Gold jewellery design contest to tap talent

The Indian arm of the London-based World Gold Council (WGC) and AngloGold Ashanti of South Africa have launched Auditions, a popular gold jewellery design competition, in association with Tanishq and Rand Refinery.

Hailed as the Oscars of gold jewellery design competition worldwide, Auditions comes to India after recognising the latent talent among jewellery designers in Brazil, South Africa, China and West Asia. The second edition of the jewellery design competition was announced by designer Raghavendra Rathore recently.

Positioned as a global benchmark of cutting-edge gold jewellery design, the competition confirms that the yellow metal is going through a major metamorphosis.

The competition in India will be open to all designers ranging from jewellery to other design disciplines. It has been initiated with an aim to identify, recognise and motivate talent among students of design institutes, goldsmiths and craftsmen and provide them with worldwide recognition.

An expert panel comprising professionals from the design and jewellery segment has been specially constituted for Auditions.

The theme for this year's Auditions is "trendsetting gold", which aims to bring about a range of new designs in gold jewellery and ideas with a completely fresh design aesthetic that appeal to the new-age Indian woman. The theme draws its inspiration from the modern world of fashion and textiles, enabling contestants to create original jewels that establish fashion trends.

"The unique model of recognising the efforts of entrepreneurs of the industry will encourage designers to continue their innovative skills in the areas of designing and unique craftsmanship," said Ajay Mitra, managing director, Indian sub-continent, WGC.

The WGC is planning to organise 30 workshops across the country to apprise participants to send their entry forms duly filled in by the first fortnight of November. The winners in three different categories would be declared in December with the top-three finalists winning grand prizes of 500 grams, 250 grams and 100 grams gold.