and accessories.


“The Godfather II” watch plays two melodies from the mob film’s score, “The Godfather’s Waltz” and “The Godfather Love Theme.”

The Alan Hodgkinson Medal recognizes gemologists who are consistently generous with their time and expertise.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

The Swiss watchmaker is changing up its executive leadership team as part of a restructuring.

The “What’s Your Signature?” campaign invites women to think about how they see themselves.

The big diamond’s sale added to the company’s revenue though the market remains “challenging” overall, particularly for smaller goods.

The Jewelry Symposium will honor two industry veterans with lifetime achievement awards at its upcoming May event.

With their durability, brilliance, and beauty, diamonds are the perfect stone for everyday birthstone jewelry.

The retailer failed to file its annual report on time and said it may issue a going concern warning.

Smith recounts a recent trip to the post office that included an uncomfortable, embarrassing, and public exchange between two employees.

John Cowley, who has more than 30 years of experience, is succeeding Tearle as the lab’s chief financial officer.

Founder Erica Silverglide has designed 35 colorful pieces set with fluorescing gemstones for the brand's first finished jewelry offering.

“Ukrainian Jewelry | Contemporary Jewelry and Art Jewelry from Ukraine” features 33 contemporary Ukrainian designers and studios.

“The Golden Now” campaign celebrates the here and now with the brand’s signature styles and a selection of its new pieces.

Signet confirmed that Caffie, president of Zales and Banter, and Bentzen, who headed Blue Nile, have left the company.

The antique jewelry dealer talks about the importance of including Black Americans in jewelry history and preserving their stories.

Both its mines faced challenges last year, from operational issues to disruptions in the market.

Iconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.

The luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.

The NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.

The one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.

The new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.




























