Jewellery World Awards Design Challenge winners honoured at world’s No.1 jewellery show,JGW September lit up with energy as some of the jewellery industry’s brightest minds gathered for an evening that was equal parts celebration and inspiration.
Drawing more than 500 guests, the fair reception rolled out the red carpet for two major milestones: The NextGen Coloured Gem Excellence Awards by JWA (Jewellery World Awards) and the Gender-Fluid Coloured Gem Jewellery Design Challenge, both recognising the fresh talent driving the industry forward.
New voices
The NextGen Awards recognised 18 rising leaders who represent the future of the industry. With a collective footprint spanning the globe, they balance respect for tradition with a drive for change, championing ethical sourcing, investing in knowledge-sharing and leveraging technology to build a more transparent and connected industry.
The 2026 Awardees: Alexander F. Arnoldi (Arnoldi International e.K.), Amira Hatta (ICA GemLab), Bénédicte Lavoie (Pierres de Charme Inc), Carl-Philip Arnoldi (HC Arnoldi e.K.), Cedrik Wild (Wild Gems LLC), Chomphol Phornchindarak (Gemports), Dave Bindra (B & B Fine Gems), E. Billie Hughes (Lotus Gemology Co Ltd), George Lu (Chii Lih Coral Co Ltd), Jaimeen Shah (Prima Gems USA LLC), Le Yen (LEYEN Co), Mahima Bardiya (RMC Gems India Ltd), Mushir Munas (Sri Gems), Naftali Gad (Michael Gad Emerald), Wang Fei (Xinjiang Wude Jade Co Ltd) and William Wong (Wills Jewellery)
Also honoured (not pictured): Anurak Sinchawla (Sant Enterprises Co Ltd), Dave Bindra (B & B Fine Gems) and Manuela Soares (ArtOuro and Gemas)
Designers to watch
The Gender-Fluid Coloured Gem Jewellery Design Challenge invited designers to break the mould and let creativity lead. The brief was clear and compelling: Produce designs that speak to everyone − jewellery that celebrates individuality over convention.
Eighteen winners split equally across two tracks, Students and Professionals, rose to the challenge with exceptional work. Through coloured gemstones, they developed designs that speak a universal language − one of emotion, identity and personal expression.
The competition was powered by Principal Sponsor EJI, coloured gemstone partner RMC Gems HK Co, Professional Track Collaborator Taotian Group – Gold & Fashion Jewellery Industry and the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA).
Student Track Winners: Liu Yutong, Hsu Ya-tang (represented by Informa), Zhang Yutong, Du Zesheng, Thet Htar Ceesar, Wang Yang (represented by Liang Huiying), Ki Tae Kim, Seongyun Hong and Zhang Ke brought fresh perspectives and fearless innovation to the table.
Professional Track Winners: Linda Liu (Eternelle), Linda Hu (FELLALA), Zhang Zhe/Ye JianHua (ZIVGREY), Peiming (KHEMIA), Li Mu (daartemis), Zhang Shoupin (OF HUNGER), Jane Meng (YANDAO), Qinghe (Timax) and Tang Wen (Wens) proved that professional prowess and boundary-pushing design make the perfect pairing.
