Harper's BAZAAR Diamond Guild Australia 2007 Jewellery Award Winners
The Diamond Solitaire Award
Perth jeweller Blennerhassett Fine Jewellers has won the Harper’s BAZAAR Diamond Guild Australia 2007 Jewellery Award in the Diamond Solitaire Piece category. Designer Susan Blennerhassett created a stunning white gold and diamond ring, named With A Twist. Ms Blennerhassett explained that the solitaire ring is designed to curl and swirl around and off the finger, capturing a 1.00-carat brilliant cut diamond on its journey. Ms Blennerhassett and her business partner and husband John have showrooms in Claremont and Nedlands and a combined 66 years of experience in the jewellery business.
The Pink Diamond Award
Queensland jeweller Gordon Herford has won the Harper’s BAZAAR Diamond Guild Australia 2007. Gordon Herford created a stunning yellow and white gold ring featuring pink and white diamonds. Designing for his jewellery house, Gordon Herford Master Jeweller in Noosa, Mr Herford was inspired by floral lace for his piece, Fleur de Luminiere (or Flower of Light). “Two bands were incorporated to create one ring, one being an 18-carat white gold concave inner band set with a bed of 220 white diamonds and the outer band was hand-carved creating a floral design which was in 22-carat yellow gold and set with varying sizes of pink Argyle diamonds in the centre of each flower,” said Mr Herford.
The Fancy Diamond Award
NSW jeweller Percy Marks has won the Fancy Diamond Award with a white gold and diamond ring; Cameron Marks from Percy Marks, one of Sydney’s long-established jewellers, said that there is nothing more satisfying that looking at the beauty of a precious gemstone and creating an innovative design. “The Harper’s BAZAAR Diamond Guild Australia Jewellery Awards gave us the opportunity to push the boundaries of design which was a great challenge,” he said. “Winning the award is a wonderful recognition of our innovation and craftsmanship,” added Mr Marks.
The Diamond Earrings Award
NSW jeweller Bunda has won the Diamond Earrings Award with platinum and diamond earrings. Bunda’s Ben Bunda said he was inspired by progression and style. “I wanted to create a pair of diamond earrings that brought to life the brilliance of diamonds with stylish platinum spray. The futuristic angular platinum petals brought together in the form of a classic diamond clip earring make the piece stylish and most importantly wearable,” Mr Bunda said.
The Open Category Award
NSW jeweller Gary Thryegod has won the Open Category Award with a white gold and pavé-set pink and white diamond ring. Gary Thyregod explained his inspiration was to challenge himself by transforming the concept of a simplistic form into a stunning piece of jewellery. “I wanted to create a piece which was simple and elegant and a bit of fun as well. I was thinking of a ball with a hole through it which sounds quite ordinary but when this concept was translated into a piece of jewellery, it became a stunning white gold and pavé-set pink and white diamond ring,” Mr Thryegod said.
The inaugural Men’s Jewellery Award
Melbourne jeweller Precious Metals Holloway Diamonds has won the Inaugural Men’s Jewellery Award category. Designer Garry Holloway created a unique ebony, platinum and diamond bracelet, called Domino Effect. Inspired by the simple yet masculine domino, Mr Holloway explained that his design replaced the dot on the dominoes with diamonds to create a contrast between the dark ivory and the sparkling diamonds.