Jewellery Time
Jewellers participating in the fifth annual New Zealand Jewellery Show, held at SKYCITY in Auckland, told organisers they were delighted with the organisation of the show and are keen to return next year. Many reported good sales and good follow-up business and they were also delighted with the networking opportunities the show affords the industry.
Officially opened by New Zealand Fashion Week’s founder, Pieter Stewart, this year’s Show successfully combined the Gala Preview with the Awards’ presentation. TV presenter / producer Carol Hirsch feld once again presented the winners of the Regal Castings Jewellery Design Awards with their certificates and cash prizes. Nigel Wong from The Village Goldsmith, Wellington and winner of the Regal Castings Fine Jewellery Award was inspired by the mechanics of an extendable mirror and a towel rail, to create X-Tension, a hinged and locking concertina style necklace which featured a spectacular trilliant cut green tourmaline. The judges were impressed with the combination of both engineering and art and that the industrial theme was carried throughout the whole design.
Nigel Wong's X-Tension
Runners up were jds — jewellery design kiosk’s team from Whangarei with a ring representing the Auckland skyline, Karl Williams, also from The Village Goldsmith, with a yellow marquise diamond ring and Adrian Myers from Naturesjewels in Nelson for his almond blossom necklace made of natural materials and metal. All the contemporary awards finalists were from Auckland with brooches being a popular choice. The winning piece “Regal Drawing” an oversized brooch by Gillian Deery. Runners up were Kristin D’Agostino, and Nadene Carr who both created intricate brooches and Kvetoslava Flora Sekanova, with a large reversible necklace.
Karl Williams' Ra
Grant Stevenson, event organiser, was disappointed with a downturn in public numbers. Despite extensive publicity including a TV campaign we had a smaller turnout than last year, however, this may have been due to school holidays and the effects of the recession. As a result we will be looking at changes for next year’s show. We must remember that surveys confirm the public love meeting the designers personally and appreciated the quality of New Zealand jewellery design.
lf the jewellers continue to support the show and the public continue to love it — we can look forward to our next five years.
