Open Group: Best of Show Award & Craftsmanship and Technology Award for “We are ONE” by Jane Li. Her entry features a school of fish swimming elegantly in the sea, symbolizing the power of unity. The brooch features larger fish, with glittering diamond chips and colored gemstones on their bodies coming to life like a group of smaller fish caught in the light.
Open Group: Best of Show Award for “Motivate” by Ko Wing-yu. Her entry emphasizes unity. It presents the idea that “unity is important for a country; gathered hearts are important for unity.” The design plays with the concept of rings, interlocking bands of red, blue and green gemstones with the diamond-studded central core of the ring, creating a highly dynamic design.
Student Group: Champion for “Silk Road” by Cris Gao from the Hong Kong Baptist University’s School of Continuing Education. Inspired by the classic Chinese blue-and-white porcelain that was exported along the Silk Road to Europe. this necklace combines a qipao collar with elegant blue-and-white porcelain patterns to highlight the beauty of the two heritages, demonstrating her creativity through a combination of rich materials.
Student Group: First Runner-up for “Bridge” by Lam Yuet-wan from the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE). Her design is inspired by a bridge structure, with the red gemstone in the centre symbolizing a heart that represents power, unity and cohesion.
The winners in the 20th Hong Kong Jewellery Design Competition showcase the skills of some of Hong Kong’s most talented young jewelers. This year’s competition spotlighted local designers’ creativity and craftsmanship under the theme “Be Connected, Be United.” Among the creative entries were a school of fish assembled on a brooch, symbolizing the power of unity, and a mix of Chinese and Western tableware miniatures set on a pair of earrings to represent cultural integration. Jointly organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Hong Kong Jewellers’ & Goldsmiths’ Association, Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association, Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers' Association and the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, China, the competition has served to identify many budding talents and promote Hong Kong jewelry products to an international audience over the last two decades. The latest edition of the competition received close to 200 entries in two categories: the Open Group and Student Group. The panel consisted of seven judges from various sectors, who evaluated the entries based on: (1) creativity and innovation; (2) aesthetics, craftsmanship and wearability; (3) topic relevance; and (4) marketability (applicable only to the Open Group).
By Fatimah Sewani Gwalani
Open Group: Best of Show Award for “Enjoy” by Chu Wai-on. Her earrings features different designs on each side. One side of the earrings is platinum-colored, featuring miniatures of Chinese tableware such as teapots, bowls, plates, chopsticks and soup spoons, while the other is rose gold-colored, featuring Western tableware miniatures such as diamond-shaped teapots, cups, plates, long spoons and forks. The blending of Chinese and Western culinary elements signifies how sincere cooperation can help to create a win-win situation.
Student Group: Second Runner-up for “Satisfy” by Yeung Ling from the School for Higher and Professional Education (DILWL), whose brooch incorporates architectural elements. Her design materializes the concept of an economic pillar through geometric shapes, curves and straight lines.