BJA launches Diamond Jubilee brooch competition

Designs should be inspired by Her Majesty’s 60 year (and counting) reign and encompass the elegance, grace and empathy of the Queen’s tenure within a fine-jewellery brooch.

Members of the BJA have pledged and donated materials, including a selection of natural diamonds and a diamond that incorporates the colours of four national flowers; red, yellow, green and lilac, to create a ‘pot’ from which the winning brooch can be manufactured.

Speaking about the competition, the BJA’s marketing manager Lindsey Straughton said: “The idea is that the manufacture, mounting, setting and polishing is all undertaken by BJA member firms that are willing to put their skills to use and give their time to fashion this unique item.

“The brooch is to be made primarily in platinum and Lonmin have generously pledged up to 60grammes. Other mines across the British Isles are giving some small quantity of rare English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish gold which may also be incorporated into the design.”

The Queen will be gifted with the brooch after it has been displayed at a BJA event at the House of Commons in November. The deadline for design entries is 27th July, at which point designs will be shortlisted to be shown and voted on via the BJA website and the BJA stand during International Jewellery London in September. The winner will be announced at lunchtime on the last day of the show.