9 finalists vie for SL Jewellery Design Awards 2015

Nine finalists of this year’s Sri Lanka Jewellery Design Awards now vie for the post of being the chosen Jewellery Designer of the year for 2015 at four different categories, a competition which is fast becoming one of the most prestigious and important jewellery events in Sri Lanka.

Organised by the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association, the competition was held in two-fold, under the theme of ‘A new Sri Lankan style’ for local participants and ‘Exotic Sri Lankan Blue Sapphires’ for international participants. 

Committee Chairman Sellakumar Kandasamy commented: “The awards honour outstanding work and applaud the most innovative jewellery designs. With Sri Lanka set to host the 25th anniversary edition of FACETS, the award certainly encapsulates what Sri Lanka has to offer in the form of these gorgeous statement pieces.”

This year’s awards saw 27 local and 21 international applications yielding a final shortlist of nine. The selected local semi-finalists went through a mentoring program by the Academy of Design (AOD). 

During the mentoring program, finalists met with lecturers at the Academy who advised them on the finer points of jewellery design.  The judging panel comprised eminent industry experts from various fields of art, architecture and design.  KPMG was also part of the whole process to ensure that the integrity and credibility of the awards was maintained. 

The local finalists include Thamira Sajeewa Thotagamuwa, Priyanthie Dammika Kariyawasam, Chathurika Madushani Jayasinghe, Chamini Sajeeva Dasanayake, Achini Indika and Lakisha Weerakoon. 

For the first time, the awards also opened up the opportunity for foreign jewellery design enthusiasts to send in their designs. The international segment asked to skilfully use the blue sapphire as a primary piece of gemstone.

Out of 26 designs, three finalists were chosen; they include Kevin Susanto Ngo from Singapore, Zhang Yee Jing from Malaysia and Dhillon Harleen Kaur from India. 

With creativity and design being at the heart of the 2015 Awards, the Export Development Board which plays a prominent role in promoting, developing and recognising industry talent said that innovation is the cornerstone of the sector.

“When it comes to precious gemstones, the value addition of it would be in jewellery. For a long time, Sri Lankan jewellery designers have been catering to the international retailers and market but the design segment locally is largely underdeveloped,” said Bandula Egodage, Chairman and Chief Executive of the EDB. “It is here that the EDB would like to maximise resources and opportunities to provide artisans an opportunity to gain international exposure whilst uplifting the local gem and jewellery sector.”

He also added the EDB has provided the opportunity for local jewellery manufactures to showcase their products at the SME Pavilion since 1991. Last year, students of the University of Moratuwa were given the opportunity to present their creations. This year the Sri Lanka College of Technology will be given a free space at the designer corner at the EDB pavilion.

This year’s awards are sponsored by A M A Careem Jewellers, Colombo Jewellery Stores, Devi Jewellers, Lalitha Jewellery Mart Ltd., Ravi Jewellers, Sifani Jewellers, Unique Jewellers and Wellawatta Nithyakalyani Jewellers.