A bangle inspired by the bark and branches of Australia’s native Salmon Gum tree was the winning design at the 21st annual JAA Australian Jewellery Awards in Sydney last week.
Created by 29-year-old Emily Snadden from Collins Jewellers in Hobart, the 18 carat yellow and white gold ‘Precious Limb Bangle’ features five ‘seed pods’ grain set with 145 round brilliant-cut diamonds.
“I am intrigued by the naturally occurring folds, creases and wrinkles in the bark and junctions of the Salmon Gum tree which I have aimed to recreate within this piece,” she said
“I have achieved this by die-forming the bangle – through the careful manipulation and detailed carving of two part acrylic moulds I have been able to suggest a cushiony softness or malleability which is normally uncharacteristic to metal.”
Snadden’s design won the precious metals category award and the Grand Prix Award/Roy Worfold Perpetual Trophy at the JAA Awards.
Apart from the honour of being named Australian Jeweller of the Year, Snadden’s prize also includes return airfares and accommodation to the Hong Kong International Jewellery Fair in March next year.
Snadden said she was extremely excited about her upcoming trip to the Fair and the “opportunities that winning this award may bring”.
“I hope that winning this award will assist me to develop good contacts within the industry and to further develop my skills and knowledge.”
The other winners at the awards ceremony were:
1st and 2nd Year Apprentice Design and Craftsmanship Award – The Memory by Chia-an Cheng, Sayang’s Touch Manfacturing
3rd and 4th Year Apprentice Design and Craftsmanship Award – Dangerous Game by Jade Harper, MDT Design
Silver Design Award (including hollowware) – Flight #III by David Clayton, David Clayton – Silversmith
Pearl Design Award – Golden Carousel by Lynn Barker and Paul Taseff, Linneys Jewellers
Coloured Gemstone Design Award – Catalyst by Roy Wilson, Pd Art Gallery Roy Jewellery
Opal Design Award – The Other Woman by Leon Parry, Jewellery by Leon
Diamond Design Award (retail value below $5000) – Outre by Steve Pallas, G & N Designer Jewellers
Diamond Design Award (retail value above $5001) – Sunshine by Varoujan Djevahirdjian, Varoujan Jewellers
CAD/CAM Award – Templum by Sarah Radloff, McCarthy Jewellers
All 154 JAA award entrants, finalists and winners of the 2010 Awards will be featured in a 32-page booklet in the October issue of marie claire.