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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
ColumnistsApr 09, 2026
Jewelry Demand Isn’t Stronger, Prices Are Just Higher Jewelers who misinterpret the state of the jewelry market risk employing the wrong retail strategy, cautions columnist Sherry Smith.
MajorsApr 09, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Promotes Nathalie Verdeille to SVP, Chief Artistic OfficerIn her newly expanded role, she will continue to oversee the jewelry category, as well as watches, home, and accessories.
WatchesApr 09, 2026
Jacob & Co. Rolls Out Its Sequel to ‘The Godfather’ Musical Watch“The Godfather II” watch plays two melodies from the mob film’s score, “The Godfather’s Waltz” and “The Godfather Love Theme.”
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.
SourcingApr 09, 2026
AGA To Honor ‘Quiet Leadership’ With New AwardThe Alan Hodgkinson Medal recognizes gemologists who are consistently generous with their time and expertise.
Weekly QuizApr 09, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesApr 09, 2026
Oris Names New CEO, CFOThe Swiss watchmaker is changing up its executive leadership team as part of a restructuring.
CollectionsApr 08, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30 Years By Asking a QuestionThe “What’s Your Signature?” campaign invites women to think about how they see themselves.
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.
SourcingApr 08, 2026
Sale of 42-Carat Blue Diamond Gives Petra a Boost in Q3The big diamond’s sale added to the company’s revenue though the market remains “challenging” overall, particularly for smaller goods.
Events & AwardsApr 08, 2026
TJS to Honor 2 Longtime Former Stuller EmployeesThe Jewelry Symposium will honor two industry veterans with lifetime achievement awards at its upcoming May event.
TrendsApr 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: April’s Brilliant Birthstone With their durability, brilliance, and beauty, diamonds are the perfect stone for everyday birthstone jewelry.
MajorsApr 07, 2026
QVC Group’s Latest Filing Calls Its Future Into QuestionThe retailer failed to file its annual report on time and said it may issue a going concern warning.
ColumnistsApr 07, 2026
Peter Smith: A Tip to the Post Office on Workplace CultureSmith recounts a recent trip to the post office that included an uncomfortable, embarrassing, and public exchange between two employees.
GradingApr 07, 2026
GIA CFO David Tearle to Retire in June John Cowley, who has more than 30 years of experience, is succeeding Tearle as the lab’s chief financial officer.
CollectionsApr 07, 2026
Nerd Out Over Gemology Geek’s First Jewelry CollectionFounder Erica Silverglide has designed 35 colorful pieces set with fluorescing gemstones for the brand's first finished jewelry offering.
CollectionsApr 07, 2026
Ukrainian Jewelers Highlighted In New Book“Ukrainian Jewelry | Contemporary Jewelry and Art Jewelry from Ukraine” features 33 contemporary Ukrainian designers and studios.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Fope’s New Jewelry Debuts Are Golden“The Golden Now” campaign celebrates the here and now with the brand’s signature styles and a selection of its new pieces.
MajorsApr 06, 2026
Kecia Caffie, Corinne Bentzen No Longer With Signet JewelersSignet confirmed that Caffie, president of Zales and Banter, and Bentzen, who headed Blue Nile, have left the company.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Historian Tanzy Ward Pens Book on Black Victorians’ JewelryThe antique jewelry dealer talks about the importance of including Black Americans in jewelry history and preserving their stories.
SourcingApr 06, 2026
Gemfields Reports $51M Loss in 2025Both its mines faced challenges last year, from operational issues to disruptions in the market.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
