20th Saul Bell Competition Now Accepting Entries

Albuquerque, N.M.—Rio Grande is now accepting entries for its 20th annual Saul Bell Design Award competition.

This year, the categories will be a little different. There won’t be a specific enamel category, though enamel pieces can be submitted into any other categories of the maker’s choosing.

Also, the Couture/Fine and Fashion/Bridge categories have been combined into one: the Jewelry Collections category. The category requires designers to submit a “cohesive set of wearable pieces, such as a coordinated necklace, bracelet and pair of earrings,” Rio Grande said in a release. 

In addition to Jewelry Collections, the 2020 edition of the jewelry design competition will feature six other categories: Gold/Platinum, Silver/Argentium Silver, Hollowware/Art Objects, Alternative Metals/Materials and Emerging Jewelry Artist for two different ages groups—18 and younger, and 22 and younger.

As with previous competitions, judging will be done in two rounds by two separate panels, each comprised of five jewelry industry judges.

For the first round, judges will consider originality, materials designers want to use to execute their proposed designs, as well as overall aesthetics.

The second round of judging will review completed pieces and consider quality of craftsmanship and wearability (except in the Hollowware/Art Objects category).

It costs $75 to enter the competition through Sept. 16, or $125 if submitted between that date and Oct. 25.

Full guidelines are available at SaulBellAward.com.

“My father would have had so much admiration for every metalsmith who has ever entered this competition,” commented Molly Bell, Rio Grande Executive Vice President and daughter of Saul Bell, Rio Grande’s founder who inspired the contest.

“The spirit of the competition embodies not only his passion for making jewelry and his appreciation for the creativity and technical challenges of the work these artists do but also his respect for those striving to learn more, pushing past obstacles, and thriving in doing what they love. He was so generous with his knowledge and always had time for any bench or technical question.”