December 1999

Gemstones & Pearls: News

Pearl Fancy

Winners announced in international design contest

Creativity, unusual perspectives and an appreciation for the natural beauty of cultured pearls were characteristics that united the winning designs in the 1999 International Pearl Design Contest, judged this fall in Kobe, Japan.

Sponsored by the Japan Pearl Promotion Society, the Japan Black Pearl Promotion Association and the South Sea Pearl Consortium, the contest attracted 979 entries from 20 countries. There were 110 winners in all, including eight from the U.S. Contestants participated in three categories: freestyle, paper rendering and this year's thematic category, "The Sea."

The grand prize went to Noriko Oshima of Japan for her "Asymmetry" choker necklace with Tahitian cultured pearls and diamonds set in platinum.

The sponsors submitted these photographs of selected winning designs.

Grand Prize
Noriko Oshima, Japan "Asymmetry," a choker with Tahitian black pearls and 10.33 carats of diamonds set in platinum.
Freestyle Category
First Prize: Eusebius & Hannes Gamper, Italy A necklace with a Tahitian black pearl and diamonds set in platinum.
	Fifth Prize (tie): John Ahr West Hollywood, CA "Rough Kisses."
Fifth Prize (tie): Rebecca S. Marshall New Star Jewelers, Joliet, IL "Connected."
	Fifth Prize: Reysner Marek, Blaine, WA "John – the next move wins."
Thematic Category
First Prize: Shu Hung Yang, Taiwan "The Sea," a necklace with akoya gold and white cultured pearls set in white gold.
	Fourth Prize: Tamara Alaine Smith Saratoga, CA "Waves and Bubble" ring with a freshwater cultured pearl and diamonds set in gold.
Fifth Prize: William Taft Atkins, Springfield, MO "Tsunami."
Paper Rendering Category
	First Prize: Nami Harada, Japan

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