Hong Kong Jewellery Design Competition Winners Unveiled

19 February 2016 – The results of the 17^th Hong Kong Jewellery Design Competition were announced yesterday (18 February) during the press conference for the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem and Pearl Show. The theme of this year’s competition was “Harmony”. Designers submitted works representing the diligence, can-do spirit and cultural diversity of Hong Kong people, which are the foundations of Hong Kong’s prosperity and dynamism. A total of 277 competition entries were received.

The competition was jointly organised 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 Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, China.

Winners of the Open Group and Student Group were selected by a judging panel, which evaluated the entries based on creativity and innovation, aesthetics, craftsmanship and wearability and relevance to the theme. Open Group entries were also judged on marketability.

Open Group: Jewellery with meaning
Three Best of Show awards were presented in the Open Group. Perched atop a two finger ring, Ava Chan’s winning work, “Bird of Joy”, features an 18K gold bird and a flower made of diamonds and jade. There is a story behind this design: The Bird of Joy came to this city from a faraway place. It meets a flower of love and the two live happily and harmoniously on this land.

The two other Best of Show winners were both earrings. Designer Chan Hang-kit played on the fact that the human ear is shaped like half of a heart, and wanted to remind people that listening is as much about using one’s ears as one’s heart. Each of Ms Chan’s “Sound of Love” earrings is shaped like an ear and made with 18K red and white gold, adorned with diamonds. The combination of two precious metals signifies the need to listen to the voices of different races and social classes, and to respect different cultures and aspirations.

“The World Garden” designed by Li Sin-pui was the other Best of Show award winner. These earrings are of 18K rose gold, white diamonds, pink agates and pink opals. The left earring has the curve of an ear, with pink agates, pink opals, and white diamonds arranged in an elegant floral pattern, while the right earring is fitted with a slim tassel and a small floral pattern, a standout work accentuating its asymmetrical design. The designer explained that Hong Kong is like a world garden, where people of different cultures and ethnicities live side-by-side and flourish like flowers in a garden. This diversity is also what makes Hong Kong an important hub and prosperous international metropolis.

Student Group: Unconventional designs 
To encourage more young people and aspiring jewellery designers to join the industry, the competition’s Student Group category welcomes students of institutions registered in Hong Kong. Betsy Chan, from Hong Kong Baptist University’s School of Continuing Education, was the group’s champion. For her necklace, “Hand in Hand”, Ms Chan used leather and figurines made from different coloured precious metals to represent people of different races, religions and backgrounds joining hands to create a better future for Hong Kong.

The quality of this year’s entries was high, and for the first time in the competition’s history, there were two 1^st Runners-up. Kwok Ying-tung, a Hong Kong Design Institute student, produced a necklace entitled “Bauhinia Blakeana”. The piece is inspired by the city’s Bauhinia floral emblem and embellished with different coloured petals to signify Hong Kong’s cultural diversity. She also included local landmark the Bank of China Tower in silver and crystals, to enhance the Hong Kong identity of the design.

The other 1^st Runner-up award went to Kelly Mak, from the Gemological Institute of America (Hong Kong), for her pendant entitled “Unity”. The five prominent enamel pandas of different sizes symbolise the diversity of Hong Kong’s population. The largest panda’s body is a Tahitian pearl, which Ms Mak chose for its colourful overtone to represent Hong Kong’s signature skyline and reputation as “The Pearl of the Orient”. The designer adorned the top of the pendant with an aquamarine agate as a finishing touch.

Craftsmanship and Technology Award
Aside from the Open Group and Student Group, all the shortlisted entries also competed for the Craftsmanship and Technology Award, which recognises excellence in jewellery craftsmanship of the production team and sponsoring company. This year’s award went to “Butterfly in the City”, a brooch/pendant designed by Ho Siu-chong and sponsored by Cheng & Cheung Co. (HK) Ltd. This butterfly-shaped, dual-function brooch and pendant jewellery was made using 18K yellow gold and decorated with rubies, green garnet, pink sapphire, yellow diamonds, brown diamonds and white crystals. The exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail can be seen even in the scales on the wings. The wings also move with a light touch on the ruby, signifying that Hongkongers can fly high and create a more harmonious Hong Kong.

Winning works to be displayed at next month’s Jewellery Show
All winners of the Student and Open Groups received cash prizes. Winners of the Open Group will also be sponsored by the Hong Kong Japan Business Co-operation Committee to attend a five-day study course organised by the Hiko Mizuno College of Jewellery in Japan. The winning works will also be exhibited and promoted at the 33^rd Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, which takes place from 3 to 7 March at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Hong Kong International Jewellery Show: http://www.hktdc.com/hkjewelleryshow

Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:

Joe Kainz     Tel: (852) 2584 4216           Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org

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About the HKTDC
A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and services providers. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.