ICA & UBM Asia launch jewelry design contest
By http://www.jewellerynewsasia.com
The International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) and UBM Asia launched at the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair the IU Awards – a gem-cutting and jewellery design competition that is open to gem cutters and jewellery designers worldwide. “IU” stands for the initials of ICA and UBM Asia, and symbolises the cooperation between the two entities.
Considered the first global competition of its kind, the IU Awards has two categories: "Gem-Cutting Competition," which has three sub-categories namely "Facetting Design," "Carving" and "Modern Combination Cuts," and "Jewellery Design Competition," which has four sub-categories namely "Wedding," "Formalwear," "Manufacture" and "Theme Concept."
"We are delighted to be partnering with UBM Asia on this initiative since UBM Asia has long been supportive of ICA and the gemstone industry," ICA President Wilson Yuen told a news conference that was held on the sidelines of the June Hong Kong Fair.
The rising popularity of coloured gemstones in high-growth markets like China and other Asian markets only proves that ICA and UBM Asia could not have picked a better time to launch a global gem-cutting and jewelry design competition, UBM Asia President and CEO Jimé Essink said.
"We are thrilled to be working with ICA on this endeavour," said Essink. "With ICA as our partner, we are confident that we will produce a world-class gemstone-cutting and jewellery design competition."
According to Yuen, a seven-member judging panel will conduct the preliminary screening of entries in November 2011. The final round of judging will be held during the June Hong Kong Fair in 2012. A maximum of four prizes with trophies and certificates will be awarded to the category winners. The champion in each sub-category will also be awarded a roundtrip ticket to Hong Kong for the awards presentation ceremony, which will be held during the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2012.
Application forms will be available at the September Hong Kong Fair 2011. It can also be downloaded from the websites of UBM Asia’s trade fairs after this year’s September Hong Kong Fair.
Applicants are required to submit their application forms, design sketches and application fee ($50) to UBM Asia by the end of October 2011. The finalists will be notified towards the end of December 2011. All finalists are required to submit their finished pieces to UBM Asia by mid-May 2012.
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