The Sanvalentinoro design contest, which originated in 1992 in the Umbria region of Italy, will become an international competition next year.

The contest honors St. Valentine, the patron saint of lovers, and reflects the traditional meaning of jewelry as an expression of love. St. Valentine—who, according to legend, married a Christian and a pagan in defiance of a marriage ban instituted by the Roman emperor Claudius II—was born in the Umbria region.

Unlike many international design contests, the competition in the Sanvalentinoro contest is firmly rooted in one theme—fine jewelry—and is linked to this specific region. The inspirational theme of the competition is “Jewels as a Messenger of Love.”

The competition is open to goldsmith artisans, creators of jewelry, designers, and students in the field of jewelry design. Entrants must submit an original, unpublished design that has never been presented. A color photograph of the design or of the finished jewelry also is acceptable.

A panel of international judges will choose the finalists, and the project’s sponsor companies, which include some of the leading names in the international jewelry industry, will create the finalists’ designs.

The jury will evaluate entries on the basis of innovation, aesthetics, practicality, and wearability as well as interpretation of the theme.

The first-prize winner will be awarded the “Sanvalentinoro Prize” along with 25,000 euros. The award ceremony will take place in Terni on Feb. 14, 2003—Saint Valentine’s Day.

Coinciding with the award ceremony will be a show exhibiting the jewels created for the contest as well as their original graphic designs. This exhibition will visit major international fairs such as Vicenza, Basel, Las Vegas, and New York.

For more information, contact the Organizing Committee at (39 07) 5 972 9638, fax (39 07) 597 1175, or e-mail: spoleto@monilia.it.