The Artisan Awards is an initiative spearheaded by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India; an endeavour that aims to provide a platform for creative professionals to maximise their individualistic and creative ideas in jewellery design.
The thematic contests released annually have witnessed exclusive, never-seen-before, one-of-a-kind jewels that highlight the levels of innovation this industry is capable of. With entries coming in from all parts of the world, this program has proven time and again that it can be global in its outlook, welcoming in its inclusivity and authoritative in its ability to propel careers forward. With many more seasons still to come, The Artisan is well on its to becoming a hallmark for ground-breaking thinking in the jewellery space.
Women with incredible style, punch-you-in-the-face attitude, tumultuous lives, and, an insatiable hunger for beautiful, one-of-a-kind, signature jewels. The gems and baubles they painstakingly collected over their lifetimes each have their individual stories to tell; immensely covetable to date, auctioned off at unheard-of prices and consistently making headlines of their own. This era of women may have sadly ended decades ago, but their legacies live on.
For the Artisan Awards 2022, we need you to create a piece of jewellery for any of these collectors. Visualize these women as they would have been in their prime – the way they dressed then, their personal style, the kind of jewels they wore, the attitude they projected – and come up with a winner that these icons would wear if they were alive and at their peak today.
NOTE: We’ve seen these powerhouses dripping in diamonds and shining bright in their tiaras and necklaces. Your challenge is to create a smaller piece with maximum impact that will embody and enhance the personality of the woman you choose to design for – think brooches, pendants, rings or earrings.
3 Eras! 625 Entries! 27 Finalists! 9 Winners. For the 2020 edition, legendary British designer Stephen Webster graced the annual momentous event recognising and rewarding the best in jewellery design, The Artisan Jewellery Design Awards, an initiative by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). The Artisan Awards epitomises the highest levels of artistry, innovation and individuality - elevating jewellery designers to their rightful status of artistes.
Mr. Stephen Webster said, “For a piece of jewellery materials are everything. Materials and craft form the basis, but the element of design pushes things further. Design competitions are important because they challenge you to push yourself creatively, to push your own boundaries. India is steeped in tradition and India has influenced nearly all jewellery designers. I congratulate all the winners of The Artisan Awards presented by GJEPC and can say we have seen some great pieces.”
I thought it was a challenging theme for the young designers. To conceive a piece suitable for 3 legendary jewellery collectors from the past was quite tricky. However, it was a fine attempt by the participants.
Founder and Creative Head, VAK Jewels
It was a great opportunity to witness the upcoming design talent and their creations at the Artisan Awards 2022 jury meet. Personally, it was so rewarding to be a spectator in the midst of these creative minds and appreciate their designs, which were so painstakingly created for the theme, 'The Collectors.'
Managing Director of GIA India
This year's Artisan Awards entries showed tremendous potential, once again demonstrating the prodigious talent that is attracted to this prestigious contest.
Journalist, author and jewellery enthusiast
As a first-time jury member for the Artisan Awards 2022, I was pleasantly surprised by the entries received for this year's theme. It was an engaging theme, re-visiting an almost forgotten era of great female jewellery collectors, who had strong and distinct personalities and a great appetite for jewellery.
Bespoke Jewellery shopping consultant
GJEPC has created an excellent platform to celebrate creativity in design. A successful design showcases a designer's ability to create unique stories, memorable concepts along with technical innovation. I wish each entrant tremendous success.
Jewellery Designer, Painter and Professor
The theme of The Collectors was clearly inspirational as we saw an incredibly wide range of highly imaginative and original pieces in precious and semi-precious materials. I was intrigued to see the life, style and character of each collector represented in these contemporary jewel sketches.
Former Worldwide Chairman of Sotheby's Jewellery Division
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), is the APEX body for Gem & Jewellery trade in India. Under the aegis of Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, the Council spearheads the USD40 billion Gem & Jewellery trade employing a workforce of 5 Million
Set up in 1966, GJEPC represents 7000 members across Gem & Jewellery products from India.
Trade Facilitator
GIA India and GIA India Laboratory Pvt. Ltd. (GIA India') are independent subsidiaries of the Gemological Institute of America, Inc. ('GIA'). Established in 1931, GIA is recognised as the world's foremost authority in gemmology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight and, in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which is recognised around the world as the standard for diamond quality
Through research, education, gemmological laboratory services and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewellery by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science and professionalism. All of GIA's activities are governed by its mission to serve the public.
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