New York City. Dec. 12, 2023. The Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA) has announced the winners of its 14th Annual International Pearl Design Competition (IPDC).
On Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2028, judges inspected 12 live U.S. Division finalists’ pieces as well as entries in both the International and Student Division at the GIA campus in Manhattan.
This year’s judges included Jean Francois Bibet, workshop and production director at Cartier, Patricia Faber, co-owner of Aaron Faber Gallery in Manhattan (whose store will show and offer for sale the U.S. winning entries and the finalists of Faber’s choice); Severine Ferrari of Engagement 101 online magazine; Maria Tsangaropoulos, supervisor of instruction at GIA’s New York City campus; and Peggy Grosz, senior vice president, Assael.
After votes were tallied, seven winners were chosen across six categories in the U.S. Division. One winner in the Student Division was also selected, as well as six winners in the International Division.
Winners in the U.S. Division are as follows:
President’s Trophy. This top prize is given to the piece deemed the most beautiful and original design concept that is well made, celebrates pearls, and leaves a lasting impression of pearls as must-have gems.
Winner: Echo earrings in 14k white gold and 14k, 18k, and 22k yellow gold with an ombré effect of white Akoya pearls graduating in size and color into golden South Sea pearls (22 total) with 2.40 cts. t.w. diamonds by Adam Neeley Designs
Luster Award. These winning pieces represent the evolution of best-selling pearl jewelry designs bearing covetable and marketable concepts with wide appeal for the marketplace. . New for 2022: these pieces must retail for $3,000 or less.
Winner: Amor ring in 22k gold with a 17.23 mm South Sea Mabé pearl by Amanda Rich of Stratford & Isabella, $3,000 retail
Visionary Award for Classic Styles. This winning piece is attractive, creative, and salable, championing a fresh look for an iconic pearl style—strands, studs, bracelets, or a ring—to help change the dated perception of pearls in the market.
Tie!
Winner 1: Harmony ring in 18k yellow gold with a 15.58 x 13.54 mm white cultured South Sea pearl, 1.27 cts. t.w. G-color, VS-clarity diamonds, and 0.65 ct. t.w. black color-enhanced diamonds by Robin Callahan Designs
Winner 2: Daphne Toi & Moi ring in 18k yellow gold with a 13 by 13 mm button-shape golden South Sea pearl, a 9.14 ct. carved peridot, 1.47 cts. t.w. akoya pearls, and 0.42 ct. t.w. diamonds by Stella Flame Jewelry
Wedding Day Pearls. These winning pieces best capture what a contemporary bride or groom might wear on their wedding day.
Winner: Lacey necklace in 18k yellow gold with white South Sea pearls, 13.26 cts. t.w. pink sapphires, and 6.21 cts. t.w. pink sapphires by Aloha Pearls
Fashion Award. This winning piece features a creative compilation of materials fashioned into a youthful, high-fashion, and original pearl jewelry design that looks as if it came straight from a Paris runway.
Winner: Geometric earrings in 18k rose gold with akoya pearls, cultured freshwater pearls, and ceramic beads by Tariq Riaz Jewelry
Spotlight Award—Multicolor Pearls for 2023. This category focuses on designs where 75 percent of the piece features a combination of three or more colors of any variety of pearl. The design should be attractive, clever, challenge the traditional-looking pearl jewelry aesthetic, entice a non-pearl-lover to start collecting, and serve as a celebration of the many different colors of pearls.
Winner: Melodic Embrace of Love earrings in 18k white gold with 8–8.5 mm akoya cultured pearls, 8.5 – 12.2 mm Tahitian cultured pearls, 2.2 cts. t.w. diamonds, rubies, and blue sapphires by Chaulri
Student Award (for U.S. students only)
This piece of jewelry should be sketched or presented in a CAD rendering and can feature any color, shape, or variety of fine cultured pearls available on the market. The design should be fresh, modern, wearable, and defy outdated thoughts about wearing pearls.
Winner: Gingko necklace in 18k yellow gold and platinum with golden South Sea pearls and white diamonds, featuring a gradation of yellow gold in the leaves by Ashley Tien of GIA, who was inspired by the tree during fall foliage season.
International Division Winners
President’s Trophy. This top prize is given to the piece deemed the most beautiful and original design concept that is well made, celebrates pearls, and leaves a lasting impression of pearls as must-have gems.
Winner: Double Line bracelet in 18k yellow gold with cultured white and black Tahitian South Sea pearls, 5.5–16 mm white and dyed black Akoya pearls, and 2.21 cts. t.w. white diamonds by Melanie Georgacopoulos of London
Luster Award. These winning pieces represent the evolution of best-selling pearl jewelry designs bearing covetable and marketable concepts with wide appeal for the marketplace. . New for 2022: these pieces must retail for $3,000 or less.
Winner: Stars Brooch/Pendant necklace in 18k yellow gold with cultured South Sea pearls, colored sapphires, and diamonds by Tammy Yang Lu of Shanghai Maikan Trading Co., LTD, in Shanghai, $3,000 retail
Visionary Award for Classic Styles. This winning piece is attractive, creative, and salable, championing a fresh look for an iconic pearl style—strands, studs, bracelets, or a ring—to help change the dated perception of pearls in the market.
Winner 1: Bubble ring in 18k rose gold with three 10–14 mm cultured freshwater Edison pearls by Sonja Hunefeld of Odinski in the Netherlands
Wedding Day Pearls. These winning pieces best capture what a contemporary bride or groom might wear on their wedding day.
Winner: Ocean Serenade earrings in 18k yellow gold with 7.5 mm–12 mm cultured golden South Sea pearls by Tanya Sharma of C Krishniah Chetty Group of Jewellers in Bangalore, India
Fashion Award. This winning piece features a creative compilation of materials fashioned into a youthful, high-fashion, and original pearl jewelry design that looks as if it came straight from a Paris runway.
Winner: Floral Cascade Ear cuff in 18k white gold with barrel-shape amethyst and cultured gray and pale lavender 2.5 mm–7 mm South Sea pearls by Anandan M of C Krishniah Chetty Group of Jewellers in Bangalore, India
Spotlight Award—Multicolor Pearls for 2023. This category focuses on designs where 75 percent of the piece features a combination of three or more colors of any variety of pearl. The design should be attractive, clever, challenge the traditional-looking pearl jewelry aesthetic, entice a non-pearl-lover to start collecting, and serve as a celebration of the many different colors of pearls.
Winner: Nebula necklace in platinum with 6 mm cultured akoya pearls and a range of sizes and colors of cultured South Sea and Tahitian pearls by Nanz Aalund of Nanz Aalund Art Jewelry in Alberta, Canada
All the U.S. winners and these U.S. Finalist pieces will go on display and sale at the Aaron Faber Gallery in New York City:
- Bubble ring by Robin Callahan Designs
- Leaf earrings by Rosario Garcia of R & E Garcia Inc.
- Cultured white freshwater pearl ring by Jonathan Bassett of Transcendental Jewelry
- Purlieu necklace by Annie Van Lenten of Ava Lenten Jewelry
Winners receive certificates, inclusion in Volume I 2024 of #thisispearldigital magazine, and will be fêted at the 2024 Pearl Soirée in Tucson during the February gem fairs.
Entries that receive certificates for being finalists are:
- Bubble ring by Robin Callahan Designs
- Leaf earrings by Rosario Garcia of R & E Garcia Inc.
- Cultured white freshwater pearl ring by Jonathan Bassett of Transcendental Jewelry
- Purlieu necklace by Annie Van Lenten of Ava Lenten Jewelry
- Sunflower necklace by Aloha Pearls
Faber is also pulling in 10 other live entries from the contest that, while not amassing enough votes to make it to Finalist status, will be of much interest to her customer base. This was a wonderful surprise to these individuals, who could still see their jewels sold at the Gallery.
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CPAA is a nonprofit founded in 1957. The group comprises the finest manufacturers, wholesalers, dealers, and suppliers of cultured pearls in the United States, and its goals are to improve retail marketability of pearls and cultivate demand among consumers. Through promotion, education, public relations, and unwavering commitment to the category, CPAA aims to inspire an authentic passion for all cultured pearl varieties. For more information about becoming a certified pearl expert, please visit PearlsAsOne.org. To learn more about the Cultured Pearl Association of America, please visit CPAA.org.