Staff

Gemological Institute of America student Kelly Murray models a Gold Virtuosi Award-winning design during the grand opening gala of an exhibit of this year’s winning pieces. The event took place at GIA headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif., on Dec. 6. Ten suites of jewelry were worn by InStyle magazine models and GIA students for an audience of more than 275 at the special preview party. The award-winning pieces were added to display cases when the exhibit opened to the public on Dec. 7. Dubbed the “Oscars” for the gold jewelry industry, the World Gold Council’s Gold Virtuosi Design Awards recognize the best designs in gold jewelry from around the world. The 30 winners from the year 2000 competition were selected from more than 3,000 design sketches submitted by artists in 34 countries.