New York City. Oct. 17, 2022. The Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA) announces the finalists in the U.S. division of the 13th Annual International Pearl Design Competition (IPDC). Sixty-one U.S. submissions were narrowed down to 14 finalists after judges viewed images of all entries.

The judges are Jean Francois Bibet, workshop and production director at Cartier; and Patricia Faber, co-owner of Aaron Faber Gallery in Manhattan; 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. Grosz is participating only in the first stage of judging.

A day of live judging will take place in a private location in Manhattan on Nov. 1.

Select winning entries and finalists of Faber’s choice will be on display and for sale at the Gallery starting Nov. 3, 2022.

On Thursday, Nov. 3, U.S., International, and student winners will be announced. 

Finalists in the U.S. division are as follows. 

Detachable South Sea Baroque Pearl, Natural Namibian Chalcedony, and Diamond earrings by Ashleigh Branstetter of Ashleigh Branstetter Jewelry

Treasure of the Sea bracelet by Paula Crevoshay of Crevoshay

Spiral Tendril earrings by Etienne Perret of Etienne Perret

4-in-1 Baroque Pearl Harness by Ken Borochov of Mordekai LLC

Sunrise Revisited, Tribute to Monet pin/pendant by Scott Cusson of S. D. Cusson LLC

 

Thermal Blue Byzance earrings by Katerina Evanthia Wheeler of Katerina Evanthia Custom Jewelry

Mermaid’s Love ring by Jarilyn Lim of Jarilyn Jewelry

Hypnotique Pearl Collar by by Katerina Evanthia Wheeler of Katerina Evanthia Custom Jewelry

Oceana Pearl earrings by Tariq Riaz of Tariq Riaz LLC

Asymmetrical cuff by Barbara Heinrich of Barbara Heinrich Jewelry

Tahitian Pearl Drawstring earrings by Shana Ma of Chaulri

 

Black Lace Tahitian ring by Brenda Smith of Brenda Smith Jewelry

Nautilus earrings by Adam Neeley of Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry, Inc.

Twist & Turns South Sea Pearl earrings by Susan Gordon of Susan Gordon Jewelry

  

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 on this date.

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

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.

 

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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 the Cultured Pearl Association of America, please visit CPAA.org.