AWARD WINNING JEWELLERY DESIGNERS ANNOUNCED Lightning Ridge, New South Wales: The opal jewellery design awards were announced on Saturday night at a star-studded black tie event at the Lightning Ridge & District Bowling Club. Jewellers from all over Australia, international guests and locals gathered at Lightning Ridge for the announcement of the most outstanding opal jewellery designers. The Prestige Award photo courtesy of Len Cram This was presented to Raphael Jewellers for their stunning pearl enhancer featuring free form opal with undulating surfaces. The piece included a 21.8 carat blue green opal (carved by Lightning Ridge based Daniela L'Abbate) with a 0.20 carat round brilliant diamond, yellow gold bezel set with 7 diamonds paved, set to define Tasmania. The wholesale value of the entry is in excess of $50,000. The Prestige Award is sponsored by Palloys Pty Ltd with the $3000 opal prize being donated by Down to Earth Opals. The Apprentice Prestige Award photo courtesy of Len Cram Presented to Warren Brown. The piece "Southern Cross" featured a two faced opal with a diamond set in an18 carat yellow gold setting. Warren is a fourth year apprentice, working with Kings Hall Jewellers in Dubbo. Professional jeweller section, following is the list of category award winners: Ring: photo courtesy of Len Cram Phillip Mason, Masons Studio Jewellers in Hobart Pendant/Necklace: photo courtesy of Len Cram Sam Farmer of Sam Farmer Design in Perth Brooch: photo courtesy of Len Cram Jim He, Emperor Jewellers in Sydney Bangle/Bracelet: photo courtesy of Len Cram Rowarn Luder of Jewelgem, Sunshine Coast Pearl Enhancer/Clasp photo courtesy of Len Cram Raphael Jewellers of Sydney Tie Pin or Bar: photo courtesy of Len Cram Ian McArthur, MacArt Jewellery of Belingen Judges Commendations were presented to: Ring category photo courtesy of Len Cram Mariora Australia on the Gold Coast Pendant/Necklace category photo courtesy of Len Cram Opal Fields , Sydney and Jeramie Carter, Coffs Harbour NSW Brooch category photo courtesy of Len Cram Ciprian Jewellers from Albany ,WA Pearl Enhancer category photo courtesy of Len Cram Christopher Green of South Australia First prize overall in the professional jeweller photo courtesy of Len Cram Awarded to Phillip Mason of Masons Studio Jewellers in Hobart. Second Prize overall in the professional jeweller photo courtesy of Len Cram Jim He of Emperor Jewellers in Sydney Apprentice jeweller category Pendant/Necklace First prize photo courtesy of Len Cram Warren Brown of King Hall Jewellers Second place overall in the apprentice section. photo courtesy of Len Cram Rachel Drayton of North Melbourne Institute of Technology Carving section First prize in the Figurative section photo courtesy of Len Cram Ian Bell, Oz Rainbow Lightning Ridge based. First prize in the abstract section. photo courtesy of Len Cram Christine Roussel Christine also received first prize overall in the carving section Second prize overall photo courtesy of Len Cram Ian Bell Objet d'art First prize photo courtesy of Len Cram Ian Bell of Oz Rainbow Judges commendation photo courtesy of Len Cram Daniela L'Abbate. Hand Sketch Category First prize photo courtesy of Len Cram Jacqueline Carniato of Jaccar Australia in Belfield Judges Commendations photo courtesy of Len Cram Kate Hunter of Yorkeys Knob photo courtesy of Len Cram Roxanne Tu of California. Non-Professional Category First prize photo courtesy of Len Cram Awarded to Violet Verginis of North Melbourne Institute of Technology Second prize photo courtesy of Len Cram Awarded to Marilyn Vallance from Canada Third place. photo courtesy of Len Cram Vicki Leigh of the North Melbourne Institute of Technology received Judges commendations photo courtesy of Len Cram John Corbett of North Melbourne Institute of Technology photo courtesy of Len Cram Reg Procter of Coal Point People's Choice Award Getting a better picture stay tuned John Iskenderian of Iskenderian Jewellers was again successful in winning the with his piece "Rainbow Serpent" Warren Brown received second place, with Christine Roussel and Jim He receiving the third highest amount of votes by the visitors to the Exhibition. President of the Opal Jewellery Design Awards said "The entries were truly amazing. We had a fantastic range of jewellery from commercial contemporary pieces to creative objet d'art in the competition. The entries reflect a high level of talent and creativity and the judges decision was an extremely difficult one. My congratulations not only goes to Raphael Jewellers and Warren Brown for the major awards, but all the designers in the competition". "The jewellery awards competition is a great way of showcasing the talent within the Australian jewellery industry and we thank the designers for participating, sponsors for providing the financial support, stallholders, miners and visitors to the event. We have received a positive response to this year's event and look forward to the next competition in 2005", said Mrs Carney. The opal jewellery design awards is managed by the Opal Jewellery Design Awards Association (OJDAA) - a non profit organisation based in Lightning Ridge. OJDAA works to promote the opal industry and to increase awareness of Lightning Ridge as a tourist destination. Further information: Angela Myers ph. Australia 02 6829 4488 Please source all photos with "Award Winner, Opal Jewellery Design Awards 2003, Piece designed by (name of designer, jeweller), photo courtesy of Len Cram)