Second Annual Buccellati Award Winner
Ching-Hui Weng, a 2018 graduate of GIA’s Jewelry Design program in Taiwan, received the second annual Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design. One of 18 finalists from GIA’s seven schools, her winning design was a bird brooch (see above) featuring white and yellow gold, white and yellow diamonds, opal, aquamarine, lapis lazuli, black chalcedony, and coral. “My inspiration for this piece is the Urocissa caerulea, a blue bird that represents Taiwan,” said Weng. “The gemstones in this piece illustrate the bird’s fierce temperament and flight.”
Weng will travel to Italy to meet Mrs. Buccellati and view part of the foundation’s collection. She will also receive a plaque recognizing her achievement.
“We are pleased to congratulate Ms. Ching-Hui Weng, and look forward to welcoming her to Italy. Together with GIA, we hope to continue to encourage and support the dreams of young jewelry designers throughout the world,” said Larry French, chief officer of North America strategies for the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation. “We know Gianmaria would have been proud to have his name on an event that celebrates, so beautifully, the art of jewelry design, the art that he loved so much.”
Submissions were presented as original, hand-rendered designs. Following several phases of judging, they were finally evaluated by a panel of industry experts. Weng was announced as the winner at the annual GIA alumni event held during the AGTA Gem Fair in Tucson.
The Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation sponsors the award to inspire beginning designers and honor the house’s founder. The 2019 award is now open to GIA Jewelry Design students who meet the eligibility requirements.
