In2021, the Jewellers Association of Australia is pleased and proud once again to bring the JAA Australasian Jewellery Awards to the industry; the longest-running local design and manufacture awards in Australia. This is the 26th program of the Awards, which celebrates and recognises design, innovation, craftsmanship and marketability in the jewellery trade. They are the ultimate industry awards that reward creativity, skill.
Not only do the prestigious Awards give manufacturing jewellers a unique creative outlet to showcase their skills and talents on a professional and respected platform. It also allows industry participants an opportunity to reflect and evaluate themselves against others, as a result the Awards promote and foster the growth and talent in the industry.
On a local level, the Awards provides individuals the chance to exhibit their exceptional skill sets and design prowess to not only the industry but to consumers, through the JAA’s promotion of the Awards on social media to over 7,700+ followers, through the Awards e-publication and through the Winners’ Video Presentation, which in 2019 received over 2,400 views. On an international level, it gives an immeasurable opportunity for category winners to enter the International Jewellery Design Excellence awards in Hong Kong, competing across 27 countries and regions and showcased to nearly 52,00 buyers at the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show. Over the last decade, the Awards program has seen three Australian Awards entrants go on to an international stage; with Emily Snadden, Martyn Brown and Martin Linning, and Roberto Mattei being awarded in the International Jewellery Design Excellence Award in Hong Kong.
In 2019, I opened my office to the JAA to facilitate the judging day. As the JAA President this also allowed me to have a thorough look at the wonderful and exceptional pieces entered. I was extremely impressed with the calibre of not only the manufacturing skills but the innovation that continues to evolve in jeweller design. I am excited to see how this year’s entrants push the design envelope in 2021 along with demonstrating their skills in executing challenging technical elements. Year on year, comments from the judges’ centre around how difficult, yet fulfilling, it is to judge the varying design styles and techniques of the entries.
We thank our generous sponsors, who without their support our Awards program would not happen. We call on entrants and the wider industry to support such companies who back programs aimed at supporting the essence of our industry, manufacturing.
In addition to celebrating 90 years since the JAA’s founding in 1931, this year we will recognise finalists and winners at a pink 1930’s themed cocktail party on Sunday, 1 August in Melbourne. This event will be held at the same time of the inaugural Jewellery Industry Fair (www.jewelleryindustryfair.com).
So, will you be the one in 2021? Entries close on Friday, 9 July. Full details at jaa.com.au/awards.