Save the Date

2020 Hawaii Jewelers Association Design Competition and Banquet

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Design Contest Information

 Hawaii Jewelers Association 2019 Design Competition & Banquet

We celebrated our Platinum, or 70th anniversary as an association serving the jewelers and public in Hawai'i.

Our annual banquet & nationally recognized design competition was held on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at the gorgeous Oahu Country Club. We had guest speaker, Dr. James Shigley fly in from GIA to speak of recent industry topics. Then Tom Wheeler provided the attendees with a brief history of HJA with heartfelt quoted memories from a few members.

Congratulations to our 2019 Hawaii Jewelers Association Designer of the Year winner,  Chira Duval-Arnould, Aqua Gems for her "Pearl Change" design piece.

This annual event is locally & nationally recognized every year with 27 design pieces in this years competition. We have 3 judges that volunteer their time prior to our banquet. This years judges were Trini Kaupoiki-Clark - Make-A-Wish Hawaii, James Escobido - James Angel Designs, and William Irish - WJ Irish Fine Jewelry

COMPETITION NUMBER ONE - JEWELRY UNDER $3,500

1^st Place – LOTUS: by Dona Wong - Keoni Collection. Shimmering like the morning’s dew on a lotus flower, micro pave` diamonds around and behind highlight an exquisite peridot gem. All masterfully crafted in 14 karat white and yellow gold.

2^nd Place - HERITAGE BRACELET: by The Maui Divers Design Team at Maui Divers Jewelry. Inspired by the natural beauty of coral branches and the heritage of Maui Divers this coral branch design bracelet is sprinkled with droplets of diamonds and features a clasp and hinge integrated into the design. Expertly crafted and engraved inside “Made in Hawaii”!

3^rd Place - BEYOND THE REEF: by Carrie Nottage Smith - Na Hoku. Beyond the reef is where the excitement of the open ocean begins. These beautiful, deeply sculpted rose gold dangle earrings with natural pink fresh water pearls, brilliantly decorated with sparkling diamonds capture this excitement wonderfully. Wear these earrings, beyond the reef.

People Choice - BLACK WIDOW: by Mark Carson - Mark Carson Individual Design. A necklace with a black rhodium plated sterling silver spider perched on a web of silver chain. The spider’s notorious red - black widow - markings expressed in flush set rubies.

COMPETITION NUMBER TWO - JEWELRY OVER $3,500

1^st Place – PEARL CHANGE: by Chira Duval-Arnold - Aquagems LLC. A rich 18 karat yellow gold pave` diamond pendant featuring a luxurious Australian South Seas drop pearl as its hanging ornament. With a simple twist the pearl can be removed allowing for other ornaments to be displayed or more casually worn without an ornament.

2^nd Place – WATERFALL: by Denny Wong - Denny Wong Designs. This ring holds a lovely royal blue sapphire displayed in an ornate waterfall of shimmering diamonds. Finely crafted in 14 karat white and yellow gold it has  incorporated into its design an integrated butterfly insert providing amazing luxury in its fit and feel. 

3^rd Place – LUNAR CARESS: by Carrie Nottage Smith - Na Hoku. This pendant design features a rich dark night sky blue tanzanite and is caressed by the lunar glow of a lustrous South Sea pearl and brilliance of raised prong pave` set diamonds. Truly amazing in its design and selection of gems used.

 People’s Choice - WINGS OF DESIRE: by Michael Li - The Wedding Ring Shop. This white gold slide pendant depicting nature’s fauna has a fluttering butterfly in yellow gold landing upon it. The butterfly may be turned in any  direction the wearer desires representing the journey of love and desire that we all share together.

COMPETITION NUMBER THREE - HAWAIIAN THEME JEWELRY

1^st Place – MOON OVER DIAMOND HEAD: by Na Hoku design team - Na Hoku. No view is more iconic than that of Diamond Head seen across the ocean waters of Waikiki. This some what demure pendant sculpted in gold and enhanced with diamonds beautifully captures the magnificence of viewing the moon over Diamond Head.

2^nd Place – OCEAN MOON: by Jane Chen - Opal Fields. Like the moon resting on the night ocean horizon, these pendant features a colorful reflective boulder black opal under a sphere of brilliant illusion set diamonds. The perfect attire for any tropical evening.

 3^rd Place - THE BLUE WAVE: by Denny Wong - Denny Wong Designs. The ultimate surfing experience is surfing inside a closing wave - surfing the blue room that Oahu’s pipe line is so famous for. This pendant, holding a compound wave shape blue moonstone captures the excitement of this experience beautifully in 18 karat gold.

People’s Choice - THE BLUE WAVE: by Denny Wong - Denny Wong

The night was filled with so much happiness! Here are the candid photos taken by our wonderful photographers, Meri Hoffman & Jeff Bryan.

Thank you to all that attended, donated, and volunteered. You made this year a big success and so much fun!

We will finalize a date very soon for next years annual banquet & design competition.

Archive of previous Annual Banquets and Design Contests

HJA NEEDS YOUR DONATIONS!!!

HJA is a non-profit organization that is kindly accepting donations for our silent auction and raffle prize. Examples: Jewelry pieces, industry equipment & tools, wine & spirits, electronics, beauty products & services, snacks & desserts, art, home products/culinary, restaurant and store gift cards, as well as live activities such as a private chef dinner, hotel accommodations, golf events, etc.

I am graciously requesting your kokua. Please contact our Executive Directors if you have questions or need more information at admin@hawaiijewelersassociation.com or (808) 536-4255.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Are you an artist?

Enter your creative pieces in the HJA 2018 Design Competition! 

Hawaii Jewelers Association Members are invited to participate in this annual event that showcases the best Hawaii jewelry designers have to offer.

The Hawaii Jewelers Association is proud to celebrate another year of Hawaii’s jewelry designers with our Annual Jewelry Design Competition. We encourage you to share your original jewelry creations from the past year along with your inspiration in creating these pieces with your fellow HJA members.

Finalists and Winners will be announced at our Annual Banquet on April 28, 2018 at the beautiful Oahu Country Club.

There are  4 categories to compete in; Jewelry Under $3,500, Jewelry $3,500 and Over, Hawaiian Theme Jewelry, and Estate Jewelry.

The designer of the piece with the overall highest total points is also awarded Designer of The Year and will receive an entry into the 2019 Hong Kong International Jewelry Design Excellence Award.

This design competition is locally and nationally recognized.

Design Competition Entry Form

DESIGN COMPETITION RULES & INFORMATION

Competition Categories

The four competition categories that entrants may submit pieces for are:

1. Jewelry Under $3,500 Any jewelry design with a retail price under $3,500
2. Jewelry $3,500 and over Any jewelry design with a retail price of $3,500 and over
3. Hawaiian Theme Jewelry Any jewelry designed with a Hawaiian theme or inspired by Hawaii.
4. Estate Jewelry Any estate jewelry piece.  Entries will be subject  to a “People’s Choice” only vote.

Judging

Except for the Estate Jewelry category, a panel of three judges will score each entry.  The entries will be evaluated in the following criteria with maximum points for each noted:

Criteria                                                 Maximum Points

1. Overall Design 40
2. Marketability 20
3. Practicality/Wearability 20
4. Craftsmanship 20

Each judge will award a maximum of 100 points for the entry.  The points of all three judges will tallied to determine the winner.  There will be three places awarded for each category.  Each winner will receive a Koa framed award certificate with your company’s name and be featured on our website, social media, and other industry news.

The piece with the overall highest total points will also be awarded Designer of The Year.

Design Competition Rules

1. Except for the Estate Jewelry category, all jewelry must be original and designed by a HJA member in good standing at the time of the competition.
2. Except for the Estate Jewelry category, the entry piece must have been produced within the last 18 months.
3. Only precious metals (gold, silver, or platinum) may be used.
4. All gem stones must be genuine. Any enhancement or treatments must be fully disclosed.
5. An individual may enter a maximum of one entry in each competition. There is no limit to the number of individual designers entering who are employed by the same firm.
6. All entrants waive any and all claims against the Hawaii Jewelers Association (HJA), its individual members, officers, or any HJA representative, associate or employee for any issue arising from the handling, condition, loss or theft of the jewelry being submitted for competition entry.
7. The entry piece(s) must be delivered by Thursday, April 19, 2018 to Opal Fields.
8. All competition entry piece(s) are to be submitted with a completed and signed competition application form indicating that the entrant has reviewed, understands, and agrees with all the competition rules.
9. Entry fees are non-refundable, please pay in full to Hawaii Jewelers Association.

Please contact Sophia Makaimoku-Young & Bernard Nunies, Executive Directors for more information via email @

Admin@HawaiiJewelersAssociation.com

or by phone (808) 536-4255

Hawaii Jewelers Association 2018 Design Competition & Banquet

Our nationally recognized design competition was presented at the Oahu Country Club in the Nu'uanu valleys on Saturday, April 28, 2018. This years theme was Glitz & Glamour allowing attendees to dress in their glamorous best. The jovial atmosphere was infectious as everyone celebrated the artistry, craft skills, and innovative designs created by fellow jewelry industry colleagues.

Two photographers, Meri Hoffsten  & Jeff Bryan were present to capture candid photos as well as head-shots that attendees could use for business purposes.

Our 2018 Hawaii Jewelers Association Designer of the Year winner is.....Carrie Nottage Smith, Na Hoku for her "Venus Fern Drop" design piece. 

Winners Summary

Candid photos

There were 34 pieces in this years competition in the following categories..

Estate Category entries

Under $3,500 Category entries

Over $3,500 Category entries

Hawaiian Theme Category entries

ANNUAL JEWELRY DESIGN COMPETITION

This annual event is locally & nationally recognized every year! We encourage you to share your original jewelry creations.

Download for Design Competition Rule and Entry

The top three are awarded for each category.  Each winner will receive a Koa framed award certificate with your company’s name and be featured on our website, social media, and other industry news.

The overall winning piece will determine this year's "Designer of the Year" and receive an entry into the 2019 Hong Kong International Jewellery Show's International Jewelry Design Excellence (IJDE) Award to compete for the highest honor and international recognition as one of the most prestigious designs in the world!

Please contact Sophia Makaimoku-Young & Bernard Nunies, Executive Directors for more information via email @

Admin@HawaiiJewelersAssociation.com

or by phone (808) 536-4255

Archive of previous Annual Banquets and Design Contests