Gold features in opera-themed awards

A jury has chosen 44 laureates for the HRD Awards 2007, the theme of which was a Night at the Opera.

Out of 1,092 designs, the final 44 were selected for their originality and style and the designs featured white gold and diamonds.

Reporting on the finalists, JCK Online notes that Belgian finalist Annelies Weinberger created her design around the theme of a mouth piece or tache de beaute, an 18th century custom. The design was made of yellow gold and messing with diamonds.

Timothe Windeshausen, 29, of Belgium took inspiration for his "Les Ramaux Enchantes" design from opera Pelleas and Melissande and created an arm-shoulder piece made partly out of gold and set in white gold with diamonds.

Ray Yan's necklace "The Shining Light" was sculpted from yellow gold.

The competition was open to professional and non-professional designers internationally including students, graduates, teachers, jewellers and goldsmiths - but not to companies.