Carlsbad, Calif.—The prestigious Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has crowned the recipient of its esteemed seventh annual Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
Established in collaboration with the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation in 2018, the award serves as a platform to spotlight the outstanding creativity of GIA’s jewelry design students on a global scale.
The 2023 accolade was bestowed upon Suhan Wang, an alumnus of the GIA institution in Taipei, Taiwan, during the annual GIA Alumni Collective celebration held in Tucson, Arizona.
Wang’s winning creation drew inspiration from the lush expanse of the jungle, envisioned to be meticulously crafted in platinum and adorned with an array of precious gemstones including diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and tsavorites.
Describing her creative process, Wang expressed, “The inspiration stemmed from the serene and intricate elements found within the dense jungle. While the initial sketch took mere minutes, refining the intricate details and bringing the vision to life required countless hours.”
Reflecting on her journey at GIA, Wang remarked, “Attending GIA was a transformative experience, propelling me from zero to one in terms of growth. It instilled in me heightened aspirations, serving as a driving force in my career.”
Larry French, Chief Officer for North American Strategies at the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation, conveyed congratulations to Wang and fellow participants on behalf of the foundation and Rosa Maria Buccellati.
French acknowledged the invaluable contribution of GIA’s adept design instructors in nurturing the talents of the students, underscoring the significance of celebrating the artistry of jewelry design—a passion deeply cherished by the foundation’s founder, Gianmaria Buccellati.
Established in 2008, the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation stands as a testament to preserving the artistic and cultural legacy of both Gianmaria and his father, Mario, the visionary behind the renowned Italian jewelry brand.
The distinguished panel of judges for this year’s competition comprised:
Nanz Aalund, esteemed jewelry designer, goldsmith, and educator.
Cathy Calhoun, proprietor of Calhoun Jewelers.
Victoria Gomelsky, Editor-in-Chief of JCK.
Charles Lewton-Brain, esteemed jewelry artist and co-founder of the Ganoksin Project.
Rémy Rotenier, accomplished fine jewelry designer and design instructor.
Shelly Sergent, Collections Manager of the Somewhere In the Rainbow Gemstone and Jewelry Collection.
As the anticipation builds for the 2024 edition of the Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design, the competition remains open to students enrolled in GIA’s Jewelry Design course, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
