The Cultured Pearl Association of America, Inc., based in Providence, R.I., announced the winners of its 2013–14 International Pearl Design Contest today.
Peter B. Bazar, president of the CPAA and of Imperial, told the media that he was “very happy with the success of this year’s competition,” which had entries from 15 different countries. Winners are as follows:
President’s Trophy: The highest honor, awarded to a design that unanimously captivated judges as the best of the best
Wave by Mark Schneider, Long Beach, Calif.
Luster Award: The piece judged most marketable of all entries in the competition. This design will have the most overall appeal for the retail marketplace.
Obi by Stanislav Drokin, Ukraine
Designer’s Award: The entry that takes pearls to the far corners of the imagination and beyond
Midnight Comet by Darryl Alexander of Gilbert, Ariz.
Brilliance Award: The entry that best illustrates the spectrum of pearl colors in the most beautiful way
Big Wave by Philip Bouasse of Montreal
Orient Award: The entry that would inspire a newfound affinity for cultured pearls
Lunar Eclipse by Hsiao Ching Lee of Taipei City, Taiwan
Visionary Award: Entry that redefines the iconic pearl strand and shifts the perception of cultured pearls for today’s buyer
Lily Pearl by Chi Huynh, Galatea: Jewelry by Artist of San Dimas, Calif.
Fashion Award: A fun, fresh, and modern design that looks as if it came straight from a runway in Paris (shared by two)
Tahitian Paradise by Vickie Smith of Cheshire, England
Wave by Mark Schneider of Long Beach, Calif.
Wedding Day Pearls: The entry that creates a fantasy wedding theme with pearls, which are synonymous with brides (shared by two)
Wedding Bouquet by Dilly Kirby, Elizabeth Blair Fine Pearls of Harbor Springs, Mich.
Rough Diamonds by Lee Wiser McIntosh, Katura Design of Atlanta
Commendations were also given to 22 entries that demonstrated high standards of achievement in accordance with the judging criteria. These can be viewed here.
Judges for this year’s contest included Jennifer Heebner, JCK senior editor, Janet Goldman, Fragments founder, Olga Gonzalez, Pietra PR founder, Jean François Bibet, Cartier head of high jewelry, Stephanie Nicolet, The Knot publisher, and Lorraine DePasque, freelance journalist.
For more information, contact Bo Perry at 888-31-PEARL or boperry@cpaa.org.
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