Platafrica Jewellery Design Competition Opens for Entries That Convey #Hope in an Uncertain World
28 April, 2022
South Africa’s premier annual platinum jewellery design and manufacturing competition, PlatAfrica, has opened for entries from professional and student designers. The theme of the 23rd edition of PlatAfrica is #Hope, calling for designs that demonstrate trust in an uncertain world.
Hosted annually by Anglo American Platinum, Metal Concentrators and Platinum Guild International (PGI) India, PlatAfrica aims to increase local beneficiation and position platinum as the jewellery metal of choice for discerning consumers. Thirty times rarer than gold and the strongest and purest jewellery metal on the planet, with a natural white colour that doesn’t fade away, platinum is the perfect partner for gemstones, particularly diamonds.
“This year’s theme is inspired by the world’s Covid-19 experience and the embrace of sustainability and meaningful luxury. Designers are required to interpret the #Hope theme through specific design hooks that speak to new perspectives, transitions and interconnectedness. Judges will be looking for creativity, originality and interpretation of the Hope theme in delivery on design expectations, along with an assessment of technical excellence,” said Pallavi Sharma, business director at PGI India and a member of the judging panel for PlatAfrica.
The competition features three prize categories: professionals, apprentices and students, and the People’s Choice award, where the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite jewellery piece. In addition to prize money, winners stand the chance to be considered for participation in PGI India’s design sourcing process in 2022.
“PlatAfrica offers a unique opportunity for designers to test the limits of what they can do to create statement jewellery pieces with platinum, thereby developing their design and manufacturing skills. South Africa is endowed with world-class design talent and is the biggest source of platinum group metals globally. We believe there is significant opportunity to develop and grow the local platinum jewellery industry and thereby contribute to job creation and economic growth ,” said Natascha Viljoen, CEO of Anglo American Platinum.
Metal requests for entry must be received before 1 June 2022, and participants must submit their final design pieces by 29 July 2022. For more information on this year’s competition, please click here .