New York, NY – Sept. 14, 2022. The Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA) has released its complete list of judges for the 13th Annual International Pearl Design Competition (IPDC).

The contest, which kicked off July 6, 2022, initially announced judges Patricia Faber, co-owner, Aaron Faber Gallery in Manhattan, and Jean Francois Bibet, workshop and production director at Cartier. Joining these jewelry experts are Lenore Fedow, associate editor, National Jeweler; Peggy Grosz, senior vice president, Assael; Maria Tsangaropoulos, supervisor of instruction at GIA’s New York City campus; Michael Coan, assistant professor, jewelry design department, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT); and Kathy Zaltas, owner, Zaltas Gallery, Mamaroneck, N.Y.

Jean Francois Bibet, Cartier

Judges will weigh in on two divisions, international and domestic, as well as on student entries. Residents living outside the U.S. will submit renderings and sketches for judging while U.S. entrants will be evaluated on finished jewels in two stages. Students compete with sketches or CAD renderings; one entry per student is permitted.

In the first stage for U.S. participants, judges will view professional photographs of completed pieces in one to three different angles (artist’s choice). Prejudging will take place from these photos, from which a list of finalists will emerge. U.S. finalists will be announced Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. The deadline for entries is Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.

The second stage of judging for U.S. finalists will occur with live, finished jewels mailed to CPAA in New York City. Live judging takes place at an undisclosed location in Manhattan on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022.

Assael’s Grosz will participate in the first stage of judging only, while the rest of the judges will take part in both.

Patricia Faber, Aaron Faber Gallery

Winners will be chosen across all categories on the day of live judging and will be announced on Thursday, Nov. 3. Select pieces—to be chosen by Faber—will immediately go on display and sale at the Aaron Faber Gallery in New York City. Unsold items will be returned to their makers in January.

U.S. finalists whose pieces are not chosen as winners will receive certificates, but their pieces could still be chosen to go to the Aaron Faber Gallery for display and sale. Notifications about all decisions will be made on Thursday, Nov. 3.

Peggy Grosz, Assael (Grosz will only participate in the first phase of judging)

Awards categories are revised for this year. The Spotlight Award highlights one variety of pearl—baroque shapes of both saltwater and freshwater pearls—to drive attention to the beauty and uniqueness of the different types of pearls available. A new Student award allows those still studying at a university with a jewelry arts program to enter with sketches and CAD renderings. A new Retailer’s Choice award replaces the Popularity Award and allows 4,000 of the nation’s top jewelry stores to choose their favorite pieces from all U.S. finalists. Pieces considered for the Luster award now must retail for under $3,000, so all entrants need to include wholesale prices of entries. The Orient award has been discontinued.

Lenore Fedow, National Jeweler

Maria Tsangaropoulos, GIA New York City

Michael Coan, FIT

Kathy Zaltas, Zaltas Gallery

In its years of operation, the IPDC has attracted thousands of entries from more than 40 countries. For awards categories, entry instructions, and complete contest details, click here.

To purchase an entry, click here. Students may click here to enter.

Revised 2022 IPDC Timeline

Wednesday, July 6, 2022. Contest Opens.

Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Contest Closes for Entries.

Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. Judges get U.S. finalist choices to CPAA.

Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. U.S. finalists announced. All finalists’ pieces are photographed this week by CPAA. Finalists must ship out their goods to CPAA’s photographer on this date.

Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022. Live judging in Manhattan occurs. 

Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022. All winners announced. Select U.S. winners and finalists will go on display and sale at the Aaron Faber Gallery in New York City.

Email Jennifer Heebner at JHeebner@cpaa.org with any questions.

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The Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA) is a nonprofit founded in 1957. The group comprises the finest manufacturers, wholesalers, dealers, and suppliers of cultured pearls in the United States, and its goals are to improve retail marketability of pearls and cultivate demand among consumers. Through promotion, education, public relations, and unwavering commitment to the category, CPAA aims to inspire an authentic passion for all cultured pearl varieties. For more information about becoming a certified pearl expert, please visit PearlsAsOne.org. To learn more about CPAA, please visit CPAA.org.