2017 EMERGING JEWELRY ARTIST
22 YEARS OF AGE OR YOUNGER

Reserved for designers 22 years of age or younger, this category places no limitation on media used and requires only that the finished piece is wearable jewelry adornment and fabricated by the entrant.

First Place
"Flexibility"
Jason Baide
Bozeman, MT, USA

Artist Statement: Hand-fabricated from wire and tubing, "Flexibility" is a different take on the symbolic nature of wedding rings. "Flexibility" is strong yet supple. It is fluid and dynamic. Its strength is derived from its many connections. It has the permanence of gold and the uniqueness of untreated Montana Yogo sapphires.

Second Place
"Embrace"
Yeonjung Hong
Providence, RI, USA

Artist Statement: The "Embrace" ring explores creating forms that hold a stone with a single piece of sheet metal. The shape is inspired by the movements of wrapping and embracing. It is hand-fabricated with sheet brass and a tube-set cubic zirconia. It is plated in 24-karat gold.