2nd Annual "Future of Design" Business Incubator Contest for Jewelry Designers

ANNOUNCING: The Second Annual Future of Design Business Incubator Contest for Jewelry Designers   Produced by Jeweler’s Resource Bureau & StrategyWerx       Are you the worlds next sensation? A talented jewelry design'preneur that is going to take our industry by storm? This is the only competition evaluating both your designs and business plan  and offers you the opportunity to win a HUGE industry-wide prize package        THE COMPETITION: Described as a game changer, the Future of Design Business competition seeks to discover, promote and catapult the next great jewelry designer into the market.   Applications begin NOW and the winner will be selected during a “Shark Tank”-like live presentation at MJSA Expo New York in NYC on March 12, 2013.  Submissions include our business plan-like application, marketing materials and visuals of your jewelry line. The application includes an in-depth questionnaire that teaches you about strategy and marketing planning along the way -- and gives you plenty of time to compose your answers.   The deadline is January 21st -- and you will need several days to complete your application, say last year's finalists.   Applicants will be judged on their business concept, market feasibility, saleability and aesthetic impact. The winner will be the "total package" destined for greatness. This is an unprecedented competition with a vast level of industry participation, unique judging process and a dream prize package.     Do you have what it takes?   Read more and learn about the application process at:www.FutureofDesignContest.com           Prizes:     Every entrant gets feedback and advice from the judges      Six semi-finalists win: a mentoring date (by phone if in-person isn't possible) with one of our Dream Team designers a feature on NationalJeweler.com      Three finalists also win: trip to NYC to participate in the finale The winner also receives:  sales training, consulting on strategy, financials and technology by StrategyWerx  a booth in globalDESIGN showcase for execptional jewelers in Feb. in Philly  a suite of marketing products from Jeweler's Resource and free membership to JRB's Inner Circle  a booth in the Designer Showcase at the JA NY Show in July  an ad campaign in INDESIGN magazine  photography and ad campaign creation by RSP Media Inclusion in a Jewelry Information Center media tour JVC's Patriot Act Compliance Kit and legal compliance coaching  mentorship by all the judges  promotion and publicity throughout the process  more prizes to be added as new sponsors are secured!     DATES: Application process opens NOW Application deadline is midnight PST January 21st You can work on your online application in a stop-and-start fashion till Dec. 1 Winner selected March 12, 2013     DETAILS: www.FutureofDesignContest.com    It's a business contest, not just a design contest The application process walks you through critical business strategies Every applicant gets a professional critique of/advice on his/her business plans Winner gets hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of goods and services Six semi-finalists get prizes and mentoring with a Dream Team member Three finalists are flown to New York for final judging Live finale, “Shark Tank”-style, at MJSA Expo New York in NYC on March 12, 2013 All are welcome to attend by registering for an MJSA EXPO show badge Unique judging process: Business plan submitted as well as designs  In-depth business questionnaire akin to a marketing plan  Judges interview six semi-finalists live via conference video  Three finalists make live pitch in front of judges & audience in NYC  Vast level of industry participation, probably unprecedented   JUDGES: Cindy Edelstein - Jewelers Resource Bureau /  cindy@jewelersresource.com Andrea Hill – StrategyWerx /  andrea.hill@strategywerx.com Mendel Rotenberg - Fusion Jewelry          ...... and two more to be announced after the new year!   Many of these 2012 Mentoring Dream Team members will reprise their roll:   Gurhan  Erica Courtney  Todd Reed  Lisa Jenks  Robert Lee Morris  Penny Preville     Sponsors:   •    Jeweler's Resource Bureau •    StrategyWerx •    Fusion Jewelry •    MJSA •    JA NY Show •    National Jeweler •    INDESIGN magazine •    RSP Media  •    Jewelry Information Center •   Jeweler's Vigilance Committee                                      ...... and more coming!       See website for eligibility and to sign-up for future information from The Future of Design     www.FutureOfDesignContest.com

Cultured Pearl Assoc. International Pearl Design Contest

The Cultured Pearl Association International  Pearl  Design Competition 2012-2013 

You are invited to enter the 3rd Annual International Design Contest, where your self expression for the PEARL is celebrated in the art form of jewelry.

The contest officially launched June 1, 2012 and runs to the September 3, 2012 deadline.  

Winners will be announced on November 1, 2012. 

Winning entries will be on display during the AGTA and JCK shows in 2013.

Celebrating one of the worlds most prized and mysterious gems, this contest invites artistic expression inclusive of ALL pearl varieties.  

Winners will receive award designation along with prestigious recognition from this world wide event. 

 For complete contest details visit www.cpaa.org   or call 888-31-Pearl  

The Cultured Pearl Association of America, Inc is a non profit group founded in 1957, comprised of the finest manufacturers, wholesalers, dealers and suppliers of Cultured Pearls in the  United States .

Our intention is to "cultivate" awareness, interest, demand and successful marketability of Cultured Pearls for the retail community and the consumer level. Through promotion, education, public relations and unwavering commitment we aim to inspire an authentic passion for all Cultured Pearl varieties.

Meet Kimmy & Put Your Best Spring Cocktail Ring Forward!

Kimmy's Winning Entry!

Meet Kimberley Cramer AKA UniqueKimmy - Kimmy was the winner of the very first CrowdJewel Design Contest...this collection brings to mind the saying "like a kid in a candy store"!  That is what it must be like everyday for Kimmy!

PB Cups and M&Ms

1. Tell me a little about you and what drew you to Jewelry Design?

: )   well my name is kimberly cramer i am 21 years  old and i have always loved to make jewelry.  i have a picture of me when i was 4 years old beading a neklace. Even when i was little I used to go to my neighbors houses and sell them my creations.

I love selling and customer service and the entire aspect of running a buisness .

2. OK this is the important part!  Where can we find your goods online? 

in my Etsy Shop:   etsy.com/shop/uniquekimmy

3. Are you using Social Media?  do you think it is beneficial? ...and show us your Social links!

i love social media!  i love connecting with customers its the future of networking!

find me on Facebook at:  facebook.com/bakerybling

Gum Balls and Gummy Bears

4. I am personally loving the flash mob feel of CrowdJewels quickie Contests - what are your thoughts?

 I like the contest and i love the rush you get seeing the votes climb higher and higher its like a great sports game...and of course winning feels great!

5. As the "Crowd" Winner - what technique do you feel helps you get the contest out to the largest group of your followers?

i think updating your followers and being connected with people gave me a slight advantage in this contest.  i always make sure to post fun things on Facebook to keep my followers interested. 

Networking is what i love to do and i love to spread the word about Bakery Bling Jewelry.

Check out the beta launch of the CrowdJewel website! After months in the works, the site will host its first contest starting   Monday, March 19, 2012 at 12pm PST. Spring Cocktail Rings Our inaugural challenge on the CrowdJewel site is Spring Cocktail Rings!  Contest Brief CrowdJewelers know how to rock a look and aren't afraid to make a statement. Your task is to translate one of Spring's major color stories or graphic trends--Neons, Pastels, Art Deco, Tribal, Under the Sea--into a bold cocktail ring to die for. We're doing things a little differently from our previous contests held on Facebook. Submissions will last 5 days. After the submission period closes, approved submissions will be open to voting, which lasts 5 days, allowing each designer to have the same amount of time for voting. Submissions will not be available to view or vote on until the submission period closes. Be sure to submit in time! What are you waiting for? Check out the site, create a profile and start submitting!

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Reena Ahluwalia Wins the Rio Tinto Diamonds Global Design Competition

Reena Ahluwalia Wins the Rio Tinto Diamonds Global Design Competition

Jewelry to be showcased in Celebrity Suite at the Oscars

(New York, NY) February 20, 2011-- Canadian jewelry designer Reena Ahluwalia was recently honored as an international winner of the prestigious Rio Tinto Diamonds Global Design Competition. Jewelry designers from across the globe were invited to submit designs in four categories: Champagne Diamonds, Silvermist Diamonds™, Canadian Diamonds and Sustainable Jewelry. In late February the winning designs will be showcased at the annual Academy Awards 2012 with a chance to be selected and worn on red carpet by Hollywood’s elite.

After receiving a record number of entries from around the globe, an elite panel of judges from the U.S. jewelry and fashion industries gathered in New York City and reviewed entries from designers from the U.S., Canada, Australia, India, China, and Hong Kong. Nine winners were chosen in total. Reena Ahluwalia, received the prestigious Master Craftsman award in the Canadian Diamonds category.  

Set in 18K white gold, 28.96 carat, "Canoe" Canadian diamonds necklace by Reena Ahluwalia is inspired by a poetic image of the magical Canadian landscape and its pristine white winters. It captures a snapshot of a snow covered canoe in a frozen crystalline lake. “Celebrating the magic and beauty of Canada, my home, is the inspiration for my design. Canoe is a carrier of Canadian myths, a symbol very unique to Canada that represents voyage, harmony with nature, discovery and courage. It is one of the greatest gifts the First Nations people gave to all those who came after. A crystalline perspective, this necklace hopes to capture the luminous magic of the True North,” said Ahluwalia. 



The necklace comes together with two diamond-studded links embracing the neck that represent the fluidity of lake. Irregular intersecting lines, studded with Ideal Square cut diamonds depict the chunks of floating ice. The necklace culminates into a canoe shaped element. “Canoe” has an angled faceted interior, “I wanted the diamonds to reflect on the opposite facets for a dramatic shine and create an icy crystalline look,” said Ahluwalia.

Crossworks Manufacturing Ltd., the largest manufacturer of branded Canadian diamonds in the world, collaborated with Ahluwalia, sponsored manufacturing and provided Canadian diamonds for the “Canoe” necklace.

In a Daily Jewel exclusive Reena answered a couple of questions...

DJ: What does this win mean to you?

"Exciting. I love diamonds, they have been my material of choice throughout, a medium for me to express stories that I want to tell and share"

DJ: What are you looking forward to? "Continuation of my diamond journey and a quest to innovate."

Dylan Dix, Group Executive: Marketing and External Relations, Crossworks Manufacturing Ltd. said “The opportunity to work with both Rio Tinto Diamonds and Reena Ahluwalia to promote Canadian diamonds is a reflection of the partnerships involved in our industry. The support of Rio Tinto of the secondary industry in Canada has created innovation in both polishing and jewelry design. The primary diamonds in the Canoe are the Ideal Square, a patented cut designed by a Canadian company and are set in a beautiful design by a Canadian artist. This is the ultimate reflection of our industry’s goal of celebrating the Canadian diamond pipeline from mine to market”.  

To Ahluwalia, her win, “Is a great opportunity and honor to represent Canadian Diamonds”.

About Rio Tinto Diamonds

Rio Tinto is one of the world’s major diamond producers through its 100 percent control of the Argyle mine in Australia, 60 percent of the Diavik mine in Canada, a 78 percent interest in the Murowa mine in Zimbabwe.  These three mines allow Rio Tinto to produce diamonds for all market segments. Rio Tinto also has an advanced diamond project in India.

Rio Tinto’s share of the production from its three operating mines is sold through is Diamonds Sales and Marketing headquarters office in Antwerp, Belgium with representative offices in Mumbai, Hong Kong and New York. Rio Tinto Diamonds is a leading supporter of the Kimberley Process as well as a founding member of Responsible Jewellery Council.

About Designer Reena Ahluwalia

Reena Ahluwalia is a Toronto-based Canadian jewellery designer and owner of Reena Ahluwalia Design Inc. (Est. 1999). Her multiple-award winning body of work reflects her passion for diamonds and linkages with the global diamond community for over seventeen years.

With designs that never fail to push creative boundaries, she has won numerous national and international awards. Iconic British fashion designer Alexander McQueen featured her award-winning diamond jewel in his Spring/Summer 2000 debut in New York.

An ambassador of arts and crafts, her quasi-nomadic lifestyle has enriched her thinking and enabled her to experience various cultures that help shape her cutting edge designs. This openness to cultures and experiences has also brought with it a spirit of inquiry and exploration that makes it possible to reboot her thinking keeping her designs fresh and innovative.

Ahluwalia’s work is often described as flamboyant, harmonizing precision and geometry with fluidity and movement. Her signature style is renowned for its edgy but feminine, well-engineered fluid forms and innovative narratives told through suggestive imagery. She has been successful in exploring different extremes in form, effortlessly moving from extravagant and exaggerated to small and understated. Besides selling directly to private clients around the world, Ahluwalia is also the creative force behind some of the most recognized international jewelry brands. Website: www.reenaahluwalia.com

About Crossworks Manufacturing Ltd.

Crossworks Manufacturing, a member of the HRA Group of Companies, operates three diamond polishing facilities in Canada that are located in Sudbury, Yellowknife and Vancouver. Crossworks purchases rough diamonds from the mines located in Canada through agreements with the Diamond Trading Company (D.T.C.) and Rio Tinto Diamonds as a Select Diamantaire.  Currently, the Group is the largest manufacturer of branded Canadian diamonds in the world with distribution throughout North America, Europe and Asia.