AWARDS

“Cocoon”, a neckpiece by Nina’s apprentice Marita Bilsby was awarded runner-up in the Belle of the Ball category of the prestigious AGR Matthey Next Generation Jewellery design awards.

The awards, run by Australia’s largest gold jewellery manufacturer AGR Matthey, recognise excellence and innovation in the area of gold jewellery design and aim to develop young talent ensuring the availability of unique jewellery in Australia.

Marita completed the neckpiece, a gold wire frame that twists like a hollow rope to form “cocoons” around the neck and contains a white gold sphere, while still a student at Central TAFE.

In September 2004, Mark Blyth from Nina’s in Dunsborough took top honours in the Gold category of the prestigious national Jewellery Association of Australia (JAA) awards.

As the only national awards for the industry, this biennial event recognises excellence in craftsmanship and design in eight categories from opals to diamonds. Jewellers are expected to hand create original entries using Australian materials.

The association’s CEO John Howie believes the awards gives Australian jewellery designers and apprentices the opportunity to demonstrate that our industry is able to hold its head high with the best in the world. “Once again we dared them to shine and shine they did,” he said.

Mark’s win has spurred him on to enter more competitions here and abroad and he believes Australian designers are among the best in the world. “It’s unfortunate that some people still look to European designers as the leaders in jewellery fashion when we have such awesome talent right here in Australia.”

Aptly titled “Mountain Twilight”, Mark’s 18 and 22-carat gold bangle features pink and white Argyle diamonds. The gold captures the contour of the Stirling Range’s shadows and ridges while 1.83 carats of pink and white diamonds capture the stars. The piece was fashioned over 100 hours with the support and assistance of Nina’s principal craftsman and company CEO, Steve Turner.