The Mystery Box Bench Challenge was launched at the Sydney Fair in 2024 as a competitive showcase of the skills of students from Design Centre Enmore (TAFE NSW) across three days.
Students receive a mystery collection of materials and are instructed to design and create a piece of jewellery before a glowing red countdown clock runs out. Two qualifying stages are held on Saturday and Sunday, before the grand finale on Monday.
The top three jewellers from each day move through to the final round, and this year’s event consistently commanded the attention of onlookers throughout the proceedings at Darling Harbour. Raucous applause greeted every participant at the conclusion of each day, and TAFE NSW head teacher of jewellery design, Gina Kind, said it was excellent to see the broader industry embrace the growing tradition.
“All of the competitors have done very well. These aren’t easy circumstances. It’s difficult to execute technical skills while you’re being watched, photographed, and spoken to while you’re working away against the clock,” she told Jeweller.
“We are very proud of the way each of these jewellers has conducted themselves.”
The winner of the opening round was Billy O’Brien, joined on the podium by Finn Macoolyn-Lindsay and Mathias Simon. This was followed by a heated round on day two, with George Potamitis securing first place and heading through to the grand finale accompanied by Amy Cahman and Jess Ward.
Facing a tighter time frame in the grand finale, Jess Ward emerged victorious, collecting more than $2,000 worth of prizes designed to further her developing career in the jewellery industry. She was joined by Mathias Simon in second place and Finn Macoolyn-Lindsay in third.
As the winner of the 2026 Mystery Box Bench Challenge, Jess Ward joins previous winners Brielle Prince of Meg Maskell Fine Jewellery (2025) and Solomon Gates of Saffo Jewellery (2024).
“We tend to find in the grand finale that the jewellers are a little more experienced and relaxed, having already completed one day of the challenge, but the pressure is still on them because the time they can work is even shorter,” Kind continued.
“On the surface, it’s all about testing their skills against the clock, but we are watching for other things, too. It’s not just about competing with your peers; we get a big thrill when we see the contestants giving each other little bits of advice or just general encouragement and support.
“Working under pressure is the reality of working in this industry, and in this competition we are witnessing the future of the jewellery industry. Everyone needs to be able to not only make decisions for themselves, but also support those around them.”
This year also introduced the inaugural Future Jeweller Award, awarded to a deserving contestant for factors beyond jewellery manufacturing, such as composure and camaraderie. The winner of that award was George Potamitis.
As part of a final announcement, Expertise Events managing director Gary Fitz-Roy thanked all organisers, contestants, sponsors, and visitors for their continued support of the event and confirmed that in 2027, the Mystery Box Bench Challenge will return – bigger and better than ever before.
The Mystery Box Bench Challenge is made possible by the support of Australian Jewellery Supplies, Palloys, Expertise Events, and the Gemmological Association of Australia (GAA).
2026 Mystery Box Bench Challenge – Results
Day One - Qualifying Round #1 (August 22 - Saturday)
Mathias Simon [Finalist]
Finn Macoolyn-Lindsay [Finalist]
Billy O’Brien [Finalist]
Eila Jean Spark
Zhang Qiaoyi (Joy)
Sandy Nguyen
Day Two - Qualifying Round #2 (August 23 - Sunday)
Amy Cahman [Finalist]
Jess Ward [Finalist]
George Potamitis [Finalist]
Georgie Rosenburg
Hannah Page
Lauren McAuliffe
Day Three - Grand Finale (August 24 - Monday)
Jess Ward [Winner]
Mathias Simon [Second]
Finn Macoolyn-Lindsay [Third]
Billy O’Brien
Amy Cahman
George Potamitis
More reading
Mystery Box Bench Challenge back for round three
2025 Sydney Fair: Meet the future of the jewellery industry
Bench jewellers to be showcased at 2025 Sydney Fair
International Jewellery Fair 2024: Young jewellers shine in the spotlight
Challenge accepted: Prize money on the line at Sydney Fair