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John Ford to keynote at opal design awards
The acclaimed designer, who works with black opals, will speak at the International Opal Jewellery Design Awards, scheduled to be held in Australia this summer.
Ford said he is the first American invited to give the keynote address at the event.
The designer’s Lightning Ridge Collection, featuring black opals accented with diamonds, has received critical acclaim from the trade. One of his pieces won platinum honors in the classical category of the American Gem Trade Association’s Spectrum Awards in 2014.
A number of his designs also were worn on the red carpet at the 2015 Academy Awards in Los Angeles, Ford said.
In addition to designing, Ford also spends time on the road, promoting black opal in the United States through trunk shows and attending trade shows. He also has traveled to the Australian town of Lightning Ridge a number of times to see the gemstones at the source.
“John Ford’s Lightning Ridge Collection is a reflection of a growing passion for opal being shared internationally to produce exquisite and unique jewelry,” said Lyn Carney, president of the International Opal Jewellery Design Awards Association. “His acceptance to our invitation adds a prestigious international seal to our spectacular event. Mr. Ford will be proudly welcomed as our guest speaker, and as a worthy ambassador of Australia’s national gemstone.”
The opal design awards are a biannual event, presented during the International Opal Jewellery Gala Awards dinner. This year’s event, scheduled for July 31, will take place in Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia.
Run by the International Opal Jewellery Design Awards Association, the awards were created to promote free-form and/or undulating surface opals in jewelry.
There are eight categories for the awards: Jewellery Hand Sketches; Carving--Professional and Non-Professional; the $2,000 Christine Roussel Incentive Award; the Alf White Memorial non-professional award; Fantasy; Apprentice; Nine-to-Five Wear; and the Prestige Professional Award.
For more information, visit IOJDAA.com.
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