Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design
The first annual Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design was presented on February 2, 2018, to GIA graduate Catherine Zheng (figure 1). The competition, open to students who successfully completed the GIA Jewelry Design course in 2017, recognizes artistic excellence in jewelry design. Zheng received the award for her rendering of an Art Deco–inspired pendant necklace. Zheng, who studied at GIA in Carlsbad, was one of 12 finalists from seven campuses whose hand-rendered designs were judged by a committee comprised of jewelry design, manufacturing, retail, and media experts. The finalists’ designs were on display and the recipient of the award was announced at the annual GIA alumni party held during the AGTA Gem Fair in Tucson.
The Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation sponsored the award as a way to inspire beginning jewelry designers and honor the work of the renowned jewelry design house’s founder, Gianmaria Buccellati. The 2018 competition is under way and open to students in GIA’s Jewelry Design course who meet the eligibility requirements.
