The Tanzanite Foundation has announced the winners of the first Tanzanite Celebration of Life Jewellery Design Awards. Designers from over 20 countries entered the competition. Designs were judged on their interpretation of the theme “Be Born to Tanzanite,” along with beauty, practicality, and originality. There were five design categories: Luxury Brands, Independent Designers, Fashion Accessories, Manufacturers/Retailers, and Rising Stars.

Among the U.S. winners were Maria Canale (Independent Designers category), Zoltan David (Manufacturer/Retailer category), and Kwiat (Luxury Brands category). Stuart Weitzman, shoe designer to the stars, collaborated with Le Vian to create a tanzanite-bejeweled shoe that won in the Fashion Accessories category. Other top names in the competition included British designers Stephen Webster, Shaun Leane, and Johnny Rocket.

The awards ceremony will take place at the New York Public Library, Jan. 22, 2007. The collection of 23 winning pieces will be showcased in a traveling tour of the major international trade shows as well as galleries and museums.