Chinese Jewelry Designer Wins Schuetz Contest

A telescope-inspired ring made of gold, black onyx, jadeite, and diamonds designed by Hong Zheng of China was the winner of the 29th annual George A. Schuetz Design Competition - the first time a Chinese national has won the contest dedicated to the best in men’s jewelry designs.

Once a special lecturer to the Jewelry Institute of China’s Geology University, Zheng said his design was inspired by one of his favorite shapes as a child, the telescope. "It reflects the longing and aspiration to the world," he said. "The design is neat, simple, and smooth. Cylindrical stone cutting is used throughout. It shows the gentle side of masculinity, tinged with oriental charm."

Phillip Weeks, contest administrator and financial aid manager at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), said the 105 entries submitted this year was double the 2004 total. "Since the applications are now offered on the GIA’s web site, it’s much easier to send in designs," he said.

In honor of his achievement, Zheng received $500 and a circular-faceted trophy with his name etched in it - another new element of the contest this year.

"I am very pleased that my design has received affirmative recognition from GIA, and I would like to take part in future design contests held by GIA so as to enhance academic exchange between China and the U.S." Zheng added.

Ranked by a panel of independent industry specialists, the entries were judged blindly, based on the same criteria that is used in both the jewelry industry and in the GIA’s jewelry design classes: design, wearability, manufacturability, and appeal.

Second-place winner Hyun Jung Min of Seoul, Korea designed a tie tack and cuff links made of black onyx, white and yellow gold, and melee diamonds. She is a recent graduate of the GIA’s Jewelry Design program.

Meanwhile, Soroo Park, a Korean working with Harry Mason Designer Jewelry in San Francisco, won third place trophy for her double-sided, reversible pendant/ring made of platinum, gold, diamond, and blue sapphire.

Once a car designer for Kia Motors, Park said her experience there inspired her design to emulate man’s relationship with his car. A diamond is showcased on one side of the pendant, and on the other, a rectangular, table-cut blue sapphire is featured. "It’s the bright side of man on one side and the dark side on the other," she said. The pendant can be also transformed into a men’s ring.

Named in honor of men’s jewelry designer and entrepreneur George A. Schuetz, the competition recognizes the best original designs in men’s jewelry and accessories.

Some source material reprinted with permission from IDEX Magazine (http://www.idexonline.com/).