48 Designs Selected for 2005 HRD Awards

Selection of the final 48 designs to enter the HRD Awards - a biennial diamond jewelry contest - was made in Antwerp by a professional jury recently. The happy few were among 490 artists who submitted 850 designs for the awards.

Designed to enhance creativity and design excellence in contemporary diamond jewelry, the competition’s theme this year is fun.

The HRD is encouraging Antwerp diamond companies to apply to sponsor one of the selected designs.

Selection of the finalists was based on the judging of drawings, photos or a model of the jewelry items on the criteria of design, creativity, aesthetic quality, wearability and craftsmanship.

The qualifiers now have the task of creating their proposed jewelry, which must be set with at least 1.00 ct of diamonds. The diamonds are expected to come from the Antwerp sponsors.

The deadline for submission of the created items is March 25, 2005. A panel of internationally renowned experts will judge the diamond jewelry pieces for the final selection.

The winner of the competition will be awarded €5,000. All the laureates benefit from an international promotion program that accompanies the contest. The jewelry pieces will be exhibited in the Antwerp Diamond Museum in July and August 2005. The exhibition then travels abroad during international diamond events.