New York City. Nov. 3, 2022. The Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA) has announced the International winners of its 13th Annual International Pearl Design Competition (IPDC).

On Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, judges inspected International Division entrants—all sketches or CAD renderings—at a private location in Manhattan. This year’s judges included Jean Francois Bibet, workshop and production director at Cartier, Patricia Faber, co-owner of Aaron Faber Gallery in Manhattan, Lenore Fedow, associate editor, National Jeweler; Maria Tsangaropoulos, supervisor of instruction at GIA’s New York City campus; Michael Coan, assistant professor, jewelry design department, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT); and Kathy Zaltas, owner, Zaltas Gallery, Mamaroneck, N.Y. Peggy Grosz, senior vice president, Assael, helped judge part one of the entries but was not present for live judging.

By day’s end, seven winners had been chosen across six categories, with one individual earning two awards and a pair of cowinners in another category.

Winners are as follows:

President’s Trophy. This top prize is given to the piece deemed the most beautiful and original design concept that is well made, celebrates pearls, and leaves a lasting impression of pearls as must-have gems.

Winner: Kentsugi bracelet by Shikha Pathak for C Krishniah Chetty Group of Jewellers of India

Bracelet made in 18k yellow gold with 8 mm–20 mm white, pinkish-, and champagne-color South Sea cultured pearls, mother of pearl with gold inlay, and round and baguette-cut diamonds

Luster Award. These winning pieces represent the evolution of best-selling pearl jewelry designs bearing covetable and marketable concepts with wide appeal for the marketplace. New for 2022: these pieces must retail for $3,000 or less.

Winner: Venus Ring Set by NEU & TIM of Japan

Venus ring set made in 10k pink and yellow gold with a 7.5–8 mm akoya pearl center and 3–5 mm akoya pearls on companion bands, $2,910 retail

Visionary Award for Classic Styles. This winning piece is attractive, creative, and salable, championing a fresh look for an iconic pearl style—strands, studs, bracelets, or a ring—to help change the dated perception of pearls in the market.

Tie!

Winner 1: Bubble ring by Melanie Georgacopoulos of Melanie Georgacopoulos of the U.K.

Bubble Ring in 18k rose gold with a 13 mm Tahitian pearl

Winner 2: Overtone earrings by Alexia Gryllaki of Alexia Gryllaki of Greece

Overtone earrings in 18k yellow gold with Tahitian pearls, 2.63 cts. t.w. pear-shape garnets, 1.1 cts. t.w. tapered baguette-cut diamonds, and 0.44 ct. t.w. emeralds

Wedding Day Pearls. These winning pieces best capture what a contemporary bride or groom might wear on their wedding day.

Winner: Kentsugi bracelet by Shikha Pathak for C Krishniah Chetty Group of Jewellers of India

Bracelet made in 18k yellow gold with 8 mm–20 mm white, pinkish-, and champagne-color South Sea cultured pearls, mother of pearl with gold inlay, and round and baguette-cut diamonds

Fashion Award. This winning piece features a creative compilation of materials fashioned into a youthful, high-fashion, and original pearl jewelry design that looks as if it came straight from a Paris runway.

Winner: Knotty Pearls Body Accessory by Shakshi Poddar for C Krishniah Chetty Group of Jewellers of India

Convertible Body Chain necklace in 18k yellow gold with 2 mm–12 mm Tahitian and South Sea pearls and round brilliant-cut diamonds

Spotlight Award—Baroque-Shape Pearls for 2022. This category focuses on designs where 75 percent of the piece features one type of pearl—the baroque-shape pearl in 2022. These winning pieces should make viewers think about baroque-shape pearls of all varieties—saltwater and freshwater—and all their different colors and shapes in a way that is attractive, clever, challenges the standard of designs that feature it, and entice a non-pearl-lover to start collecting.

Winner: Pan’s Tree brooch by YiJ Jewelry of China

Brooch in 18k gold and black gold with freshwater keshi pearls, yellow and brown diamonds, and rubies

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CPAA is a nonprofit founded in 1957. The group comprises the finest manufacturers, wholesalers, dealers, and suppliers of cultured pearls in the United States, and its goals are to improve retail marketability of pearls and cultivate demand among consumers. Through promotion, education, public relations, and unwavering commitment to the category, CPAA aims to inspire an authentic passion for all cultured pearl varieties. For more information about becoming a certified pearl expert, please visit PearlsAsOne.org. To learn more about the Cultured Pearl Association of America, please visit CPAA.org.