Featured image: Best of Show, “Origami—Window with a View Collection” By Sophia Hu from Las Vegas, NV, United StatesAt a celebration dinner held on May 20, during the Santa Fe Symposium® in Albuquerque, NM, Rio Grande announced the winners of the 18th annual Saul Bell Design Award competition. In this international competition, finalists were selected from hundreds of entries, submitted by designers from countries around the world. The work in these pieces epitomizes the very best of the jewelry industry in creativity, design and fabrication. From this work, through two rounds of rigorous judging, experts drawn from across the jewelry industry chose a best-of-show and first- and second-place winners from designs submitted in nine competitive categories. Prizes, awards and congratulations were presented to each winning designer at a gala dinner and celebration event. The winning designs, as well as all finalist pieces, are featured online at saulbellaward.com with downloadable, high-resolution photos of each entry available as well.
“In the 17 years I've been with Rio Grande, it’s been an honor to see so many talented designers rise to the challenge of creating awe-inspiring pieces and to hear their stories of creation,” said Rio Grande Creative Director Jamie Gros.
Rio Grande thanks the dedicated judges—and all the jewelry makers who put their designs in front of these industry experts to be seen, evaluated and recognized—and congratulates each of the winners and finalists, whose work rose to a level of creativity that, as always, is breathtaking.
To see a full list of winners, please visit www.saulbellaward.com/2018-winners
Since launching in 2001, the Saul Bell Design Award has become one of the most sought-after prizes for jewelers and metalsmiths worldwide. For information about the 2018 Saul Bell Design Award competition, designers are invited to visit saulbellaward.com, email [email protected] or call 800.952.6222.
About Rio Grande:
Among the largest worldwide suppliers to the jewelry industry, Rio Grande was founded in 1944 by Saul Bell, a skilled bench jeweler, teacher and mentor who supported metalsmiths and jewelers throughout his life. Today, Rio Grande is a member of The Richline Group, a Berkshire Hathaway Company, and remains committed to supporting jewelers in every way possible.
