Versatile jewellery designers from across India bag top laurels at 7th Artisan Jewellery Design Awards

Six winners were chosen from among more than 600 participants in the categories of ‘Unusual Materials’ and ‘Objet Trouvé’, and awarded at a function held recently in Mumbai

Mumbai: The 7th edition of The Artisan Jewellery Design Awards organized by The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) recognized the work of versatile jewellery designers from across India at an awards ceremony held recently. Actor Sonam Kapoor was the Chief Guest at the function.

Six winners were chosen from among more than 600 participants in the categories of ‘Unusual Materials’ and ‘Objet Trouvé’.  The winners from the ‘Unusual Materials’ category are Aparna Kesarkar from Laxmi Dia Jewel Pvt. Ltd (Winner), Ahalya Vijayakumar from Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers (First Runner Up), and Dipali Ghadigaonkar of KP Sanghvi Jewels Pvt. Ltd (Second Runner Up). The winners from the Objet Trouvé’ category are Yamini Devasree from Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers (Winner), Rashmi Kaushik from Kiran Jewels (First Runner Up), and Vijay Indulkar from Walking Tree Venture Pvt. Ltd.  (Second Runner-Up).

The GJEPC had announced two unconventional themes for the 7th edition of The Artisan Jewellery Design Awards 2024: ‘Unusual Materials’ and ‘Objet Trouvé.’ These themes encouraged designers to think out-of-the-box and blend alternative and precious aspects to create avant-garde fine jewellery.  

The first theme, ‘Objet Trouvé’ (Found Objects) explored art crafted from openly visible yet frequently altered objects that don’t typically serve as art materials due to their non-art function.

The second theme, ‘Unusual Materials’ encouraged designers to create a dialogue between the familiar and the unexpected by combining contrasting materials with precious metals. Participants were instructed to design a piece of jewellery that combines unusual materials – such as cement, titanium, wood, porcelain, bamboo, slate, meteorite, glass, recycled plastic, leather, etc., – with at least 50% precious material. 

Special design awards in specific categories were also given to jewellers who are creating excellence through design innovation in retail and manufacturing and leaving a mark globally through cutting-edge designs. The winners from the categories are Rahul Jhaveri of Studio Renn, who received the Global Indian Jewellery Designer award. Farah Khan received the Design Excellence Award, Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas Jewellers received the award for Jewellery Design Excellence in Retail, while Intergem Exports (YS 18) bagged the award for Jewellery Design Excellence in Manufacturing.            

Vipul Shah, Chairman of GJEPC, said, “The Artisan Jewellery Design Awards, now in its 7^th edition, stands as a beacon for creative expression in the jewellery design realm. It offers a coveted platform for talented individuals to unleash their creativity and showcase their innovative designs. Each year, this competition brings forth exclusive, never-seen-before masterpieces that underscore the boundless innovation within our industry. Through this competition, our aim is to redefine the landscape of jewellery design and elevate India as a premier design centre. Aligned with the government’s ‘Make in India’ campaign, The Artisan Awards reinforces GJEPC’s dedication to positioning India as a leader in design innovation.”

Milan Chokshi, Convener, Promotions & Marketing, GJEPC, said, “Each year, we strive to introduce a distinctive theme, challenging participants by collaborating with curators to elevate their engagement. This prestigious award serves as a driving force, inspiring designers, budding students, and manufacturers to create thematic jewels.”

Retail Jeweller India News