Celebrating Craftsmanship: The Artisan Awards
India’s most prestigious jewellery design competition, the Artisan Jewellery Design Awards, is gearing up for its 8th edition with a thrilling new theme for 2025. Launched at the India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) 2024 in NESCO, this year’s theme—“Indian Craft Reimagined”—promises to challenge designers to explore and expand the boundaries of traditional and contemporary jewellery design.
The 2025 Theme: A Fusion of Tradition and Innovation
The 2025 Artisan Awards invites designers to push the limits of their creativity by reinterpreting symbolic and traditional Indian jewellery crafts. Indian jewellery techniques, renowned for their elaborate artistry and deep cultural roots, are being revived and redefined in the global jewellery market. This year’s theme encourages participants to blend these ancient techniques with modern design sensibilities, creating pieces that resonate with both tradition and contemporary style.
Designers are tasked with exploring how traditional Indian jewellery can be transformed to appeal to today’s diverse audience. This includes adapting timeless designs to suit the tastes of younger generations while maintaining the essence of their cultural significance. By doing so, designers not only honor the rich heritage of Indian craftsmanship but also ensure its continued relevance in the global market.
Criteria
- Craftsmanship: Demonstrate mastery of the chosen traditional technique.
- Innovation: Show originality in your design, reinterpreting traditional methods in a fresh and contemporary way.
- Aesthetics: Ensure the piece is visually appealing and reflective of the current jewellery climate Cultural Relevance: Respect and honour the cultural significance of the traditional technique / piece
- Wearability: Consider the practical aspects of wearing the jewellery piece.
Participation Criteria
The entry is open to individuals, as well as individuals who partner with a company, with both the individual and the company receiving credit.
- Entry to the competition is free
- Designer’s name to be mentioned first, followed by the partnering company
- An individual can submit two entries each
- All designs to ensure that the final product be under five carats
- Only wearable ornaments. No accessories
- No synthetics and CZs
- Any piece/s found to be submitted for any other jewellery design competition will be disqualified immediately
Why Participate? The Rewards of Winning
Winning an Artisan Award can significantly elevate a designer’s profile within the jewellery industry. The accolade not only provides substantial recognition but also positions winners at the forefront of the industry. Benefits include:
- Significant Cash Prizes: Rewarding the creative excellence and hard work of the top designers.
- Extensive Publicity: Winners will gain invaluable exposure through mentions in leading newspapers and luxury fashion magazines.
- Industry Exposure: Instant access to key players and potential buyers in the gem and jewellery sector.
- Stylized Photo Shoot: A professional shoot of all winning designs to further showcase the exceptional work.
The competition is a golden opportunity for designers to showcase their innovative ideas and gain recognition on a prestigious platform.
The awards process involves rigorous selection criteria, where entries are evaluated by a panel of esteemed judges. These judges are industry experts with deep knowledge and appreciation for the artisanal world. Their discerning eye ensures that only the most exceptional and innovative work is honored.
Submission Details
Designers interested in participating are encouraged to submit their sketches by October 31, 2024. The Artisan Jewellery Design Awards, organized by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and powered by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), aims to celebrate and promote excellence in jewellery design.
Embrace this unique opportunity to challenge your creative boundaries and contribute to the evolution of Indian jewellery design.
For more information about the awards and how to participate, visit The Artisan Awards.
