From a starting pool of 1,225 submissions from 54 countries, IGI is pleased to showcase the 2024-25 IGI Expressions™ Jewelry Excellence Award Winners. This year’s theme, ‘A Journey to the Enchanted Forest,’ invited designs blending forest elements, fables, and mystery.
From the CEO
“Congratulations to all the winners! The creativity reflected in the designs for ‘A Journey to the Enchanted Forest’ is truly impressive. This competition serves as an excellent platform for emerging artists to express their passion for jewelry design while celebrating their unique visions and aspirations.”
The Convertible Jewelry Category
Convertible jewelry features designs that can be transformed into different types, such as converting a necklace into earrings or a ring into a bracelet. The judging panel selected three standout winners for this category; a CAD design, iPAD design and hand-drawn sketch.
“Journey to the Enchanted Forest” Brooch – Jing Zhao, China
Inspired by dreamlike realms of mystery, the “Journey to the Enchanted Forest” brooch opens the door to a fantastical adventure. The deer head and antlers are adorned with radiant gemstones and sparkling diamonds, intertwining in perfect harmony. Intricate enamel craftsmanship captures the vibrant beauty of the forest, where butterflies flutter, and tiny insects and animals subtly emerge. Flowers and plants bloom with vigor, each hue whispering nature’s secrets. The winding antlers guide the wearer on this magical journey, symbolizing triumph and leading into a world of unparalleled enchantment.
Artist Spotlight
Hello everyone, I’m Jing Zhao, a passionate jewelry designer. I firmly believe that jewelry is not merely an adornment; it is also a carrier of culture and emotion. My design philosophy is “Innovating by Integrating Tradition, Exquisitely Interpreting Art,” dedicated to incorporating modern elements with traditional culture in my designs to present jewelry pieces that demonstrate exceptional craftsmanship. I look forward to sharing more stories and inspirations about jewelry with you.
Butterfly and Blossom – Ma Hui, China
“When the blossom blooms, the butterfly naturally comes.” This design symbolizes the effortless allure of inner beauty, drawing a natural connection to the wonders of the world. As the wearer moves, the flowers sway while the silk butterflies remain still, creating a harmonious balance between movement and calm. This piece celebrates nature’s beauty and honors the wearer’s inner charm and elegance.
Artist Spotlight
I am Ma Hui, a dreamer who transitioned from TV hosting to jewelry design, now the founder of Red Box Lab-Grown Diamonds. Although the term “jewelry” originates from the West, as a Chinese designer I have always been inspired by the question: how can I blend the brilliance of diamonds with the richness of traditional Chinese culture? I believe the world stage needs something extraordinary, and it is my mission to make this vision a reality. In 2024, I pioneered the fusion of embroidery and diamonds, combining Suzhou hand embroidery, song brocade, and custom-dyed silk fabrics with Western diamond structures. This modern yet nostalgic style breaks the boundaries of traditional jewelry, creating a new language of avant-garde design. Winning the IGI Expressions™ International Jewelry Design Competition is a profound honor. This achievement celebrates not only my efforts but also the unwavering support of my team and partners. I am deeply grateful to Hong Kong TVB for shaping my international aesthetic as a child of television, and to my partners, family, investors, and team for empowering me to focus on creating innovative designs. Moving forward, I will continue to drive innovation, using design to explore the infinite possibilities of jewelry and showcase the unique charm of Chinese culture to the world.
Bloom of Love Necklace – Neda Hashemi, Austria
Inspired by the timeless tale of Beauty and the Beast, the Bloom of Love Necklace captures the evolution of their love story. Elements like branches, leaves, and blossoms represent the enchanted forest, while the choker, adorned with colorful baguette gemstones, symbolizes Belle’s passion for books—where their journey begins. The white roses on either side reflect the flowers Belle requested from her father, marking the start of their magical love story. As you approach the centre, the leaves grow greener and larger, symbolizing growth, while blossoms appear, representing the blossoming love. At the heart of the design is a large red rose, signifying the fulfilment of love between Beauty and the Beast, and also representing the Beast’s enchanted life.
This convertible piece transforms into separate components: the red rose can be worn as a brooch, the diamond-embellished chain with branches forms a necklace resembling two wings—symbolizing lovers in harmony—and the choker with baguette gems can be worn alone, offering endless versatility and beauty.
Crafted in yellow gold, the necklace mirrors the warm tones of tree trunks and branches, grounding the piece in the enchanted forest setting. A selection of emeralds, amethysts, rubies, and diamonds in various shades adds depth and color, each chosen for their symbolic significance and beauty. The white roses are rendered using traditional enamel techniques, providing a lustrous finish and enhancing their delicate beauty.
Artist Spotlight
I am Neda Hashemi. I started making jewelry in 2014, and over the years, I have completed courses in goldsmithing, gem cutting, engraving, stone setting, enamel painting, wax carving, and 3D jewelry design with Matrix. In 2019, I opened my own workshop-gallery where I am actively involved in jewelry making and teaching. My goal is to create unique jewelry using various techniques and design pieces that are not only beautiful and delicate but also deeply meaningful allowing the wearer to fully experience their beauty, energy, and emotions.
Awards and recognition
The artists above are being rewarded for their winning submissions with a champion trophy, a 500 USD cash prize, IGI Expressions™ certificate, and widespread social media recognition.
Sincere thanks to our esteemed jurists
This year’s nine IGI Expressions™ winners were selected by an international panel of distinguished experts, including Helen Mao of China, Rajiv Popley of India, Lisa Koenigsberg of the USA, Farah Yazbeck of the UAE along with Varuna D Jani and Neha Lulla of India.
We extend thanks to these esteemed artists for sharing their time and talent in helping IGI recognize and celebrate the creativity and vision of this year’s winners.
IGI Expressions™ remains a free, inclusive contest, celebrating diversity, creativity, and artistic freedom, and uplifting outstanding talent in the jewelry industry.
See More Winners
- From April 17th: IGI Expressions™ Showcase: Statement Piece Winners
- From April 19th: IGI Expressions™ Showcase: Accessories Winners
