The Ultimate Design Contest recently concluded the judging of Phase I of the contest in which the competition called for jewelers across the country to design a ladies size seven ring using oval rhodolite cabochon or an oval aquamarine as the centrepiece.  The first phase of the competition narrowed down the submissions into two categories, CAD and hand drawings, with five semi finalists in each.  Entries were judged on: Professionalism and skill of presentation, Creativity and design, and Wear-ability.  Congratulations to the following Phase II finalist who will move on to build the ring. 

CAD Rendering finalists:

·         Lisa Kirkawa of Kirkawa Jewelry Designs in Tucson, AZ

·         Mark Lauer of Mark Michael Diamond designs in Maple Grove, MN 

·         Tom Lineberger of Goldworks in Garden City, KS

·         Mark Maxwell of Mark Maxwell Designs in Vista,  CA

·         Zoltan David in Bee Cave, TX  

Hand Rendering finalists:

·         Brandon Justice of Stall and Kessler in Lafayette, IN 

·         Aleksander Chulyakov of Quick fix jewelers in Brooklyn,  NY

·         Gary C Wyant of G C Wyant Fine Jewelry in Indiana, PA

·         Gregory Crawford   (two submissions chosen) of Gregory Crawford Design in Bolingbroke, GA 

Two finalists from each category will be selected by the judges and flown to the show where the show attendees will vote on the grand prize winner for the overall competition.

See below for full details of the competition, including the rules and regulations.

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JANUARY 29, 2010!

This design competition is open to all.  The competition will take jewelry designs from rendering to the finished pieces of jewelry. There will be elimination of designs through a competitive process. This will be done in two phases. The first submission will be of a rendering (hand or CAD).  The top ten designs renderings will be selected as semi finalists.  They will have seven weeks to complete their jewelry items, and submit them for final phase of judging.

(All ten finished jewelry pieces will be on display at The SMART Jewelry Show).

Prior to the show four finalists will be selected by a panel of judges from the ten submitted finished pieces.  These four finalists will be guests of The SMART Jewelry Show.  Show attendees will vote on the finalist’s jewelry pieces for first and second place in both the CAD and traditional rendering categories.  One champion will take top honors in The Ultimate Design Competition.

This is a “Top Chef” kind of competition including traditional hand rendered designs and CAD designs.  Competitors are given a choice of either a 9x7 mm oval rhodolite cabochon or a 9x7 mm faceted oval aquamarine as the centerpiece of a size seven ladies ring.  The featured aquamarine or rhodolite garnet will be provided by Gem 2000.  Accent gems, design, metals and manufacturing techniques are left open to the designer.

The goal is to see designers and bench jewelers show off their skills and creativity within a common theme.

There is an entry fee of $75 for the first design and $50 for any additional design submitted by the same entrant.

Click here to print and complete the entry form.

The item to be designed is a size seven women’s ring.  The ring must include the provided 9x7 mm faceted oval aquamarine or the 9x7 mm oval cabochon rhodolite garnet.

The ring may be made using any manufacturing techniques, accent stones or metal the designer would like. (All work, metal, accent stones and supplies are at the designer’s expense).  Entry must include a brief description of the process of construction.

Entrants chosen for the final phase, construction, will be provided the center stones.

SUBMIT RENDERING OF ORIGINAL DESIGN

Contestants will produce a rendering by hand or CAD of a women’s ring.  Renderings submitted will be placed in one of two categories:

Category 1 – Hand rendering
Category 2 – CAD rendering

Five finalists will be selected from each of the two categories by a panel of judges.  This will provide ten finalists for Phase 2 of the competition.

• Judging criteria for rendering include:
• Professionalism and skill of presentation
• Creativity and design
• Wear-ability

All entries and entry fees must be received by Friday, January 8, 2010 (extended to January 29, 2010).  Entries may be sent electronically to udc@smartjewelryshow.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Or delivered to:
The Ultimate Design Contest
The SMART Jewelry Show   
45 West 45th Street, Suite 808
New York, NY 10036
(212) 981-9625

Judging is completed by Friday, January 15, 2010 (extended to February 8, 2010). Finalists are notified and posted on the website www.smartjewelryshow.com. 

FABRICATION OF DESIGN

The ten finalists will be provided with the featured gemstone to create the design of the rendering they submitted.  The choice of stones is either a 9x7 mm oval cabochon rhodolite garnet or a 9x7 mm faceted oval aquamarine.

The ten finalists will manufacture the design they submitted using the provided gemstone and the metal of their choice.  (The finalists complete their selected design at their own expense. Accent stones, metals and labor costs are the responsibility of the entrant.)

All entrants must do 50% percent of the work on the entry piece and provide a description of how the piece was constructed.

Finished item will become the property of the contestant at the conclusion of the contest.

Ship finished item to:
The Ultimate Design Contest
The SMART Jewelry Show   
45 West 45th Street, Suite 808
New York, NY 10036
212.981.9625

All finished pieces must be received by Friday, March 19, 2010

The judges will select 2 finalists from the finished pieces for each of the two categories, hand rendering and CAD, to move to Phase 3 of the contest.

The four finalists will receive an expense paid trip to The SMART Jewelry Show.  (Expenses include coach airfare and provided hotel for two nights).

All finished designs will be on display at The SMART Jewelry Show, April 24-26, 2010.

COMPLETION OF JUDGING - The SMART Jewelry Show

Show attendees will be asked to cast a vote for the overall winner.  Votes will also determine a winner and first place in each of the two categories.

It is a combination of the judges’ pre-show selection of finalists and the show attendee vote will determine the “Ultimate” winner of the contest.  (Think of the “Dancing with the Stars” judging process where a combination of the judges’ considerations and the popular vote determine the winners).

Judging Criteria of Jewelry Item Includes
• Skill in execution of design
• How closely the item matches the rendering
• Technical merit of design and execution.
• Wear-ability

Contest winner will be announced on 1 PM, Monday, April 26, the final day of The SMART Jewelry Show. Trophies will be provided for:

• First place CAD design 
• First place hand rendered design
• Second place CAD design
• Second place hand rendered design
• First place/over-all, Champion, winner from Phase 3 participants

Completed items are the property of the designer at the conclusion of The SMART Jewelry Show.

First place/overall champion will have their winning design featured on the cover of INSTORE magazine.

Click here to print and complete the entry form.