The Women’s Jewelry Association is encouraging artisans to enter its 17th annual DIVA Design Competition.

The WJA’s contest is open to women of all levels of experience, and the theme for this year is transformation.

Division One or the Gem DIVA award is offered in conjunction with the AGTA Spectrum Awards. Women who enter the Spectrum Awards are automatically eligible for the Gem DIVA award in three categories: Business/Day Wear, Evening Wear, and Bridal. The application deadline is September 19.

Division Two or the Dazzle DIVA award is for two-dimensional entries—renderings of not-yet-made designs or photographs of already-created jewels. (This category is only for two-dimensional art, and no finished product will be judged.) Pieces will be judged on uniqueness, how well items fit the theme of transformation, and execution. Entrants can interpret the theme literally or figuratively, but they must state on the application how their entry fits the theme. The application deadline is October 3.

The winners in each category will receive $250 plus a trip to New York City to attend WJA’s annual In the Spotlight award reception in March 2015. 

For more information, log onto WJA’s website or contact Cindy Edelstein, WJA DIVA Competition Chair, at 914-738-8485 or cindy@jewelersresource.com. 

JCK