Ruth Hallows wins Weston Beamor design competition

Ruth Hallows, a mature student at Birmingham City University (BCU), has been named as the winner of the annual jewellery design competition for students organised by Weston Beamor.

Her win was announced by Patrick Fuller, chairman of Weston Beamor, on the company’s stand at the Jewellery and Watch show  in Birmingham.

Presenting Hallows with her prize – a cheque for £500 and a week of work experience with Weston Beamor – Fuller said that he felt this year’s designs, which were for a halo engagement ring and a fitted wedding band to sit alongside it, had been particularly strong and congratulated all those who had taken part in the competition.

Fuller praised Hallows’ platinum and yellow gold ‘Celestial’ rings, which were inspired by the night sky, stars and constellations, as being “very unusual and innovative”.

Hallows had previously won an award during her first year at BCU, which saw one of her designs manufactured and sold by Argos.

The runners up in the competition were Bethany Ross, who came second, and Sarah Shiau who was third. They won £250 and £100 respectively and will also receive a week of work experience at Weston Beamor.

Jo Pond, course director at BCU, said: “We very much value our links with Weston Beamor and know that our students learn a great deal about how a large, commercial jewellery business operates from participating in this competition.”