Fourth Annual Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award

Brooke Goedert

Belle Sin Ting Wong, a graduate of GIA’s Jewelry Design program in Hong Kong, received the fourth annual Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design. This year, the prestigious award was announced virtually due to the global pandemic shuttering the Tucson gem shows. Sin Ting Wong (see above) was one of nine finalists selected from a competing group of more than 100 students from GIA’s seven campuses. Her winning design was inspired by the Siamese fighting fish and features diamond, sapphire, pearl, jadeite, and enamel set in 18K yellow and white gold.

Sin Ting Wong hopes to raise environmental awareness through this brooch design and advocates the use of sustainable products or “we might be very close to losing these beautiful creatures and quicken the pace of global warming.”

She will travel to Italy, where she will have the opportunity to meet Rosa Maria Bresciani Buccellati, the president of the foundation.

Laurie Bailyn, GIA senior manager of jewelry manufacturing arts, said, “It is incredible that so many students managed to complete their Jewelry Design studies in 2020, despite the challenges of the global pandemic. Many of the beautiful, original designs that students created this year were inspired by themes of connection and community.”

The 2021 Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design competition is currently open to GIA Jewelry Design students who meet the eligibility requirements. For more information on entering the competition, visit gia.edu/buccellati-foundation-award-jewelry-design