Alessio Boschi, the former head designer at Autore, was one of the eight big winners at the world’s first international gem-cutting and jewellery design competition – the IU Awards.
Organised by the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) and UBM Asia (the organiser of the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair), the Awards attracted 221 entries from 25 countries and regions including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, New Zealand, Singapore and the US.
Entries in the jewellery design competition were judged on “creativity and originality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, marketability and wearability” while entries in the gem-cutting competition were judged on “creativity and originality, aesthetics, carving, cutting, polishing and finishing”.
The major jewellery design winners were:
♦ Champion: Suen Hang (Hong Kong)
♦ First runner-up: Luciana B Hamdan Valicek (Brazil)
♦ Second runner-up: Alessio Boschi (Australia)
♦ Merit: Chen Ying-Nien (Taiwan)
The major gem-cutting winners were:
♦ Champion: Natalie Samorukova (Russian Federation)
♦ First runner-up: Eduard Akhmetshin (Russian Federation)
♦ Second runner-up: MCM Nawaz (Sri Lanka)
♦ Merit: Dmitrii Samorukov (Russian Federation)
ICA president Wilson Yuen said the Awards were a step forward in elevating international gem-cutting standards and promoting coloured gemstone jewellery.
“The calibre of entries we received was certainly very encouraging, and I am sure the winning pieces will inspire creativity in the industry,” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by the Award judges including Fei Liu, founder of Fei Liu Fine Jewellery, who was “very impressed” by the high level of design skills and “how the designers superbly transformed their sketches into final products”.
“The entries certainly exhibit a deep understanding of fine gems and jewellery,” said Liu.
“The pieces not only showcase a diverse range of design techniques, but also cultures and beliefs.
“The IU Awards is a testament of many designers’ efforts to innovate and revolutionise traditional design mindsets. They have presented some of the most wonderful work I have seen in my life.”
The winners will be presented their trophies and certificates at an awards presentation ceremony during the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair.
All final entries in the Jewellery Design Competition and Gem-Cutting Competition will be exhibited in a dedicated display area at the Fair.