Texas Jewelers Association (TJA) Jewelry Design Competition
Entry Deadline: September 10, 2026
Contest Rules
| ELIGIBILITY Professional Division: Open to all jewelry designers, artisans, and CAD specialists currently working in the industry, including self-employed designers and employees of jewelry brands. Must be a current member of the Texas Jewelry Association to enter. Pieces submitted must be originally designed and produced by the entrant (or store) and not mass-produced or commercially distributed. Student Division: Open to Texas Resident students currently enrolled in jewelry or metalsmithing courses, or who are an apprentice at a TJA store for less than 3 years. Proof of enrollment (e.g., valid student ID or class schedule) must be submitted with entry. Designs must be original and created by the student without professional assistance. CATEGORIES Professional Division: Finished Jewelry All entries must be handmade and finished. Fabrication, wax carving, CAD design, and casting are all acceptable processes to achieve finished pieces. Pieces must be made of precious metals (gold, silver, or platinum). All gemstones must be natural, genuine, or cultured; any enhancements or treatments must be fully disclosed. Category 1: $1,000 and Under – Material cost of finished piece must be $1,000 or less. Category 2: $1,000 – $3,000 – Material cost between $1,001 and $3,000. Category 3: $3,000 and Up – Material cost over $3,000. Professional Division: CAD Design Entries must be fully designed using CAD software (e.g., Jewel Beetle, Rhino, ZBrush, Fusion 360, Matrix, etc.). Category 4: CAD renders must be printed on 8×11” white paper, with front, side, back, and through finger perspectives. Files must be exported and prepared for 3D printing, properly scaled, closed, and free from major mesh errors. 3D-printed models are required with submission. All files should be submitted on a thumb drive. Student Division: Finished Jewelry Category 5: All entries must be finished and handmade. Fabrication, wax carving, CAD design, and casting are all acceptable processes to achieve finished pieces. Metal must be used as the primary material. Alternative materials, and/ or natural or lab grown gemstones may also be used. Student Division: CAD Design Entries must be fully designed using CAD software (e.g., Jewel Beetle, Rhino, ZBrush, Fusion 360, Matrix, etc.). Category 6: CAD renders must be printed on 8×11” white paper, with front, side, back, and through-finger perspectives. Files must be sent in on a thumb drive. CAD entries that include a fully ready-to-print file (e.g., STL, 3DM, or compatible format) will receive 10 bonus points toward their total score. Files must be exported and prepared for 3D printing, properly scaled, closed (watertight), and free from major mesh errors. *Bonus points apply only if files are judged to be production-ready by the committee.*TJA reserves the right to disqualify any piece which does not meet all criteria. *Designs and submissions remain the property of the maker *TJA assumes no liability for damage to any piece submitted to the competition. *If there is only one submission entered for a category, no winners will be awarded and TJA will refund the entry fee. For more information visit our website: www.texasjewelers.com |
EVALUATION CRITERIA Entries will be reviewed by a panel of industry professionals selected by the Texas Jewelry Association. Winners will be announced and celebrated at the 2026 TJS Annual Convention. All entries will be anonymous and identified by a number. *Please do not hallmark or identify your piece until after the competition. Pieces are judged based on a point system. Entries can earn a maximum of 100 points, based on the following criteria: Wearability/Functionality – 30 pts Creativity & Innovation – 20 pts Craftsmanship (Finished Pieces)/ Technical Execution (CAD) – 15 pts Executable Design – 20 pts Aesthetic Impact – 15 pts AWARDS All entries will be on display at the annual TJA Convention, and awards will be presented at the Saturday evening banquet dinner. Professional Awards: Categories 1-4 Winners will be announced for each of the four professional categories, and the piece with highest overall points will be awarded “Best in Show”. Student Awards: Categories 5 & 6 First Place: Winner will receive $250 and an Award Certificate. Second Place: Winner will receive $150 and an Award Certificate. RULES OF ENTRY Maximum of one design submitted per category Pieces may have been entered in other competitions but cannot have won any awards. All entries must be completed within the past year, after September 2025. Submissions must include all Entry Fees, the completed Entry Form, and return label if shipping. All submissions can be picked up at the TJA Convention. All submissions must be insured and sent UPS, FED EX, or USPSINSURANCE & SHIPPING If a contestant is unable to attend the Texas Jewelers Association Convention, they must include a prepaid return shipping label with their submission. TJA and Legend Jewelers are not responsible for return shipping costs if a return label is not provided. CONTEST ELIGIBILITY
ENTRY FEES Morgen Smith
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