Best Emerging Talent In Jewellery Design Celebrated At Dubai International Jewellery Week Awards Ceremony

Outstanding emerging and professional design talent has been honoured at one of the most prestigious events in the Middle East. Now in its seventh year, the Jewellery Design Awards, which is part of Dubai International Jewellery Week, saw top designers in the UAE and beyond recognised for their achievements in jewellery design at an official glittering ceremony held in Dubai on Thursday, 10 December.
Promising local and international designers were awarded a prestigious accolade and access to a vast network of jewellery professionals and enthusiasts. A collection of the winning designs are also on display at the Dubai International Jewellery Week, which ran until Saturday 12 December.
Cannelle Poncin Germain, winner of the Design Award Category, commented: “I am so excited to have won this Award! Months of hard work have gone into the design, preparation and creation for my piece, and so it’s an honour for this to now come to life. Whilst I am from France, I have always been fascinated by the opportunities that Dubai affords, and the city has a very special place in my heart. It was great to be recognised by such prestigious judges at the ceremony and I’m looking forward to continuing my connection with the UAE as a result.”
Amal Alzahrani, who won the Arabic Influenced Jewellery Design Award Category, for her design entitled Al Adiah commented: “As a local aspiring designer, it means too much to me to be honoured amongst respected judges in their field in the Middle East. The region provides me with so much inspiration, and is so glad and proud to be a part of Dubai International Jewellery Week. My design is influenced by a cultural tale, and I am so proud to see the creation of my piece. I am also honoured to know that my effort and design has been recognised by such an illustrious panel. It has given me the motivation to take it to the next level, and be even more creative and diligent.”
Some of the leading authorities on jewellery design came together to judge and support the competition.The “Queen of Jewellery in the Middle East”, Maha Al Sibai, who was also among the panel of judges and was involved with manufacturing the winning designs said: “It has been a pleasure to create some of these award winning pieces and it must be very special for the winners to see their work come alive. The entries this year were very strong, with each design having a story behind it that has driven the creative thought process. The Dubai International Jewellery Week, with its international profile is an excellent platform for them to showcase their talent and we are proud to support it. Some of the winning designs are also being showcased through our boutique in theWafi Mall.”
Amongst the other judges of the award were Nirupa Bhatt, who heads the operations for India and Middle East of Gemmological Institute of America (GIA), a non-profit organisation considered to be the world’s foremost authority in gemmology. Also on the panel Seyed Mohammad Mortazavi, leading Iranian jewellery designer, Nader Freiha, managing director and founder of UAE-based MPP-ME Media, the publishers of “Arabian Watches & Jewellery” Magazine and Rizwan Ali Mahmood, a jewellery specialist with more than 20 years of experience in the business.
In the ‘Emerging Designers Award Category’, the winners are Amal Alzahrani, for her design entitled “Al Adiah”, who won the Arabic Influenced Jewellery Design Award Category. Cannelle Poncin Germain was the best in her category for her design entitled “Lucky Fish” for the Asian /Far East Influenced Jewellery Design Award Category, and Tapas Bera’s winning design is entitled “Noor-e-Minara” and was crowned winner of the Innovative Jewellery Design Award Category.
The Professional Group Award Category also had a series of winners. Indika Wijayarathna, won the Festive-Inspired Jewellery Design Award Category with the design entitled “Together We”. Vaishal Jariwala won for the design entitled “A Cause You Believe In” for the Bridal Jewellery Set Design Award Category. Julius Dela Cruz also won for his design entitled” Altitude” in the Futuristic Jewellery Award Category. Mohammad Adyalchi won for his winning design entitled “One Genius Piece” in the CADCAM Technology Award Category, and finally Ronaldo Buensalida won the Objet D’Art. Award Category with his design entitled “Symphony”.
Each winner of the Jewellery Design Awards has received a trophy and certificate as well as a GIA Accredited Jewellery Professional Diploma course sponsored by GIA Middle East.