New York City. Nov. 22, 2023. The Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA) announces the finalists in the U.S. division of the 14th Annual International Pearl Design Competition (IPDC). U.S. submissions were narrowed down to 12 finalists after judges viewed images of all entries.

The judges are Jean Francois Bibet, workshop and production director at Cartier; Patricia Faber, co-owner of Aaron Faber Gallery in Manhattan; Peggy Grosz, senior vice president, Assael; Maria Tsangaropoulos, supervisor of instruction at GIA’s New York City campus; and Severine Ferrari of Engagement 101 online magazine.

A day of live judging will take place in a private location in Manhattan on Nov. 28, 2023.

U.S., International, and student winners will be announced by Thursday, Dec. 7, at the latest.

Select winning entries and finalists of Faber’s choice will be on display and for sale at the Gallery starting in early December.

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

Echo earrings in 14k white gold and 14k, 18k, and 22k yellow gold with an ombré effect of white Akoya pearls graduating in size and color into golden South Sea pearls (22 total) with 2.40 cts. t.w. diamonds by Adam Neeley Designs

Leaf earrings in 18k yellow gold with 13 mm white Sea Pearls and 0.50 cts. t.w. diamonds by Rosario Garcia of R & E Garcia Inc.

Daphne Toi & Moi ring in 18k yellow gold with a 13 by 13 mm button-shape golden South Sea pearl, a 9.14 ct. carved peridot, 1.47 cts. t.w. akoya pearls, and 0.42 cts. t.w. diamonds by Stella Flame Jewelry

Amor ring in 22k gold with a 17.23 mm South Sea Mabé pearl by Amanda Rich of Stratford & Isabella

Lacey necklace in 18k yellow gold with white South Sea pearls, 13.26 cts. t.w. pink sapphires, and 6.21 cts. t.w. pink sapphires by Aloha Pearls & Schwartz

Sunflower necklace in 18k yellow gold with golden South Sea pearls and yellow diamonds by Aloha Pearls & Schwartz

Melodic Embrace of Love earrings in 18k white gold with 8–8.5 mm akoya cultured pearls, 8.5 – 12.2 mm Tahitian cultured pearls, 2.2 cts. t.w. diamonds, rubies, and blue sapphires by Chaulri

Geometric earrings in 18k rose gold with akoya pearls and cultured freshwater pearls by Tariq Riaz Jewelry

Bubble ring in 18k yellow gold with a 16 mm golden South Sea cultured pearl, amethyst, Tsavorite garnet, blue, yellow, and pink sapphires, and London blue topaz by Robin Callahan Designs

Harmony ring in 18k yellow gold with a 15.58 x 13.54 mm white cultured South Sea pearl, 1.27 cts. t.w. G-color, VS-clarity diamonds, and 0.65 cts. t.w. black color-enhanced diamonds by Robin Callahan Designs

Ring in 14k yellow gold and sterling silver wire with a cultured white freshwater pearl and faceted pink sapphires constructed using only needle nose pliers—no drills, glue, solder, heat, or magnification, by Jonathan Bassett of Transcendental Jewelry 

Purlieu necklace with custom alligator skin and tiger print rolo chain handcrafted in sterling silver, light to dark purple, pink, and peach freshwater cultured pearls and hematite beads by Annie Van Lenten of Ava Lenten Jewelry

Photo by Jeff Mason

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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.