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The indsutry's best of the best were recently awarded at two jewellery design competitions
The indsutry's best of the best were recently awarded at two jewellery design competitions

Jewellery industry’s finest talents recognised

Australia and New Zealand’s most talented jewellers have been celebrated at two lavish design award events in Sydney.

Winners of the inaugural Jewellery Design Awards (JDA) and the Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA) Australasian Jewellery Awards were announced during separate ceremonies held at the International Convention Centre on 26 August and at the Sheraton on the Park on 25 August, respectively.



"The truly exciting moment was when I received another text message that told me that I also won the Supreme Award. A very, very happy moment!"
Yuji Satomi, JDA Supreme Award winner

The JDA competition, organised by Expertise Events and held in conjunction with the International Jewellery Fair, boasted a prize pool of more than $80,000 that was spread across multiple sponsored categories.

Each category winner was awarded a minimum prize of $2,500 in cash or category-specific product, while the overall Supreme Award Winner received two airline tickets to Baselworld next year flying business class with Etihad Airways and four nights’ accommodation, as well as a full-page advertisement in The Australian Women’s Weekly.

Yuji Satomi was crowned the overall Supreme Award Winner for his piece The Mistress of the Adriatic, which featured a black opal and was inspired by Mediterranean culture.

Earlier in the evening, Satomi won the Australian Opal Award for the interchangeable men’s tie necklace and women’s brooch that incorporated diamonds and silk rope.

Satomi was unable to attend the awards ceremony as he was in Japan at the time but said he was “delighted” when he heard the news.

“My colleagues texted me the great news when the opal design award was announced,” Satomi said.

“But the truly exciting moment was when I received another text message that told me that I also won the Supreme Award. A very, very happy moment!”

There were 105 entries, from which 59 finalists were chosen, with the judging panel consisting of Jewellery Institute of Australia (JIA) founder Gabriel Owen, Cerrone retail manager Alison Kotevski, Armaguard general manager of international operations Scott Forster and Nationwide director Barry Jackson.

A full list of the JDA winners from each category can be found below.

JAA Design Awards

The 24th edition of the JAA Australasian Jewellery Awards garnered 55 entries with 30 finalist pieces across various categories. There was also a $10,000 Career and Education Award, which required a separate entry.

The winners, decided by a judging panel including jewellers Jason Ree and Ben Preston-Black, master goldsmith Andrew Pitcairn and Najo founder Jo Tory, were named at a masquerade ball held in conjunction with the Showcase Jewellers buying group members’ dinner.



"I hope we continue to share as much knowledge with each other as we can, and keep improving the standard of Australian jewellers."
Alistair Kelsey, JAA Jeweller of the Year Award winner

Alistair Kelsey took out the pinnacle Jeweller of the Year Award for his 1980s-inspired ring called Rapture.

Kelsey received a trip to Hong Kong to compete in the 2018 International Jewellery Design Excellence Awards courtesy of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and $1,000 prize money.

Kelsey was also awarded the top prize in the Colour Award category and said it was exciting to see the large amount of creativity that existed in the industry.

“I hope we continue to share as much knowledge with each other as we can, and keep improving the standard of Australian jewellers,” he added.

Hugh Thyregod was crowned the Apprentice/Student of the Year for his bangle called Undergrowth, which was made from sterling silver, 9-carat yellow gold and 18-carat yellow and white gold.

Marie Claire fashion editor Chloe Buttenshaw was given the task of making the Reader’s Choice Award shortlist. She selected 10 pieces from all entries received – not just finalists – and the public was then encouraged to vote for their favourite piece on the glossy magazine’s website.

Jeremy Fleming was named the winner for his platinum 18-carat rose gold ruby and diamond ring, and said it was an “amazing” feeling to be recognised throughout Australia.

Supporting industry's future

The new $10,000 Career and Education Award was developed after an anonymous benefactor donated $10,000 to the JAA earlier this year, requesting that the amount be put towards students and apprentices.

A JAA spokesperson said any student or apprentice that had entered a piece into the awards was also eligible to enter this category. Each entrant was required to write a submission that answered 10 questions about their future career and education goals.

This year’s winner Leah Straughair told Jeweller she was hoping to use the money to attend a two-week course in the US.

“I’m going over to Kansas to the GRS Training Centre to do two courses in setting and engraving,” Straughair said, noting she also planned to participate in additional courses in Europe as well as in Australia.

Staughair added she was very thankful to the anonymous donator who made the award a reality.

“I know it’s anonymous, but it’s such a beautiful thing that they’ve done and I’m so grateful.”

The winners

2017 JDA winners:

Supreme Award – Yuji Satomi

1st and 2nd Year Apprentice/Student Award – Sumaya Bakker

3rd and 4th Year Apprentice/Student Award – Kelly Ryu

Australian Opal Award – Yuji Satomi

Bridal Award – Gary Thyregod

CAD/CAM/Cast Award – Mindika Haddagoda

Coloured Gemstone Award – Ben Preston-Black

Diamond Award – Nicholas Theochari

Men's Accessories & Jewellery Award – Albert Tse

Pearl Award – Lynaire Kibblewhite

Precious Metal Award – Jason Ree

Fair Visitor Choice Award – Jason Ree

 
2017 JAA Australasian Jewellery Awards winners:

Jeweller of the Year/Roy Worfold Perpetual Trophy – Alistair Kelsey

Apprentice/Student Award – Hugh Thyregod

Reader’s Choice Award – Jeremy Fleming

$10,000 Career and Education Accolade – Leah Straughair

1st and 2nd Year Apprentice/Student Award – Tomomi Otobe

3rd and 4th Year Apprentice/Student Award – Hugh Thyregod

Precious Metal Award – Shiree Hobson

Colour Award – Alistair Kelsey

Diamond Award – Gregoire Vende

CAD/CAM/CAST Award – Roberto Mattei

Contemporary/Non-Precious Award – Kirra-Lea Caynes

2017 JDA WINNERS GALLERY

Sumaya Bakker, 1st & 2nd Year Apprentice/Student Award winner
Sumaya Bakker, 1st & 2nd Year Apprentice/Student Award winner
Kelly Ryu, 3rd & 4th Apprentice/Student Award winner
Kelly Ryu, 3rd & 4th Apprentice/Student Award winner
Yuji Satomi, Australian Opal Award and Supreme Award winner
Yuji Satomi, Australian Opal Award and Supreme Award winner
Gary Thyregod, Bridal Award winner
Gary Thyregod, Bridal Award winner
Mindika Haddagoda, CAD/CAM/Cast Award winner
Mindika Haddagoda, CAD/CAM/Cast Award winner
Ben Preston-Black, Coloured Gemstone Award winner
Ben Preston-Black, Coloured Gemstone Award winner
Nicholas Theochari, Diamond Award winner
Nicholas Theochari, Diamond Award winner
Albert Tse, Men
Albert Tse, Men's Accessories & Jewellery Award winner
Lynaire Kibblewhite, Pearl Award winner
Lynaire Kibblewhite, Pearl Award winner
Jason Ree, Precious Metal Award and Fair Visitor Choice Award winner
Jason Ree, Precious Metal Award and Fair Visitor Choice Award winner






 

2017 JAA Australasian Jewellery Awards WINNERS GALLERY

Alistair Kelsey, Colour Award and Jeweller of the Year/Roy Worfold Perpetual Trophy winner
Alistair Kelsey, Colour Award and Jeweller of the Year/Roy Worfold Perpetual Trophy winner
Hugh Thyregod, 3rd and 4th Year Apprentice/Student Award and Apprentice/Student Award winner
Hugh Thyregod, 3rd and 4th Year Apprentice/Student Award and Apprentice/Student Award winner
Jeremy Fleming, Reader’s Choice Award winner
Jeremy Fleming, Reader’s Choice Award winner
Leah Straughair, $10,000 Career and Education Accolade winner
Leah Straughair, $10,000 Career and Education Accolade winner
Tomomi Otobe, 1st and 2nd Year Apprentice/Student Award winner
Tomomi Otobe, 1st and 2nd Year Apprentice/Student Award winner
Shiree Hobson, Precious Metal Award winner
Shiree Hobson, Precious Metal Award winner
Gregoire Vende, Diamond Award winner
Gregoire Vende, Diamond Award winner
Roberto Mattei, CAD/CAM/CAST Award winner
Roberto Mattei, CAD/CAM/CAST Award winner





Kirra-Lea Caynes, Contemporary/Non-Precious Award winner
Kirra-Lea Caynes, Contemporary/Non-Precious Award winner





A full report of the design award winners will be published in Jeweller’s October issue.


More reading
Jewellery design competition ramps up
JAA Awards to be presented at buying group dinner
 
    


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