Gender-Fluid Coloured Gem Jewellery Design Challenge
The Gender-Fluid Coloured Gem Jewellery Design Challenge aims to celebrate the new voices of design, unlock the market potential of gender-fluid jewellery and highlight the storytelling power of coloured gemstones. The Design Challenge seeks to inspire excitement, drive fresh demand and foster a love for jewellery − especially among younger consumers − while empowering the next generation of artists to embrace bold, inclusive perspectives beyond traditional gender norms.
In partnership with industry sponsors, the winning designs will be brought to life and showcased at Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong (JGW) in September. This offers participants a rare and invaluable opportunity to see their creative visions realised and celebrated on the global stage.
KEY DATES
- Champion the next wave of design talent: Inspire promising designers to push their creative boundaries and create jewellery that connects with younger consumers
- Create new market demand: Tap into the gender-fluid jewellery market with bold, innovative designs featuring coloured gemstones
- Highlight the diversity of coloured gemstones: Showcase the vibrant spectrum of coloured gems and their creative possibilities in jewellery design
- Foster industry succession: Encourage the next generation’s active participation in both the supply and demand sides of the jewellery industry
1. Earrings
Earrings that defy convention − ear cuffs, climbers, studs and stacks − are at the heart of this category. We are looking for bold designs that go beyond traditional lobe piercings, encouraging experimentation with mixed metals, unique shapes and innovative gemstone combinations. The goal is to create striking, genderless jewellery that makes a statement. Designers are welcome to incorporate materials like wood, shells and metals to produce wearable art that redefines ear adornments. Coloured gemstones should take centre stage in the design, with the final creation envisioned to retail at a price capped at approximately US$1,000.
2. Rings
Rethink rings with boundless creativity − whether it is multi-finger styles, cocktail rings or entirely new concepts. This category dares designers to come up with androgynous pieces that celebrate individuality and style over tradition. Alongside precious stones and metals, non-traditional materials such as wood, rough stones, mother-of-pearl shells and other elements may be used, offering endless possibilities for bold, gender-fluid designs. Coloured gemstones should take the spotlight, with a retail price limit of US$1,000.
3. Brooches
Brooches are the ultimate symbol of versatility and gender-neutral elegance. Once considered outdated, they have made a striking resurgence as bold, statement accessories that transcend traditional fashion norms. This category challenges designers to reimagine brooches beyond the classic lapel pin, encompassing multiuse pieces that can double as pendants, belt buckles and stylish accents for bags, hats and scarves, as well as decorative charms with tech features! Coloured gemstones should play a central role in the design, with the final creation positioned at an approximate retail price of US$1,000.
WHO CAN JOIN
- Open to all Asia-based students enrolled in recognised jewellery design or jewellery-making programmes across the region
- Participants must provide proof of current enrolment in a jewellery design or making course (e.g., enrolment certificate)
- Each participant is allowed to submit a maximum of two (2) entries
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Entrants must NOT be professional designers. Those INELIGIBLE to participate include:
- Individuals employed as jewellery designers
- Individuals providing design services to brands or jewellery manufacturers
- Anyone whose designs have been significantly commercialised or have had notable commercial impact - There are NO entry or registration fees
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
1. Design Rights/Copyright
- Submissions must be the participant’s original creation and must not be commercially available, previously published or have won any other jewellery design competition. Additionally, entries must not infringe on the intellectual property rights of any third party.
- Participants retain the copyright to their designs but grant the organisers and sponsors the right to produce, promote and display the winning entries at JGW 2026.
2. Coloured Gemstone Focus
Coloured gemstones must make up at least 60% of the total gemstones used in the design. Additional elements, such as diamonds, pearls and alternative materials like leather, wood, fabric, shell and resin, may also be incorporated to enhance the jewellery piece. (See “Materials Guidelines”.)
3. Retail Price Cap
Completed jewellery pieces, created as realisations of the winning entries, must have a retail price of no more than US$1,000 each.
4. Entry Format
- 3D renderings or hand-drawn sketches must be submitted in high-resolution digital format (JPG, 8 x 10 inches, 300 dpi), showing the front, side and top views. All images must be clear and detailed since these will serve as the primary basis for voting and scoring.
- Entries must include dimensions and material specifications (e.g. coloured gemstone types, carat weight, metal type and other materials that will be used such as leather, wood, fabric, shell, resin, pearls and diamonds, among others).
5. Design Description
Entries must come with concept statements (200 – 300 words) explaining the inspiration, theme interpretation (gender-fluid jewellery) and material choices.
6. Cost Breakdown
A detailed breakdown of the estimated material costs, including gemstones and metals, must be provided.
MATERIALS GUIDELINES
The challenge is to create innovative, striking designs within the given limitations:
- Materials: It is mandatory that coloured gemstones make up at least 60% of the total gemstones used. Other gemstones (diamonds and pearls, among others) and alternative materials such as leather, wood, fabric, shell and resin, to name a few, may be incorporated into the design
- Metal Types: 9-karat gold, silver and stainless steel, among others
- Retail Price Limit: Estimated maximum retail price of US$1,000 for the realised jewellery piece
In April, the Informa Markets Jewellery team, in collaboration with industry experts, will conduct a preliminary review of entries to ensure they meet all submission requirements and that participants are eligible to compete.
Shortlisted entries will then be evaluated by industry experts and competition sponsors to select the finalists.
Finalist designs will be showcased at Jewellery & Gem ASIA Hong Kong (JGA) in June, where they will be assessed using a dual scoring system that includes Judging Panel Scoring and Public Voting.
DUAL SCORING SYSTEM: JUDGING PANEL & PUBLIC VOTING
The winners in each category will be determined by combining the judges’ scores (weighted at 60%) and the public voting scores (weighted at 40%). The top three scorers in each category will be declared as winners.
1. Judges’ Evaluation: Scoring Weight 60%
Designs are assessed using a structured scoring system based on a set of criteria, namely design concept and creativity, innovative use of coloured gemstones and attention to detail. The judging panel comprises established jewellery designers, representatives from jewellery associations and competition sponsors (jewellers), among others.
JUDGING CRITERIA
I. Design concept & creativity: 50%
– Originality and uniqueness of the overall design
– Innovative interpretation of gender-fluid aesthetics
– Balance between artistic expression and functionality
II. Creative use of coloured gemstones: 30%
– Thoughtful incorporation of coloured gemstones into the design
– Effective use of colour combinations to enhance the design’s visual appeal
– Harmony between the gemstones and the overall jewellery concept
III. Attention to detail: 20%
– Demonstration of technical understanding in the design’s structure and proportions
– Feasibility of translating the 3D rendering or hand-drawn sketch into a physical piece
2. Online Public Voting: Scoring Weight 40%
Votes are based on popular choice, allowing JGA exhibitors and registered visitors of JGA and JGW to select their favourite designs per category without detailed scoring.
ONLINE VOTING PLATFORM GOES LIVE DURING JGA (18 – 21 June)
- JGA exhibitors and registered JGA and JGW buyers will be invited by email to participate via a dedicated one-time voting link to the voting page, where they can select their favourite designs in each category.
- A simple registration process (requiring name, email and phone number) ensures vote authenticity and prevents duplicate submissions.
- Online voting will close at 5pm on 21 June, marking the conclusion of JGA 2026.
The top three designs with the highest scores in each category will be declared winners. These designs will be manufactured by the sponsors and showcased at JGW 2026. The Awards Presentation Ceremony will take place during the JGW Fair Reception on 16 September at the Grand Foyer of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).
PRIZES
- A sponsored trip to Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong (JGW) in September 2026 for the winners in each category, consisting of economy flights, a 3-night hotel stay and a daily allowance for three (3) days. This prize is exclusively for overseas winners and does not apply to those based in Hong Kong
- Winning jewellery creations will be showcased at select fairs organised by Informa Markets Jewellery, both within and outside Hong Kong. Following the roadshow, the jewellery pieces will be returned to the designers, who will retain full ownership of their creations
- Editorial coverage in JNA publications
