The World Jewellery Design Awards (WADA) stated in a news release that it has announced the top 100 jewellery designers for the 2024-25 season.
The awards, recognized as the first truly global jewellery design competition, provide a platform for emerging and established designers to gain international recognition.
The competition, which accepts submissions worldwide, begins with theme-based designs and culminates in the creation of real gemstone pieces. This process ensures that each design showcases the highest level of artistry and craftsmanship.
The 1st Judges’ Conference of WADA Season 2 took place on June 10, 2024, at the SO/Uptown Hotel in Dubai.
The panel of judges was chaired by Dr. Gaetano Cavelieri, President of the World Jewellery Confederation, and included prominent figures such as Sabyasachi Ray (India), Tamjid Abdullah (UAE), Noora Jamsheer (Bahrain), Sonia Soltani (Israel), and Rachel Sahar (UAE). They selected the top 100 designers across 11 categories, including wedding jewellery, men’s jewellery, and accessories.
Founder and Managing Director of WADA Awards, Tarun Jain, emphasized the event’s mission to recognize and nurture talent in the jewellery industry. The competition aims to reward designers and help them build successful careers.
This season, the WADA Awards saw a significant increase in participation, with 400 designers from 40 countries, compared to 300 designers from 31 countries last year. The highlighted gemstone for this season is the Blue Sapphire, with the theme “Life Underwater.” Last year’s theme was “Beauty of Nature at Sunrise,” featuring Emeralds.
The WADA Awards stand out for their inclusivity. They have a low participation fee and accept various design formats, allowing designers from diverse backgrounds to participate. The competition’s website reaches 75,000 professionals across 159 countries.
With Phase 1 results announced, the next step involves converting the nominated designs into 3D CAD files, using licensed software to ensure quality and ethics. Phase 2 is scheduled for August 2024 at a new international location, where 55 winners in 11 categories will be announced.
The WADA Awards, organized by the World Academy of Design and founded by Tarun Jain and Mahima Verma, aim to foster creativity and excellence in the jewellery industry. The awards are a movement to elevate the art of jewellery design globally.
Learn more in this news release.
