The Podolsky Award

This award was started in 2008 by Paul Podolsky in memory of his father Salman. It is given to a young designer or craftsman showing outstanding potential in silversmithing, jewellery or the allied crafts up to the age of 30.

Salman Podolsky was born in Ukraine in the 1890’s, and at the age of 12 he was sent alone across the country to become a jewellery apprentice. He was offered no wage, slept under his bench and relied on food handouts from the skilled jewellers.

Following his apprenticeship, at 22 Salman took a jewellery job in Amsterdam which involved making the move from the Ukraine, by foot, to his new place of employment - a difficult enough task but made almost lethal as border crossings were then punishable by death. After four years Salman moved to London and started a jewellery business in Greville Street, eventually employing 40 people.
Paul was one of Salman’s three children, he became apprentice to his father and inherited both the business and Salman’s passion for jewellery. Paul always recognised how important it was to foster enthusiasm and help young people in our industry and was still mentoring students until the end of his life at the age of 95.