The first annual Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewellery Design was presented on February 2nd to Gemological Institute of America (GIA) graduate Catherine Zheng. The competition – open to students who successfully completed the GIA Jewellery Design course in 2017 – recognises artistic excellence in jewellery design.
Zheng was one of 12 finalists from seven GIA schools whose hand-rendered designs were judged by a committee comprising known industry design, manufacturing, jewellery retail and jewellery publication experts. The Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation sponsored the award as a way to inspire budding jewellery designers and honour the work of the renowned jewellery design house’s founder, Gianmaria Buccellati.
“We are thrilled to administer the competition for the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award. This opportunity lets our jewellery design students showcase the hard work that they have done throughout the programme and highlight what they have learned,” said Elizabeth Brehmer, director of Jewellery Manufacturing Arts operations.
GIA graduate Catherine Zheng was honoured with the award for her rendering of an Art Deco-inspired pendant necklace. Zheng, who studied at GIA’s Carlsbad school, received her GIA Jewellery Design certificate in 2017.
“This necklace is inspired by my favourite time period – Art Deco. It has very iconic and identical geometric lines to create a clean and sharp look. But at the same time it is also very feminine,” said Zheng. “I think this piece captured a great balance between strength and elegance. It makes this piece stand out by combining elements that are both masculine and feminine.”
This year’s contestants included students from GIA’s Carlsbad, Hong Kong, India, New York, London, Taiwan and Thailand schools. The designs were original, handrendered works painted according to GIA’s Jewellery Design curriculum and completed during the course. The pieces then went through several phases of judging and were ultimately evaluated by a panel of industry experts. The finalists’ designs were on display and the recipient of the award was announced at the annual GIA alumni event held during the AGTA Gem Fair in Tucson.