The International Jade & Jadeite Jewellery Design Competition 2026, themed “A New Chapter in Jade Elegance, Design Without Borders”, held its award ceremony at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. More than 300 representatives from jewellery institutions, designers, experts, scholars, entrepreneurs and media attended the event.
As the first global competition dedicated to jadeite jewellery design, the event attracted over 500 entries from designers across 11 countries and regions, including the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Italy, Spain, Iran, Lebanon and India. The competition focused on integrating the timeless beauty of natural jadeite with contemporary design innovation, creating an international platform that connects cultures, aesthetics and craftsmanship.
A Dialogue Between Tradition and the Future
Rooted in the cultural heritage of jade, the competition encourages designers to explore the relationship between traditional jade aesthetics and modern jewellery design. Through an international judging system and multiple professional categories, the event promotes the integration of design language, craftsmanship and cultural storytelling.
The participating works reflected a wide range of artistic influences—from European modern lines and Middle Eastern symbolic motifs to Southeast Asian narrative imagery, all interacting with the subtle elegance of traditional Eastern jade culture. This cross-cultural exchange demonstrates how jade jewellery can evolve as a contemporary design language while preserving its cultural significance.
Global Creative Exchange
With entries from 11 countries and regions, the competition became a meeting point for diverse cultural perspectives. Designers explored innovative forms, structural experimentation and new ways of expressing jade’s natural qualities.
The competition established three professional categories to evaluate jade design from different perspectives:
1)Creative Category – focusing on conceptual innovation and new design approaches
2)Artisan Category– emphasizing technical excellence and production quality
3)Renaissance Category – allowing previously created works to be re-evaluated and enhanced through professional review
This structure highlights both creative originality and technical mastery, presenting a comprehensive evaluation framework for contemporary jade jewellery design.
Guests’ Speeches
Several distinguished guests delivered speeches during the ceremony, discussing the cultural, industrial and international significance of jade jewellery.
Dr. Tang emphasized that the competition represents not only a design contest but also a journey of cultural rediscovery. He highlighted the moral symbolism traditionally associated with jade in Chinese culture and encouraged designers to draw inspiration from historical aesthetics while embracing modern technologies and materials.
Mr. Gu noted that professional testing systems and standardized evaluation frameworks are fundamental to the healthy development of the jade industry. Establishing internationally recognized standards will help jadeite jewellery gain broader global acceptance.
Dr. Cavalieri said the competition reflects the growing influence of jade culture in the international jewellery sector. He also announced that CIBJO plans to release the “CIBJO Jade Guide” at the Vicenza Congress in 2026, which will help establish global terminology and standards for jade.
Mr. Chu noted that more than 70% of participants were young designers, demonstrating the strong vitality of traditional culture in contemporary design. He described the competition as a starting point for future industry innovation.
Mr. Mak highlighted that jade jewellery design is evolving toward a more international and professional direction. The competition provides an important platform for creative exchange and helps expand the global visibility of jade jewellery.
Award Presentation
The competition presented awards in three professional categories:
1)Renaissance Category
2)Artisan Category
3)Creative Category
Each category included Champion, First Runner-up, Second Runner-up and Merit Awards, with the Jade Fashion Grand Award representing the highest honor of the competition.
Renaissance Category Award Presentation
The Champion of Renaissance Category
Inner Light, Reflected Serenity; Designer: Zhu Wanrong
The 1st Runner-up of Renaissance Category
The Fish Leaping Through Green Waves; Designer: Chen Qingsong
The 2nd Runner-up of Renaissance Category
The Daughter’s Gift; Designer:Chen Qingsong
Artisan Category Award Presentation
The Champion of Artisan Category
Embracing Spring, Reaching for the Moon; Designer: TSAI An Ho
The 1st Runner-up of Artisan Category
Radiance of a Soaring Butterfly; Designer: Andy WONG
The 2nd Runner-up of Artisan Category
Jade Beneath the Verdant Pool; Designer: TSAI An Ho
Creative Category Award Presentation
The Champion of Creative Category
The Migratory Bird; Designer: Yu Yuexian
The 1st Runner-up of Creative Category
Swift Success, Eternal Spring; Designer: Liang Fan
The 2nd Runner-up of Creative Category
A Paradise Within Inches; Designer: Qiu Fengmiao
Timeless Charm Award Presentation
Award Presenter – Ms. Nancy Wong; Executive Director & Deputy CEO of Lukfook Jewellery
Industry Significance
The competition demonstrates how jade jewellery design can continue to evolve within the global jewellery industry. By combining cultural heritage, craftsmanship and contemporary design thinking, the event highlights new possibilities for jadeite as both a cultural symbol and a modern jewellery material.
In the closing remarks, Mr. George Mak, Chairman of Judging Panel of the International Fei Cui and Jade Jewelry Design Competition 2026, thanked all designers, judges and supporting organizations. He noted that this year’s entries demonstrated a significant improvement in quality, with many works showing mature ideas in creativity, structure and material expression. The designs balanced traditional Eastern jade aesthetics with contemporary jewellery language, reflecting how a new generation of designers is reinterpreting jade for a global audience. He expressed hope that the competition will continue to promote innovation and international exchange in jade jewellery design.
Looking Ahead
The International Fei Cui and Jade Jewelry Design Competition 2026 marks a new step in bringing jade culture to the global stage. By encouraging creativity, cultural exchange and professional standards, the competition provides an important platform for future innovation in jade jewellery design.
Through continued international collaboration, jade—an ancient symbol of Eastern civilization—will gain greater recognition in the global jewellery world, connecting tradition with contemporary design and shaping the future of jade artistry.
With Compliments
Articles on HKTDC and the HKTDC March Twin Jewellery Shows:
https://gem-spectrum.com/tag/hktdc-march-hong-kong-show
Articles on Awards:
https://gem-spectrum.com/category/award
