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
Policies & IssuesFeb 24, 2026
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, New 10% Tariff Already ImposedAfter the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Sherry Smith Now Principal Partner at The Retail SmithsThe industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Yafa Signed Jewels to Open Store in MiamiThe vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
WatchesFeb 24, 2026
Chrono24 Names New VP, U.S. General ManagerFormer Flight Club executive Jin Lee will bring his experience from the sneaker world to the pre-owned watch marketplace.
Weekly QuizFeb 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingFeb 23, 2026
Designer Eddie Sakamoto, a Humble Artist, Dies at 72Sakamoto, who died in mid-January following a sudden illness, is remembered for his humility and his masterful, architectural designs.
TrendsFeb 23, 2026
Dua Lipa Is Bulgari’s New AmbassadorBulgari chose the British-Albanian singer-songwriter for her powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture, the jeweler said.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
Policies & IssuesFeb 20, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Against Most of President Trump’s TariffsIn a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
MajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board ChairJVC also announced the election of five new board members.
CollectionsFeb 20, 2026
Boucheron’s ‘Faisceaux’ Brooch Heads to V&A MuseumThe brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
PodcastsFeb 18, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
MajorsFeb 18, 2026
Select Jewelry Inks Agreement to Distribute Lightweight Gold JewelryIt will lead distribution in North America for Graziella Braccialini's new gold pieces, which it said are 50 percent lighter.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
Events & AwardsFeb 18, 2026
DCA to Host Gemstone Selling Education Session at IJO EventThe nonprofit will present a live, two-hour introductory course on building confidence when selling colored gemstones.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
SourcingFeb 17, 2026
Colored Gemstone Experts Talk Tariffs, Trends in TucsonAlthough the market is robust, tariffs and precious metal prices are impacting the industry, Stuart Robertson and Brecken Branstrator said.
GradingFeb 17, 2026
Dr. George Rossman, Former GIA Governor, Dies at 81Rossman, who advised GIA for more than 50 years, is remembered for his passion and dedication to the field of gemology.
CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2026
A ‘Rosebud’ Necklace for Valentine’s DayPaul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.
MajorsFeb 13, 2026
JFC Announces New BeneficiariesThe nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.
MajorsFeb 12, 2026
These 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Stores Are ClosingParent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.
