Craft3D Finished Work
Design
3D Finished Pieces (7 categories)
Entries will be primarily judged on creative ideas and design merit, with due consideration given to the standard of craftsmanship.
Pieces entered in the Design categories below can only be submitted in one design category.
Entries in these sections must be finished 3D pieces. Digital renders and CAD files will not considered finished work for the purposes of these sections. Please see 2D design sections.
Work entered in these sections can also be entered in any of the relevant Craft sections & we strongly encourage entrants to do so.
Entrants are encouraged to provide an explanation of the concept behind their entry, including information that illustrates any significant features of the entry. There will be a placeholder on the entry form for this (Max 150 words).
See below for the full details on each brief.
Silversmiths (Design)
Sponsored by Lindström
This section welcomes entries of larger-scale work, functional and/or decorative objects, with a focus and priority on creative and original design.
We are delighted to be partnering again with Lindström as a Special Patron to this section.
Examples of entries to this section can include, but are not limited to: tableware, vessels, bowls, and centrepieces.
Image: Kyosun Jung - Silver Thistle Vase, Gold & The Lindström Award
Requirements
Judges will be looking for:
Exciting, different and creative ideas
Design originality
A competent understanding of materials, form and functionality
Quality of making and standard achieved
Smallworkers
Smallwork covers the production and manufacture of small-scale items made in precious or non-precious metals, such as boxes, scent bottles, accessories, objet d’art, products, timepieces.
They are often pieces that have a function and composed of several parts that make up the final article. However, they can have no functionality at all and be purely decorative for aesthetic qualities.
In addition to this section, please consider the Craft sections that you can also enter the same piece into if suitable/relevant.
Image: Rebecca de Quin - Illustrative Wall Panels Series, Gold Award
Requirements
Judges will be looking for:
Design impact and creativity/originality
Articles that incorporate one or a combination of decorative processes such as engraving, enamelling, stone setting, chasing
Use of complimentary materials and surface treatments.
A piece that often incorporates intricate detail and precise fitting part
Hidden features, hinges, or moving mechanisms that may be only obvious when a door or lid is opened.
Ready-to-Wear Jewellery
The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) and the British Allied Trades Federation (BATF) return for the 2024 Craftsmanship and Design Awards.
This Ready-to-Wear section invites jewellery that is demi-fine, contemporary, easily reproduced and commercial. Entries can be made using precious and non-precious materials, and will be judged on their design merit, commercial viability and market suitability.
This award seeks to encourage, identify and reward good, commercial design that can be successfully reproduced. The quality of craftsmanship and finish will be taken into consideration and a high standard of finishing is encouraged and expected.
Image: Deborah Beck - Legacy Brooch, Silver Award & The NAJ & BATF Award
Judges requirements
Judges will be looking for:
Design merit
Commercially viable & easily reproducible
Market suitability
An unmissable opportunity
The winner of this special award will be announced to industry press, across the NAJ’s online platforms, with a potential editorial feature in The Jeweller magazine.
In addition, the NAJ will offer one of their Jet Educational Courses to further the career development of the prize winner.
Conceptual Jewellery
The conceptual jewellery section is dedicated to designs of conceptual, artistic, or one-off items of jewellery or body adornment that have an engaging story or concept behind them.
Entries can include any combination of materials — non-precious and precious — and will be judged on the creative concept, design innovation, and originality.
All entries must be supported with up to 200 word explanation of the concept or story that has inspired the design, and how this is translated or depicted in the final outcome.
Image: Nga Yi Lam - How long has your childhood been away from you?, Silver Award
Requirements
Judges will be looking for:
Originality of design and overall impact created
Clarity of concept and how well this is shown within finished item
Quality and standard of construction and finish
Fine Commercial Jewellery
Sponsored by Beaverbrooks
This Fine Commercial Jewellery section looks for contemporary and commercially viable items of fine jewellery made with precious metals and gemstones.
We are delighted to be partnering with Beaverbrooks once again, and as Special Patrons they are sponsoring this award. Beaverbrooks are an award-winning diamond, jewellery and watch retailer with 71 stores nationwide. As a commercial jewellery retailer, Beaverbrooks is proud of their reputation for quality products, exceptional customer service, as well as their dedication to numerous charitable organisations.
Entrants are invited to submit creative jewellery and/or accessories suitable as a gift for any occasion, be it Christmas, wedding, birthday, anniversary, special occasion etc. Pieces are to be made in precious metals in any combination and incorporating gemstones where appropriate. However, electro-plated designs are also acceptable for promoting potential ideas. Hand and CAD made pieces are all eligible.
Please remember that Beaverbrooks are seeking commercially viable propositions for consideration.
Image: An Alleweireldt - Double Loop Pearl Pendant, Gold & The Beaverbrooks Award
Requirements
Entries must have an accompanying statement between 100 - 200 words that explains the inspiration behind your design, and its suitability for the commercial market.
Judges will be looking for:
Design merit
Commercial potential
Craftsmanship
Suitability and market awareness
The Beaverbrooks Award...
Following the Awards ceremony and exhibition at Goldsmiths’ Hall, and subject to their consideration, Beaverbrooks could offer the winner of their award, the opportunity to undertake some work experience to have an insight into their retail operation, this could include one of the following:
Guidance on how to create a marketing campaign
Attending a shoot to see the creative side of bringing a product to life
Shadowing a Beaverbrooks team
An interview/feature on the winner
Potential inclusion in a press release
Alternatively, and again subject to Beaverbrooks consideration, in liaison with the winning designer, Beaverbrooks will explore the possibility of taking their design into manufacture for either potential sales and/or dedicating/donating this to a charity supported by Beaverbrooks.
Precious Jewellery
Sponsored by Thomas Lyte
We are excited to be partnering again with Thomas Lyte for the GC&DC 2023/24 Competition as Named Award Patrons.
Precious jewellery is made from metals such as gold, platinum, palladium and silver, and typically incorporates gemstones, enamel or other decorative features.
Hand and CAD made pieces are all eligible.
In addition to this section, please consider the Craft sections that you can also enter the same piece into if suitable/relevant.
Image: Janet Barber - Frosted Leaf Litter Box, Gold & The Thomas Lyte Award
Requirements
Judges will be looking for:
Design merit and originality
Quality of construction
Functionality of the piece
Attention to detail and finishing
Enamellers (Design)
This design led section encourages enamellers to explore and experiment with glass enamel to achieve visual effects of a decorative and contemporary nature.
It is open to any design-led enamelled jewellery, smallwork, objects, and silversmithing using traditional/or non-traditional enamelling techniques.
Where applicable, if entries contain elements of engraved work, they are also encouraged also enter their work in the craft section Engravers.
Entrants to the enamelling sections — both craft and design — are also encouraged to consider applying for the Phil Barnes Enamelling Bursary as a part of their entry. This offers a marvellous opportunity learn alongside a master enameller. Please see below for further details.
Image - Setsu Waters - Silver Leaf Pendant; Round Orange and Gold Pendant; and Rectangular Black and Gold Pendant, Gold Award
Requirements
Judges will be looking for:
Creative use and deployment of enamel/s
Design originality and aesthetics
Work that demonstrates exploration and experimentation
Quality and effectiveness of finishing
Degree of difficulty & technical achievement
03 Jul - 12 Sep
Goldsmiths' Centre Summer Exhibition
Oct
Competition briefs launch
Jan 2025
Submission deadline
Mar 2025
Awards Ceremony @ The Goldsmiths' Hall
