UPDATE: The 2024 Design Contest winners are announced here!
The Hawaii Jewelers Association (HJA) holds a Design Contest annually which showcases the incredible designs of Hawaii's jewelry professionals. Typically held concurrently with the Annual Fundraiser Banquet, this nationally and internationally recognized design contest is open to HJA members.
Submitted pieces are graded by three independent judges the week prior to the Annual Banquet and the winners are announced during the banquet. In addition to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from the formal judging, banquet attendees vote for their favorite entries as "People's Choice" award winners in each category.
This year (2024), the design contest will be held in October. The deadline to submit entries is Wednesday, October 23rd. Entries needed to be delivered to Tom Wheeler at Opal Fields (International Market Place, Waikiki - by the Tesla dealership) with entry forms and payment submitted prior to delivery.
Voting for the 2024 People Choice Awards will done in-person at the Annual Banquet on October 26, 2023.
Entries are judged on a point system (does not apply to Estate/Vintage):
Judging Criteria
A) Overall Design
40 points maximum
B) Marketability
20 points maximum
C) Practicality/Wearability
20 points maximum
D) Craftsmanship
20 points maximum
Total
100 points maximum
Two (2) bonus points will be added to the judged score if an entry qualifies as "Made In Hawaii" (being designed and crafted within the State of Hawaii).
Guide A) Is it compelling? B) Does the price match the piece? C) Is it comfortable to wear? D) Is it well made?
The designer of the highest scoring entry across all categories is designated the Hawaii Jewelers Association "Designer of the Year". So the Designer of the Year could come from the Under $5000, $5000 and Over, or Hawaiian Themed category.
Entries in the Under $5000, $5000 and Over, and Hawaiian Themed categories must be designed by an HJA member and produced within 18 months prior to the Design Contest.
A designer must be from an HJA member company and can only submit one entry per judged category. More than one designer from a company may submit entries.
Featured at the Hong Kong Jewellery Show Biennially, the HJA Designer of the Year is awarded a qualifying entry at the prestigious Hong Kong Jewellery Show.
2024 Design Contest Fee Schedule (per company):
$75 Single Entry
$70 Per Entry - 2 Entries ($140 total)
$60 Per Entry - 3 Entries ($180 total)
$55 Per Entry - 4 or more Entries ($220 for 4 Entries)
The winner of each category will receive a free entry in the following year's Design Contest.
Each new HJA member will receive one free entry Design Contest entry for the year that they joined (the free entry does not apply towards multiple entry pricing).
After the Design Contest, entrants who wish to know how they did relative to the scoring system may request an email with their score (per entry) along with a score break-down for each of the judging criteria. The total score of the winning entry for the same category will be listed for comparison. This feedback is intended to help designers see how they did and what areas they need to focus upon in the future.
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
1st 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.
2nd 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”!
3rd 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.
WINGED MERMAID: by Amy Flanders – Mer Made Designs
BEYOND THE REEF: by Carrie Nottage Smith – Na Hoku
COMING TOGETHER: by Chira Duval-Arnold – Aquagems LLC
MEDALLION: by Jane Chen – Opal Fields
LOTUS: by Dona Wong – Keoni Collection
HERITAGE BRACELET: by The Maui Divers Design Team at Maui Divers Jewelry
FAITH: by Tom Wheeler – Opal Fields
BLACK WIDOW: by Mark Carson – Mark Carson Individual Design
CIRCLES OF LOVE: by Michael Ly – The Wedding Ring Shop
COMPETITION NUMBER TWO - JEWELRY OVER $3,500
1st 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.
2nd 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.
3rd 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.
PEARL CHANGE: by Chira Duval-Arnold – Aquagems LLC
LUNAR CARESS: by Carrie Nottage Smith – Na Hoku
TRICOLOR HEIRLOOM BRACELET: by The Design Team at Maui Divers
WATERFALL: by Denny Wong – Denny Wong Designs
EVIL EYE: by Tom Wheeler – Opal Fields
DEVINE GRAPE: by Jane Chen – Opal Fields
WINGS OF DESIRE: by Michael Li – The Wedding Ring Shop
COMING UP ROSES: by Eli Saban – JES Jewelry
COMPETITION NUMBER THREE - HAWAIIAN THEME JEWELRY
1st 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.
2nd 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.
3rd 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
PINK OPAL HELICONIA: by Amy Flanders – Mer Made Designs
OCEAN SPECTRUM: by Paul Williams – Antiques & Treasures
LAVA MOMENT PENDANT: by The Design Team at Maui Divers
OCEAN MOON: by Jane Chen – Opal Fields
POLYNESIAN TREASURE: by Tom Wheeler – Opal Fields
MOON OVER DIAMOND HEAD: by Na Hoku design team – Na Hoku
THE BLUE WAVE: by Denny Wong – Denny Wong Designs
ALOHA PUMEHANA OKIKA: by Michael Ly – The Wedding Ring Shop.
HAWAII COAT OF ARMS: by Eli Saban – JES Jewelry
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.
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.
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.
Please complete one entry form per piece. The entry articles must be delivered by Thursday, April 19, 2018 to Opal Fields.
DESIGN COMPETITION RULES & INFORMATION
Competition Categories
The four competition categories that entrants may submit pieces for are:
Jewelry Under $3,500 Any jewelry design with a retail price under $3,500
Jewelry $3,500 and over Any jewelry design with a retail price of $3,500 and over
Hawaiian Theme Jewelry Any jewelry designed with a Hawaiian theme or inspired by Hawaii.
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:
CriteriaMaximum Points
Overall Design 40
Marketability 20
Practicality/Wearability 20
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
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.
Except for the Estate Jewelry category, the entry piece must have been produced within the last 18 months.
Only precious metals (gold, silver, or platinum) may be used.
All gem stones must be genuine. Any enhancement or treatments must be fully disclosed.
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.
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.
The entry piece(s) must be delivered by Thursday, April 19, 2018 to Opal Fields.
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.
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 @
Our 67th Annual Design Contest and Banquet was Saturday, April 30, 2016at the Oahu Country Club. Glitz Glam & Games and featured table top displays from our Associate Members, Vegas-style Casino Games including Craps, Roulette, and Black Jack, and concluded with the awarding of our 2016 Design Contest Winners. All attendees at our annual banquet also vote for their favorite piece in The People’s Choice Award.
See our Designer of the Year, all 2016 winners, all 33 entries, and photos taken throughout the evening by clicking here.
Do you have a jewelry design piece that you would like to submit for next year? Click here to learn more about the contest categories, rules, and how to register.
His winning pieces are FIRE & ICE: An icy blue apatite and fiery pink sapphire are the gems featured in this brilliant and charming white gold pendant. Some say fire, some say ice and KILAUEA: The flickering of red being emitted from the unique rose cut red garnet featured in this 18 karat gold pendant represents Kilauea’s fiery cauldron. The black tourmaline necklace it is dangling from represents the black basalt rock that is Kilauea.
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.
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 @
