The International Colour Gemstone Association and trade fair organiser UBM Asia have jointly launched the first International Gem Cutting & Jewellery Design Competition.
ICA president Wilson Yuen said the new competition has been created to fill a void in the trade for a design competition open to colour stone cutters and carvers and gem-set jewellery designers around the world.
“While there are regional competitions recognising the talents of artists working in colour gemstones, there has not been any international contest,” he said, adding that he was hopeful that the contest would help elevate gem-cutting standards worldwide.
Meanwhile Letitia Chow, director of business development for UBM Asia’s Jewellery Group, noted that there had been tremendous growth for colour in rising consumer markets like China and therefore the time was ripe to promote a global competition that would encourage greater use of gemstones.
Further details of the competition will be announced during the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair and the first award-presentation ceremony will be held at the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair in 2012.