Entries Open for 20th Annual Saul Bell Design Awards

Rio Grande has announced that entries for the 2020 Saul Bell Design Award competition—in its 20th year—are open. The awards, named for the Rio Grande founder and jeweler, calls on the industry to push its creativity to new heights.

“My father would have had so much admiration for every metalsmith who has ever entered this competition,” said Molly Bell, Rio Grande executive vice president, in a statement. “The spirit of the competition embodies not only his passion for making jewelry and his appreciation for the creativity and technical challenges of the work these artist do, but also his respect for those striving to learn more, pushing past obstacles, and thriving in doing what they love. He was so generous with his knowledge and always had time for any bench or technical question.”

The competition is known for its intensive judging process. Winners are chosen by two panels of judges, totaling 10 jewelers and industry leaders. In the first round of judging, five panelists look for originality of design, proposed use of materials, and aesthetics. For the finalists, a second panel of five judges will seek successful incorporation of materials, wearability, and quality of workmanship. Pieces will be inspected up close and worn on models during the final round of judging.

The 2020 competition features seven categories: Gold/Platinum; Silver/Argentium Silver; Hollowware/Art Objects; Alternate Metals/Materials; Jewelry Collections; and two categories of Emerging Jewelry Artist—one for 18 years and younger (high school), the other for those 22 years and younger (college).

Designers can take advantage of discounted early-bird fees of $75 per entry through September 16. Entries thereafter will be charged a regular fee of $125. The fee for Emerging Jewelry Artist entries is $25.

The deadline for the competition entries is October 25. For more information, visit saulbellaward.com.

IEG Announces Dates for 7th Edition of Gold/Italy 

Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) announced the dates for its seventh edition of Gold/Italy International Business Workshop, its yearly autumn event held at the Arezzo Fiere Congressi in Arezzo, Italy. Dates for this year’s show are Saturday, October 26–Monday, October 28.

IEG plays host to brands and companies from all of the Italian gold districts—Arezzo, Vicenza, Valenza, Torre del Greco, and Milan—and welcomes buyers from the United States, Middle East, Eastern Europe, Asia, and more.

The event will include a cash-and-carry area, as well as a sections for packaging and tech. For the first time, buyers and exhibitors can arrange meetings preshow through the IEG-developed Business Matching Platform. For more information on that, visit igexpo.it.

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