Ben Hawkins wins debut Catherine Jones competition

Jewellery retailer Catherine Jones of Cambridge has unveiled Ben Hawkins as the winner of the brand’s debut award, The Golden Jubilee Competition. 

Ben Hawkins, a student at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, picked up the prize beating nine of his fellow classmates.

The competition, which was launched in 2013 to celebrate the brands golden jubilee, asked students to create a gold pendant inspired by Cambridge and the late Catherine Jones, a long-term supporter of young design talent.

Vanessa Burkitt, Catherine Jones managing director, said: “The judges were tremendously impressed by the ingenuity and design flare exhibited by all he students of the foundation course here.

“To demonstrate such engagement with a challenging competition at such an early stage of their journey into the techniques, arts and crafts that go into creating a jewel was truly astonishing. Ben’s exquisite design edged it against this remarkable field of talent.”

Hawkins, who is originally from St. Albans, will receive £500 to spend on tools to help him on his way to a career as a jewellery designer. His design will be crafted in 18ct gold and will be unveiled in early autumn at Catherine Jones.