The Cultured Pearl Association of America announced the names of winners of its 6th annual 2015-2016 International Pearl Design Contest on Nov. 3. ?
The Providence, R.I.–based nonprofit received hundreds of entries from 21 countries. Entrants submitted images of finished pieces or renderings of proposed styles, and winners will be on display at the 2016 AGTA Tucson GemFair show and the 2016 JCK Las Vegas show. Winners also receive various types of media recognition.
Winners are as follows;
President’s Trophy: Highest honor awarded to a design that unanimously captivated judges as the best of the best
Illusion earrings by Alexia Gryllaki of Athens, Greece
Luster Award: Most marketable design for retail
Yes or No earrings by Wei-Na Tu of Taipei City, Taiwan
Designer’s Award: Entry that takes pearls to the far corners of the imagination
Pearls and Lace in Space bangle by Brenda Smith of Brenda Smith Jewelry of Woodstock, Ga.
Brilliance Award: Best illustration of the spectrum of pearl colors
There Is More to Them Than Meets the Eye earrings by Shu-Yi Huang of New Taipei City, Taiwan
Orient Award: Compelling design aesthetic that inspires a new affinity for pearls
Sizing Up Shapes earrings by Kuan-Chen Hou of Taipei City, Taiwan
Visionary Award: Redefining the iconic pearl strand to shift the perception of cultured pearls for today’s buyer
Candies necklace by Ting-Ju Lin of Taipei, Taiwan
Fashion Award (shared by two): A modern, fresh design that could be seen on a Paris runway
Josie choker (top) by Mary Feliciano of Union City, N.J. and Spiral Revolution earrings by Geoffrey Middle of Leicestershire, England
Wedding Day Pearls: A fantasy wedding look with pearls, since brides and pearls are synonymous
Dancing With the Stars earrings Shin Yue Chen of Taipei City, Taiwan ?
Fantasy Award: A conceptual, aspirational design that is difficult to fabricate
Splash & Love ring by Indika Wijayarathna of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Commendations were also given to 12 entries, and for the first time in the contest’s history, these pieces, too, will be shown along side of winners at the aforementioned 2016 shows.
Commendation winners include: Jorge Adeler of Adeler Jewelers, Great Falls, Va.; Paula Crevoshay of Paula Crevoshay, Albuquerque, N.M.;? Aspen Demirdjian of Aspen Diamonds, Los Angeles;? Hector Hassey of Hector Hassey Designs, The Woodlands, Texas;? Chi Huynh of Galatea Jewelry by Artist, San Dimas, Calif.;? Michael Jensen of Michael Jensen Designs, Rio Rancho, N.M.;? Patrick King, Durham, N.C.;? Elizabeth Kirby of Elizabeth Blair, Harbor Springs, Mich.; ?Francesco Lops of Damas Jewellery, Dubai, UAE;? Mark Schneider, Mark Schneider Design, Long Beach, Calif.;? Hisano Shepherd of Little h, Los Angeles;? and Saul Waxman, Miami.
Pieces will also be available for viewing upon completion on the CPAA website.
Judges included Jean Francois Bibet of Cartier, Cheryl Kremkow of Citrine Media, Claudia Mata of W magazine, Amanda Gizzi of Jewelers of America, and Jennifer Heebner of JCK.
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