Deadline for Entries for Bright New Gems 2023 Extended
07 Jun 2023
The deadline for submissions for Bright New Gems 2023 has been extended by ten days from Sunday June 11 to Wednesday June 21 at the request of a number of colleges.
Now in its eighteenth year and supported by both industry organisations such as the NAJ, Retail Jeweller and The Benevolent Society and a prestigious new judging panel, Bright New Gems provides the six winners with an exciting and unique opportunity for their first commercial platform. This includes not only invaluable mentoring and exhibiting at the UK Jewellery Show but also being featured on e-tailer Pearls & Pomegranates successful online website for independent jewellers, together with the chance to design a collection for Retail Associate, John Lewis & Partners, for sale in their flagship stores and online.
As part of this, Retail Jeweller have invited the six winning Bright New Gems to showcase their collections at the two-day UK Jewellery Festival 2023 on 5th and 6th September, Hilton London Metropole. Here they will meet senior retail decision makers and buyers and also have the opportunity to hear from some of the most respected names in retail, talking on topics including the future of the store and experiential retailing.
Image: 2022 Bright New Gems winners and their judge, Susi Smither from The Rockhound. From left to right: Aleyna Badat, Susi Smither, Xinyi Chen, Kathy Chan, Mary Chan, Yanmin Zhao and Rachel Adam. Photo credit - Peter Hogan Media.
As in previous years, the National Association of Jewellers will contribute valuable hands-on career advice on how the winners can best maximise the opportunity to showcase their work at the UK Jewellery Festival. There will also be the opportunity for virtual meetings with each of the judges to discuss the winners’ work.
The Application Process
Jewellery designers graduating this summer from UK colleges and universities can apply and the competition is open to both current year BA and MA UK graduates. They can submit their work for both or either of the two categories:
Show Off - Statement pieces
Designs and/or finished pieces showing creative flair with innovative use of materials and which demonstrate potential commercial viability
Responsible Thinking - Sustainable eco-heroes
Designs and/or finished pieces made with ethically sourced or sustainable materials and which demonstrate potential commercial viability
The two degree groups will be judged separately and four BA winners and two MA graduates will be selected by the stellar line up of judges. All will benefit from publicity and valuable online mentoring in July, provided by associate, the National Association of Jewellers, as well as virtual meetings with each of the judges to discuss their work.
Submissions
Interested applicants should contact here for application forms
The deadline for submitting entries is now Wednesday June 21
The Bright New Gems team are also at hand to help and answer any queries: Suzanna Hammond and Jennifer Hall-Thompson
Source: The Bright New Gems