Contests

Two 1996 graduates of the Gemological Institute of America’s Graduate Jeweler program received certificates of high achievement in the Jewellery Network Society’s International Jewellery Design Contest.

Roxanna Javid of Iran submitted a computer-aided brooch design and finished piece called the “The Sublime Lotus,” made with an amethyst surrounded by diamond baguettes and set in gold. Catherine Hsaio of Taiwan entered a design and finished piece titled “Soul Touching the Ground...,” a pendant centered on a cat’s-eye moonstone surrounded by garnet, citrine, tourmaline and amethyst in a gold setting.

Javid and Hsaio designed their pieces according to the contest’s theme “Spiritually Healing Jewelry for the 21st Century.” Their designs were honored at a ceremony in Tokyo, Japan.

The Gemological Institute of America has announced winners of the 19th annual George A. Schuetz Jewelry Design Contest.

In men’s jewelry or accessories, the panel of judges chose a white, yellow and pink gold tie tack by Sumate

Tresuchon of Thailand. In women’s jewelry, the judges chose a black pearl brooch and pendant with melee diamonds designed by Bo-kyong Jun of South Korea.

Both winners will receive a $500 scholarship from the George A. Schuetz Memorial Fund for jewelry-related training at an institution of their choice. Winning designs were chosen on the basis of color rendering, outstanding appeal, execution, practicality and overall design qualities.

Anyone interested in entering future contests should request an application from GIA Financial Aid, P.O. Box 2110, Santa Monica, CA 90407; (310) 829-2991, ext. 355.

Jon Barry DiNola of Yardley Jewelers, Yardley, Pa., won first place in the Keystone Awards, the Pennsylvania Jewelers’ Association’s new jewelry design competition. The award-winning piece is a 14k handmade pin with diamonds, tanzanite and pink tourmaline. As the winning piece at the state level, the pin was PJA’s entry in this year’s national Jewelers of America design competition.

DiNola is a self-taught bench jeweler. He taught jewelry for two years at Trenton State College, Trenton, N.J., and has been the proprietor of his own jewelry store for 19 years. He is on the board of directors of the association and is a GIA graduate gemologist, an American Gem Society Certified Gemologist and the 1993 GIA Alumni Regional Member of the Year.

Martin Roethlein of Kolman Jewelers, Monroeville, won second prize. Karen Feldman of Feldman Design Fine Jewelry, Emmaus, won third prize.

The Los Angeles Chapter of the Women’s Jewelry Association announces a new design competition to promote and encourage women’s jewelry design talent. The competition is open to all women, with or without formal jewelry or design training. It will focus on jewelry designs that appeal to women regardless of occupation, not on the piece’s execution or production.

The overall theme for the first DIVA Award for Jewelry Design is “Women at Work.” Entrants are asked to create jewelry designs that address the diverse lifestyles of today’s women, from stay-at-home mothers to office professionals to corporate executives.

“A goal of the competition is to create a vehicle for introducing the WJA and the jewelry industry to a greater universe of women from all walks of life,” says Elsa Martinez-Phillips, cochair of the competition committee. Adds Cri Cri Solak-Eastin, the other cochair, “We hope this will encourage wide participation and provide a fresh outlook and approach to fine jewelry design.”

Entrants must submit finished renderings of fine jewelry that uses precious metals with or without precious and semiprecious stones or pearls. Costume jewelry designs will not be accepted. Entrants may submit up to three entries, along with a $20 processing fee. All renderings should be in color on 81/2-by-11-in. white or light gray paper and must include a description of the piece. Necklaces, pendants, bracelets and earrings should be shown actual size; rings may be enlarged 11/2 times.

Deadline for entries in the DIVA Award contest is March 31; winners will be announced at the WJA Las Vegas Bash on June 1. The grand prize winner will receive $1,000; second prize, $500; and third prize, $250. Three honorable mentions will be awarded $100 each.

Requests for entry forms should be mailed to WJA Los Angeles Chapter, P.O. Box 90576, Pasadena, CA 911099; (310) 842-6446.