Sun Fengmin, Vice President and Secretary General of China Gems & Jewellery Trade Association, speaks at the awards ceremony of the 5th China Jewellery Design Contest in Beijing, on Wednesday, October 31, 2007.

The awards ceremony of the 5th China Jewellery Design Contest (Chow Taiseng Cup), held in Beijing on Wednesday, showed the great market prospects for Chinese designed and manufactured jewelry in the international jewelry market.

After a one year process of collecting, manufacturing and selecting pieces, the 5th China Jewellery Design Contest concluded with one first prize, two second prizes, three third prizes and one best manufacture prize awarded in each of the four divisions of gold & silver, colored stones, diamond and pearl.

The contest, first held in 1999, has gained increasing international attention. In 2006, the top world watch and jewelry show BASELWORLD invited the winning works from the China Jewelry Design Contest to participate in Switzerland.

The 2007 event, with the theme "Fascinating Orient", impressed foreign guests with the use of Chinese characteristics within the designs. As features unique to Chinese designed jewellery, the Chinese elements can be a good selling point for the international jewelry industry.

Maire-Josee Trepanier, the Chief Executive Officer of Polygon, considered the jewellery industry's largest internet marketplace, greatly appreciated the Chinese culture shown in the jewellery designs.

"I think that you have culturally some design that is worth promoting. Chinese culture is very very appreciated at abroad. And I think that only can be found with the designer here in China. They can really put some emphases on culturally. It promotes your culture and at the same time it's very tasteful."

According to foreign guests, further development of the Chinese jewellery industry requires more exposure. Greater awareness of Chinese designers and their designs in the international market can generate interest, and therefore market shares to Chinese jewellery industry.

Some foreign guests suggested one of the most effective ways to make Chinese designed jewellery to the whole world is to cooperate with international organizations. Both the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) have expressed interest in working with Chinese jewellery industry.

The foreign guests also recognized the promotional effects of competitions like the China Jewelry Design Contest. Dr. David Rutledge, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), thinks the contest is an important effort.

"Competitions like the one we saw here today are excellent ways of encouraging designers and manufacturers in the development of the industry, so I think that's an excellent step. I think that what the industry is doing at the moment is very much in the right direction."

Since 1999, the China Jewellery Design Contest is held every two years to foster Chinese designers and to develop international views on the Chinese jewelry industry. The fifth event in 2007 was held in conjunction with the first China Jewellery Photography Contest.
 

Dr. David Rutledge, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), appreciates the jewellery at the 5th China Jewellery Design Contest in Beijing, on Wednesday, October 31, 2007.

A model shows the piece "Flowers", the winner of the gold & silver jewellery division, at the awards ceremony of the 5th China Jewellery Design Contest in Beijing, on Wednesday.

A model shows the piece "New story of Mulan", winner in the division of diamond jewellery at the awards ceremony of the 5th China Jewellery Design Contest in Beijing, on Wednesday, October 31, 2007.

A model with the piece "Olympic hiding dragons" which earned the first prize in the pearl jewellery division at the 5th China Jewellery Design Contest in Beijing, on Wednesday.

First prize winners from the four divisions of gold & silver, colored gemstone, diamond and pearl are honored at the awards ceremony of the 5th China Jewellery Design Contest in Beijing, on Wednesday, October 31, 2007.

(CRI.cn November 1, 2007)