New York, NY – June 30, 2020.The Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA) kicks off its 11^th Annual International Pearl Design Competition (IPDC) today, complete with another exciting collaboration with a prominent retailer to showcase (and sell!) winning designs. The contest is open today through Friday, Oct. 2, 2020.

The CPAA celebrates pearls of all varieties, so it encourages seasoned and award-winning artists and beginners alike to compete in the IPDC. The goal: to create compelling new pearl jewelry designs worthy of recognition, media exposure, and possible sales.

Two divisions—international and domestic—will take place again this year. Those who live outside the U.S. compete by submitting renderings and sketches, while those who live within the U.S. will compete in two stages with finished jewels. U.S. entrants must be prepared to sell their piece if it reaches finalist or winner status!

The first stage for U.S. contest entrants is submitting 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 notified privately on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

The second stage is that finalists are expected to mail in their live pieces of finished jewelry for final live judging in New York City. Finalists must be willing to sell their pieces at the store of our retail partner, the Aaron Faber gallery in New York City.  

Winners will be chosen across all categories on the day of live judging and will be announced on Thursday, Oct. 29. Pieces 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 early 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 Oct. 29.

Awards categories are the same as last year. The Spotlight Award highlights one variety of pearl (golden South Sea this year) and aims to drive attention to the beauty and uniqueness of the different types of pearls available. The Popularity Award will allow CPAA followers on Instagram at @PearlsCPAA to choose their favorite pieces from all the U.S. entries.

Judges will be Patricia Faber, co-owner of Aaron Faber; Jean Francois Bibet, workshop and production director at Cartier; and Michelle Graff, editor in chief of NationalJeweler.com.

In light of worldwide hardships due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the cost to enter this year is $175 for your first two entries! Third entries and beyond (up to five total) are $150 apiece.

In its years of operation, the IPDC has attracted thousands of entries from more than 40 countries. The contest kicks off today, and final entries are due on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020. Winners will be announced on Thursday, Oct. 29, with a cocktail reception—pending citywide Covid-19 restrictions—that night at Aaron Faber.

“Each year CPAA builds strongly upon its past, reaching new audiences, shifting and improving contest guidelines, and most significantly, expanding our consumer-level collaborations,” says Kathy Grenier, marketing manager. “And now in our 11th year, it’s rewarding to see how far we've come. It is a privilege and honor to be part of this important initiative for pearls.”

For awards categories, entry instructions, and complete contest details, log onto www.cpaa.org.

Click here to read complete instructions.

Click here to purchase an entry. 

2020 IPDC Timeline at a Glance

Tuesday, June 30, 2020: 2020 IPDC Contest opens 

Friday, Oct. 2, 2020: Entries due by 

Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020: U.S. finalists learn privately who has made the cut and prepare to ship their pieces to CPAA for professional photography.

Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020: CPAA announces U.S. finalists.

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020: Day of live judging in New York City

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020: U.S. and international winners announced. Public reception held that night—pending citywide Covid-19 restrictions—that night at Aaron Faber.

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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.