Events & AwardsApr 08, 2021
Here Are the 2021 CASE Award Winners Events & AwardsJul 01, 2021
The CPAA’s Annual Design Contest Starts Now
Winning designs will be offered for sale at Aaron Faber Gallery in New York City.
The “Spotlight Award” category of the Cultured Pearl Association of America’s Annual International Pearl Design Competition highlights a different pearl variety every year. This year, it’s the blue akoya pearl, pictured here alongside white akoya and Tahitian keshi pearls by Baggins Pearls. (Image by Ted Morrison)
New York—The Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA) is now accepting entries for the 12th edition of its Annual International Pearl Design Competition.
The award categories will be the same as last year, CPAA said.
The “Spotlight Award,” which highlights one specific pearl variety annually, will this year be awarded to one design featuring 75 percent or more blue akoya pearls.
International and domestic entries will be judged separately, with a winner in each for every award category.
International entries will consist of renderings and sketches, while U.S. entries will be based on finished jewelry.
For the U.S., entries in the first round will consist of photographs of finished pieces, showcasing one to three angles of the work per the designer’s discretion.
Judges will announce finalists on Monday, Nov. 1.
In the second stage, those finalists will ship their jewelry for live judging in New York City.
Winners will be selected on Thursday, Nov. 18, and go immediately for sale at Aaron Faber Gallery.
Any items that do not sell will be returned in January 2022.
The judges are Aaron Faber co-owner Patricia Faber and Jean Francois Bibet, workshop and production director at Cartier.
Entries are being accepted now through Friday, Oct. 22.
CPAA has extended its special pandemic pricing for this year, with the first two entries costing a total $175, and each additional entry costing $150 each. Entries are limited to five.
The association encourages both new and seasoned designers to enter.
“The International Pearl Design Competition is now in our 12th year and is stronger than ever,” CPAA Marketing Manager Kathy Grenier said. “CPAA is especially excited for 2021 because creativity needs an outlet, and the circumstances of the pandemic have silenced many in the past year.
“Now is the time to bring those pearl creations into existence! The world of pearls is your oyster; let the designing begin!”
A cocktail reception will celebrate winners and finalists at Aaron Faber on Nov. 18, the day the winners are announced.
Winning designs must be available to go for sale at the gallery; designs that are already sold or otherwise unavailable should not be submitted.
Full rules and guidelines are available online.
Related stories will be right here …
The award categories will be the same as last year, CPAA said.
The “Spotlight Award,” which highlights one specific pearl variety annually, will this year be awarded to one design featuring 75 percent or more blue akoya pearls.
International and domestic entries will be judged separately, with a winner in each for every award category.
International entries will consist of renderings and sketches, while U.S. entries will be based on finished jewelry.
For the U.S., entries in the first round will consist of photographs of finished pieces, showcasing one to three angles of the work per the designer’s discretion.
Judges will announce finalists on Monday, Nov. 1.
In the second stage, those finalists will ship their jewelry for live judging in New York City.
Winners will be selected on Thursday, Nov. 18, and go immediately for sale at Aaron Faber Gallery.
Any items that do not sell will be returned in January 2022.
The judges are Aaron Faber co-owner Patricia Faber and Jean Francois Bibet, workshop and production director at Cartier.
Entries are being accepted now through Friday, Oct. 22.
CPAA has extended its special pandemic pricing for this year, with the first two entries costing a total $175, and each additional entry costing $150 each. Entries are limited to five.
The association encourages both new and seasoned designers to enter.
“The International Pearl Design Competition is now in our 12th year and is stronger than ever,” CPAA Marketing Manager Kathy Grenier said. “CPAA is especially excited for 2021 because creativity needs an outlet, and the circumstances of the pandemic have silenced many in the past year.
“Now is the time to bring those pearl creations into existence! The world of pearls is your oyster; let the designing begin!”
A cocktail reception will celebrate winners and finalists at Aaron Faber on Nov. 18, the day the winners are announced.
Winning designs must be available to go for sale at the gallery; designs that are already sold or otherwise unavailable should not be submitted.
Full rules and guidelines are available online.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
IndependentsDec 29, 2025
In Memoriam: Industry Friends We Lost in 2025From influential executives to innovative designers, we pay tribute to the people we said goodbye to this year.
MajorsDec 29, 2025
Tanishq Opens New Stores in Florida, VirginiaThe retailer is expanding into areas with large Indian and South Asian populations.
MajorsDec 29, 2025
Nanis Opens First Flagship Store The Italian brand has opened its first flagship amid the peaks of the Dolomites in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
SourcingDec 29, 2025
‘Unearthed: Raw Beauty’ Exhibition Opens at LA MuseumThe new curation at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County showcases rare gem and mineral specimens in their uncut, natural state.
Weekly QuizDec 23, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeDec 24, 2025
LA Jewelry District Couple Pleads Guilty to Hiding Millions from IRSThe couple pleaded guilty to concealing at least $127 million in cash transactions at its precious metals businesses.
SurveysDec 24, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls Again in DecemberConsumers shared concerns about prices, inflation, tariffs, trade, and politics in the survey’s write-in response section.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
AuctionsDec 24, 2025
Bonhams to Open New U.S. Flagship in NYCIn February 2026, the auction house will move its headquarters to the former Steinway Hall, a neoclassical landmark on Billionaires’ Row.
SourcingDec 23, 2025
Mining Titan Brian Gilbertson Dies at 82The former BHP Billiton leader and Gemfields chairman is remembered for his influential leadership throughout his 50-year mining career.
MajorsDec 23, 2025
Kering to Acquire Stake in Raselli Franco GroupThe luxury titan inked a deal to acquire an initial minority stake in the jewelry manufacturer with a pathway to full ownership by 2032.
MajorsDec 23, 2025
For Future Reference Vintage Enters Bloomingdale’sThe company’s curation of unsigned vintage and estate jewelry debuted at the Bloomingdale’s in Costa Mesa, California.
CrimeDec 22, 2025
Customs Seizes Hundreds of Fake Rolex, Cartier WatchesIn the recent multi-shipment seizure, CBP also found counterfeit Audemars Piguet, Moncler, and Chrome Hearts items.
EditorsDec 22, 2025
How Helzberg Is Reimagining Its StoresHelzberg’s Chief Retail Officer Mitch Maggart shared details about its tests of a new store concept rooted in an elevated luxury experience.
Recorded WebinarsDec 22, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: Looking Back on an Eventful Year Jewelers of America execs and National Jeweler editors discuss tariffs, the sky-high gold price, and the engagement that broke the internet.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
EditorsDec 19, 2025
2025 Jewelry Superlatives: A Yearbook-Style Year in Review The National Jeweler editors revisit the most noteworthy industry happenings and design trends from 2025.
AuctionsDec 19, 2025
Jean Schlumberger’s ‘African Cat’ Is Purr-Fection Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
EditorsDec 18, 2025
Terry Chandler Looks Back on 40 Years of Opportunity, Change, and FriendsChandler got his start at Michelson Jewelers and has served as DCA president and CEO since 2001. He will retire at the end of the month.
WatchesDec 18, 2025
Bob’s Watches to Open Store in New York’s JFK AirportThe boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.
Supplier BulletinDec 18, 2025
Cell Jammers Are Targeting Your Business. Here's How to Beat ThemSponsored by Digital Monitoring Products
CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week PicksAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
