Craft3D Finished Work
Craft & Design (combined)
3D Finished Pieces (7 categories)
These sections are judged on both the quality of craftsmanship in combination with creative design, style and visual impact.
Entries in this section must be physical pieces. 3D renders will not be accepted.
Materials and methods of manufacture used must be specified i.e. hand, production, technological processes, CAD, RP, CNC, Laser sintering etc.
If several specialist craftspeople for different sections enter an item, these details need to be submitted on the entry form where indicated.
Where relevant, articles entered must be in a finished condition. Entrants are encouraged to submit in precious metals wherever possible and such entries must conform to hallmarking legislation if applicable.
Click on the icons below for the full details on each brief.
Mixed Metals & Patina
Sponsored by Special Patron Louisa Guinness Gallery
This newly introduced category last year, sponsored by Special Patron Louisa Guinness, sought to encourage and support entrants to explore and experiment with alternative metals other than gold, platinum, etc., to a fine jewellery standard.
This proved very popular with high interest from entrants. Both the GC&DC and Louisa Guinness were delighted at this and the awards achieved, hence Louisa is supporting this category for the 2025/26 competition.
Image: Caitlin Murphy - Imitation Brooch, Gold & The Louisa Guinness Gallery Award 2025
The Brief
Precious metals are now at skyrocket prices, and many designers are using lower-cost materials in their work. The award is in tune with this and aims to identify, reward and celebrate quality jewellery design through an inventive, experimental and speculative approach to the use of metals. Furthermore, entrants are encouraged to mix alloys or use alternative metals to create unusual forms, decorative and aesthetic outcomes, but always aiming for a high standard of fine jewellery.
There is good evidence of designers using titanium, coloured aluminium and bronze , for instance. The sponsor of this award is interested in seeing the use of these and other materials and the surface finishes/textures/treatments applied to them in well-made and visually effective jewellery.
Designs can include different metals being incorporated in one piece and the mixing and colouring of metals and patinas.
Judges will be looking for:
Inventive and speculative approach to the use of metals
Degree and effectiveness of experimentation
Standard of craftsmanship & finish
Decorative and aesthetic outcome/s
Creative Setting
Sponsored by Special Patron Louisa Guinness Gallery
We are delighted to be partnering again with Special Patron Louisa Guinness. Last year’s dedicated Creative Setting section was encouraging, as illustrated in the award-winning entries.
Entrants are further encouraged to respond to this contemporary challenge compared to the traditional setter’s section that focuses on the execution and quality of traditional craft setting techniques.
Image: Liu Yang - Shimmer 1 &Shimmer 2, Gold & The Louisa Guinness Gallery Award 2025
The Brief
Louisa, who champions craft skills, design, and new inventive ways of setting, is sponsoring a prize specifically for work that demonstrates creative setting in their entry (a thinking out of the box approach), to show gemstone/s in their very best light and inherent beauty.
This is a great opportunity to see how designers and makers can choose to secure a gemstone/gemstones into a piece of jewellery in an elegant, safe, discreet and clever way that may not follow the traditional rules. The sponsor wants you to remember what you have been taught, but to be creative/inventive and find your own way of 'setting' a stone.
Judges will be looking for
Innovative & experimental setting
Standard of craftsmanship & finish
Promotion & enhancement of gemstone/s
Wire Innovation
Sponsored by The Worshipful Company of Gold & Silver Wyre Drawers
This category celebrates design that reimagines what wire can achieve in jewellery and silversmithing.
From structure to surface, it invites makers to explore the limitless possibilities of form, detail, and construction.
Image: Alexandra Raphael - The Honest Bowl, Gold & The Worshipful Company of Gold & Silver Wyre Drawers Award
The Brief
These two awards seek to promote the use of metal wire of all sizes, sections and combinations, in any precious and/or non-precious materials, but must include some precious metal wire.
Entries can include all types of products across jewellery, smallwork and silversmithing.
This section encourages pieces that demonstrate innovation and well-considered construction from wire. Creative designs that explore the potential of metal wire, and at quality, are encouraged and welcomed.
No cast material should be included, and high-quality manufacturing and finishing are encouraged and expected.
Judges will be looking for
Originality, creativity and concept
Competent use of tools and materials
Quality of construction
Appropriate manufacturing techniques
Practical and functional features
Standard of finish
Your online entry must include the following:
A 200-word (maximum) description, highlighting details of your submission
An Unmissable Opportunity
Subject to the endorsement of the Worshipful Company of Wyre Drawers, the winners of this important award will be offered an opportunity to undertake a short period of work experience.
Laser Technology
Sponsored by Freeform Fabrication Limited
We are delighted to announce a new partnership with Freeform Fabrication Limited, who is enthusiastically sponsoring this important specialist competition category as a GC&DC Named Award Patron.
We look forward to working with Freeform to promote, encourage and applaud the use and deployment of laser technology throughout the competition categories.
Image: Lois Lo- Greenhouse Ring, Gold & The ALPHA LASER GmbH Award
The Brief
This section is an opportunity to demonstrate and celebrate the potential and appropriate utilisation of laser technology.
Entries can include all types of products across jewellery, smallwork and silversmithing that have used laser technology in part or for their full production. All entries must be made from metal.
The specific laser technology used, and to what extent (welding, cutting, engraving) in an entry must be stated within your online application to enable the judges to understand the extent and type of processes employed.
Photographic evidence of manufacturing could be included in this.
Judges will be looking for
Creative and innovative use of laser technology
Well-considered use of techniques and processes to achieve an outcome that benefits from laser technology
Competent construction and knowledge of processes in order to achieve a high quality of finish
Design merit – considered design which demonstrates an understanding of the capabilities and possibilities of using laser technology as their chosen method/tool.
Horn & Polymers
Sponsored by The Worshipful Company of Horners'
We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with The Worshipful Company of Horners, who sponsor this Patron Named Award.
This category celebrates design that explores the creative potential of horn and plastics in jewellery and adornment.
Makers are encouraged to use these materials as prominent features, showcasing innovation, quality, and imagination in their finished work.
From bold fashion pieces to refined objects, the category highlights how these materials can inspire distinctive and contemporary design.
Image: Finlay Grant - Straw Brooch, Gold & The Worshipful Company of Horners' Award
The Brief
Jewellery, body adornment or a product featuring horn and/or plastics in a creative, decorative and quality manner.
You are invited to design and make any jewellery item or product, taking innovative approaches that incorporate and embody horn and/or plastics as a decorative and complimentary feature.
The brief has been widened to include and encourage fashion jewellery, where plastics in particular can be widely utilised. Designs need to ensure that horn/plastic is a prominent aspect and main feature in the finished outcome.
The winning entry may also be used within an auction event for a Horners’ Charity.
As with any design brief, please ensure your description and the specification are clear (materials, stones, elements, moving parts where appropriate, etc.).
See below for further guidance.
Horn
Horn is an organic material and natural plastic which can be ethically sourced as it is a by-product from the food and leather industries. Horn - although previously utilised for practical domestic utensils is now being crafted into decorative items - either solely or in conjunction with precious metals.
The Horners' Company are not a supplier of horn, but is offering potential entrants the opportunity to obtain a few varied samples of natural horn to experiment and explore its unique properties and potential use by contacting Mark Lewis (mlewis342@googlemail.com).
Mark is also available to offer any guidance and advice.
Polymers
Polymers offer a wide range of opportunities to create form, decoration and striking aesthetics. This medium enables any scale of item to be considered and crafted, and plastics contribute much to the fashion jewellery industry, including body adornment.
Using recycled plastic is encouraged.
Judges will be looking for
Originality, creativity and concept
Competent use of tools and materials
Quality of construction
Appropriate manufacturing techniques
Practical and functional features
Standard of finish
Your online entry must include the following:
A 200-word (maximum) description, highlighting details of your submission
An Unmissable Opportunity
The winner of this prize will also be invited to a Worshipful Company of Horner’s dinner to celebrate their Award.
Handcrafted Silverware
Sponsored by Principal Patrons The Clothworkers' Company
Handcrafted silverware using traditional techniques inspired by Textiles.
We are delighted to continue partnering with The Clothworkers’ Company for the 2025/26 Goldsmiths’ Competition and Awards.
This category is dedicated to supporting the next generation of silversmiths.
It invites young makers to demonstrate creativity and skill through pieces that reflect the artistry of hand-making, with inspiration drawn from textiles in form or decoration.
Sponsored by The Clothworkers’ Company, this special award not only recognises excellence but, subject to their endorsement, also offers the winner a valuable work experience opportunity with an established silversmith.
Image: Jonathan Harry Stokes & Alewijn Slingerland - Kingston Chalice & Paten, Gold & The Clothworkers' Company Award
The Brief
This silversmithing section is designed and dedicated to promote and support the core craft skills of young silversmiths, i.e. hammering techniques (hand raising, blocking, caulking, bouging, planishing), box making, spinning, chasing and repoussé, etc.
The Clothworkers’ Company is inviting young makers to make and submit finished silversmithing pieces that demonstrate the use, deployment and promotion of traditional hand-making techniques and skills, and preferably, work that shows a connection or representation to textiles, which can be in any form or applied decoration, such as chasing, engraving, texturing, enamelling, etc.
Entries using CAD/RP, high technology, are not eligible for this section.
Of equal importance is to foster the above objectives within the next generation of aspiring silversmiths, so this exciting, sponsored section supports emerging learners and future talent. Therefore, this special award is for young silversmiths up to the age of 30, including students, apprentices, employees and independent learners.
Judges will be looking for
Use of traditional craft silversmithing techniques
Degree of hand-making skills demonstrated
Skill/techniques potential
Connection, relationship, and representation to textiles
An Unmissable Opportunity
Subject to the endorsement of The Clothworkers’ Company, the winner of this significant award will also be offered a work experience opportunity with an established silversmith.
11 Jan 2026
Online Entry Form Submission Deadline
13 - 14 Jan 2026
Entry submission @
The Goldsmiths’ Centre
EC1M 5AD
9th Mar 2026
Awards Ceremony @
The Merchant Taylors' Hall,
EC2R 8JB
23 - 27 Mar 2026
Awards Exhibition & Events @
The Birmingham Assay Office
B1 3AX
1 July - 10 Sept 2026
Awards Exhibition & Events @
The Goldsmiths’ Centre
EC1M 5AD
