The International Gemological Institute (IGI) proudly announced the winners of its fourth annual IGI Expressions™ 2024-25 global jewelry design contest on 28th February 2025. The competition is a global, online jewelry design competition open to students, emerging designers, and seasoned professionals. With 1,225 submissions from 54 countries, this year’s theme, ‘A Journey to the Enchanted Forest,’ inspired designs blending forest elements, fables, and mystery. With just a 0.73% chance of winning, the nine outstanding winners excelled in three categories—Statement Piece, Convertible Jewelry, and Accessories—using CAD, Manual Sketch, and iPad formats. Expert judges included Helen Mao (China), Rajiv Poley (India), Lisa Koenigsberg (USA), Farah Yazbeck (UAE), Varuna D Jani (India), and Neha Lulla (India), celebrating the most innovative designs.

Mr. Tehmasp Printer, MD & CEO of IGI, shared his excitement, stating, “Congratulations to all the winners! The creativity reflected in the designs for 'A Journey to the Enchanted Forest' is truly impressive. This competition serves as an excellent platform for emerging artists to express their passion for jewelry design while celebrating their unique visions and aspirations.”

The winners were recognized for their exceptional talent and received champion trophy, USD 500 cash prize, IGI Expressions™ certificate, and widespread social media recognition. IGI Expressions™ 2024-25 remains a free, inclusive contest, celebrating diversity, creativity, and artistic freedom while uplifting outstanding talents in the jewelry industry.

Here are the winning designs –

W.A Chamal Jayaratna, Sri Lanka
Category - Statement Piece Segment - CAD

"The Princess of Evil Castle" Ring is a captivating statement piece that transports its wearer to a realm where nature, royalty, and enchantment meet. Crafted in solid 14k yellow gold with a hollow design for elegance and comfort, the ring features sculptural details in rose and matte white gold. A rose gold princess rests within castle walls, framed by green gold leaves, while rubies and diamonds add timeless sparkle. This masterpiece beautifully blends fantasy, opulence, and refined craftsmanship.

Samira Adami Dadizadeh, Turkey
Category - Statement Piece Segment - iPad

Enchanted Forest Necklace
The "Enchanted Forest Necklace" embodies the mystery of a magical forest, with an ethereal fairy at its heart. It reflects nature’s duality—growth and stillness, life and death—coming together in perfect harmony. Inspired by the endless cycle of life and renewal, the design showcases unity within contrasts. At the center, the fairy, holding a magic wand, symbolizes the soul of the forest and the guardian of balance, linking the lush greenery with the frozen stillness. Her presence tells a tale of opposites uniting to create magical harmony. The spiral waterfall flowing from her heart represents the eternal rhythm of nature, energy, transformation, and renewal. Crafted with precision, every detail merges art and storytelling, making this necklace more than jewelry—it's a gateway to an enchanted world, allowing the wearer to carry the forest’s magic forever.

Kritika Rastogi, India
Category -Statement Piece Segment - iPad
Shadow's Grace Necklace
In the heart of a mystical forest lies a tale revealed only to those who seek beauty beyond first impressions. Inspired by the iconic fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast," this necklace reimagines the enchanted forest, where twisted vines encrusted with gemstones guide the way, glowing butterflies hum sweet tunes, and roses bloom in luminous hues. The "Shadow's Grace" necklace captures the legend of the forbidden realm—treacherous yet filled with hidden beauty. Its design embodies duality and transformation, with magical roses that shift from black to bright—one fading into darkness, the other burning with light. From the darkness where the Beast resides, the journey leads toward beauty and grace. “For in this forest, dark yet bright, lies a love that finds the light.”

Indika Wijayarathna, Sri Lanka
Category - Statement Piece Segment - Sketch

Shiny Day- In the Enchanted Forest, a shiny day whispers secrets of possibility, Among the emerald leaves, blooming flowers and sparkling streams, a shiny day morphs into a canvas for the soul, painting our thoughts with hues of wonder and joy in this realm of dreams.

Description- This exquisite set includes an 18K yellow gold necklace, ring, and ear hoop, studded with emerald-cut emeralds, round green emeralds, shading sapphires, diamond melee, and pearls. The emerald-cut emeralds are approximately 18x12mm and 15x12mm, with the smallest round emeralds, shading sapphires, and diamond melee ranging from 0.9mm to 3mm. Pearls range from 6mm to 16mm. The stones are expertly set in pave, bezel, and prong settings. The total weight of the set is approximately 75g.

Krishnendhu Aravind, India
Category - Accessories Segment - iPad

The All-Seeing Bloom Ear Ensemble "The All-Seeing Bloom Ear Ensemble –
I wandered through a dream one night, in a glowing forest, bathed in light. A meadow bloomed with flowers bright, Alive with whispers soft and light. At the heart stood an all-seeing bloom so wise, Iridescent lilac petals and a plume that defies. Its knowing eyes held the forest's lore, A timeless wisdom from ages before. Around it danced dragonflies so bright, their emerald wings a dazzling sight. Guardians of this magical land, weaving beauty with a gentle hand. “This design captures the enchanting forest from my dream, crafted in 18KT gold. The earpiece features a versatile ear cuff and a J-hoop stud with drops. The enchanted flower and leaves are adorned with ronde-bosse enameling—green leaves, lilac and pink flowers, and pink tourmaline centers. The "eye" is highlighted by translucent pale-yellow enamel with an opaque dot for the pupil. Dragonflies with ronde-bosse enameled bodies and plique-a-jour wings, set with bezel emeralds and pavé diamonds, add charm. Baroque pearls and briolette-cut yellow sapphires cascade like moonlit dew, completing this dreamy, magical piece of wearable art.”

Suchita Das, India
Category - Accessories Segment - Sketch

THE AEONIX embodies a mysterious, occult world filled with hidden secrets and surreal events. Inspired by time travel and royal heritage, it is set in a mystical forest where a magical charm conceals its true power. Guarded by a fierce dragon, whose ancient wisdom awakens its protective vision, THE AEONIX transforms the passage of time into wearable art.

Ma Hui, China
Category - Convertible Jewelry Segment - iPad

Butterfly and Blossom Concept Description
“When the blossom blooms, the butterfly naturally comes.” This design symbolizes the effortless allure of inner beauty, drawing a natural connection to the wonders of the world. As the wearer moves, the flowers sway while the silk butterflies remain still, creating a harmonious balance between movement and calm. This piece celebrates nature’s beauty and honors the wearer’s inner charm and elegance.

Jing Zhao, China
Category - Convertible Jewelry Segment - CAD

"Journey to the Enchanted Forest" Brooch
Inspired by dreamlike realms of mystery, the "Journey to the Enchanted Forest" brooch opens the door to a fantastical adventure. The deer head and antlers are adorned with radiant gemstones and sparkling diamonds, intertwining in perfect harmony. Intricate enamel craftsmanship captures the vibrant beauty of the forest, where butterflies flutter, and tiny insects and animals subtly emerge. Flowers and plants bloom with vigor, each hue whispering nature’s secrets. The winding antlers guide the wearer on this magical journey, symbolizing triumph and leading into a world of unparalleled enchantment.

Neda Hashemi, Austria
Category - Convertible Jewelry Segment - Sketch

Bloom of Love Necklace
Inspired by the timeless tale of Beauty and the Beast, the Bloom of Love Necklace captures the evolution of their love story. Elements like branches, leaves, and blossoms represent the enchanted forest, while the choker, adorned with colorful baguette gemstones, symbolizes Belle’s passion for books—where their journey begins.

The white roses on either side reflect the flowers Belle requested from her father, marking the start of their magical love story. As you approach the centre, the leaves grow greener and larger, symbolizing growth, while blossoms appear, representing the blossoming love. At the heart of the design is a large red rose, signifying the fulfilment of love between Beauty and the Beast, and also representing the Beast’s enchanted life.

This convertible piece transforms into separate components: the red rose can be worn as a brooch, the diamond-embellished chain with branches forms a necklace resembling two wings—symbolizing lovers in harmony—and the choker with baguette gems can be worn alone, offering endless versatility and beauty.

Crafted in yellow gold, the necklace mirrors the warm tones of tree trunks and branches, grounding the piece in the enchanted forest setting. A selection of emeralds, amethysts, rubies, and diamonds in various shades adds depth and color, each chosen for their symbolic significance and beauty. The white roses are rendered using traditional enamel techniques, providing a lustrous finish and enhancing their delicate beauty.

Courtesy : AOJ Desk News