JGAA Announces ‘Design Dynamic’: A Jewellery Competition For Africa

UK, Switzerland & South Africa

The Jewellery and Gemstone Association of Africa (JGAA) is proud to announce the launch of its second major competition:

The Design Dynamic

JGAA extends an open call to Africans worldwide — and to all those of African heritage, including Afro-Brazilian, Afro-American, Afro-Caribbean, and other Afro-diasporic communities — to share their vision for a vibrant, inclusive, and future-forward African jewellery industry.

This is a moment to reimagine tradition, celebrate identity, and shape a collective legacy through artistry and innovation.

Presented in collaboration with exhibition hosts Africa Jewellery Week™ Limited, GemGenève, and Digital Jewelery Week, and supported by official media partners Jewellery Afrika (South Africa) and Jewellery Editor (UK), the competition focuses exclusively on fine jewellery design across three categories:

Hand Rendered Design
Computer Assisted Design (CAD)
Celebrating the Art of Gouache

At the heart of Design Dynamic is a celebration of gouache artistry — a timeless medium revered by leading jewellery maisons and celebrated as an art form in its own right. This category invites not only jewellers but also –

significantly - African visual artists — painters, illustrators — to explore jewellery design through the evocative power of gouache.

All entries will be assessed on their creative use of gemstones mined in Africa and any demonstrated knowledge of their properties.

The Africa Birdlife Collection (ABC)

The official outcome of the inaugural Design Dynamic will be the Africa Birdlife Collection (ABC) — a capsule collection curated by JGAA, inspired by the flight, colour, and symbolism of African birds.

Two winning entries per category will be selected for inclusion in the ABC. These designs will debut at GemGenève 2026, with the finished pieces unveiled at a dedicated exhibition in 2027 — inviting global audiences to experience the future of African jewellery.

Prize Package: Materials, Mentorship & Business Support

Winners will receive:

•Supply of materials for selected designs
•Support sessions on the manufacturing process
•Business awareness training led by the Sponsorship Team
•Promotion of the ABC Collection and its winners
•Spotlight on the ABC Collective (as individuals and as a group for one year from exhibition date)

Winners will also collaborate with JGAA’s design and manufacturing partners to oversee the translation of their designs into finished pieces.

Judging Panel

A distinguished panel of judges will assess all entries:

Hand Rendered Design

Janine Binneman - Janine Binneman Jewellery (South Africa)
Pippa Small – Pippa Small Jewellery (UK & USA)
Catherine Marche– Catherine Marche Eco-Responsible Fine Jewellery
Retha Minnie – Dust Designs (South Africa)
Olajumoke Oluwatunmibi – Jumoke Lagos (Nigeria)

Computer Assisted Design (CAD)

Mbako Mbaraedi - MBK Designs (Botswana)
Darren Sherwood – Mr Sherwood (UK)
Tracey Jane Lotter – Lotti Jewellery (South Africa)
Lungile Xhwantini – Lead Production – Platinum Incubator (South Africa)
Stefania Indelicato – Ambersouk (UK)
Lisa Slovis Mandel – Lisa Slovis Metalsmithing (USA)

Celebrating the Art of Gouache

Helene Karpov & Jeanne Karpov – Karpov (France)
Stasia Parker – Stasia Parker Consultant (UK)
Nontando Molefe – Phatsima Jewellery Designs (South Africa)
Francesca Grima – Creative Director – Grima (UK)
Thato Radebe – Designer & Lecturer at Johannesburg University (South Africa)

Gemstone Appreciation

Adrianne Sanogo, GIA Graduate Gemmologist® (GG), GIA Graduate Pearl (GP) (USA)

Ethics Committee of External Consultants

Sara Yood (Lead Counsel at Jeweler’s Vigilance Committee USA/ CIBJO Ethics Committee - Global)
Felicia Linch (Legal & ESG Consultant, UK)
Susan Hailes (Litigation Expert, UK)
John Mulligan (Sustainability at the World Gold Council / CIBJO Sustainability Committee - Global)

Design Dynamic Coordinators

Longo Mulaisho-Zinsner (JGAA)
Anayawa Nyambe (JGAA)
Jo Boateng (JGAA & Jo Boateng Jewellery)
Ashley Zulu (Graduate Intern, JGAA)

Exhibition Advisory for JGAA & Africa Jewellery Week Space at GemGenève 2026

Melanie C Grant

Longo Mulaisho-Zinsner, founder of JGAA, shared:

“The Design Dynamic title draws from our vision statement — which, in a nutshell, is to see a ‘dynamic’ African jewellery and gemstone industry. Our first competition brought forward talent that was new and exciting to us. I believe open call competitions provide the opportunity to keep learning of the brilliance that exists in our industry.”

Nadège Totah, Co-Organiser at GemGenève:

“We are honoured to support the Design Dynamic competition and the next generation of creative voices in jewellery. The Africa Birdlife Collection is a beautiful tribute to artistic freedom and imagination. Even before being brought to life, these designs already carry the promise of excellence and emotion.”

Maria Doulton, Editor-in-Chief, The Jewellery Editor (UK)

‘The Design Dynamic competition is a game-changing approach that opens the world of jewellery to wider participation, removing creativity from the many constraints facing jewellers and artists in Africa. It is a chance for new voices to be heard and to put the spotlight on Africa and its untapped potential as a source of innovation, talent and leadership in jewellery design.”

Jason Aarons, Editor-in-Chief, Jewellery Afrika:

“Jewellery Afrika is extremely proud and honoured to be part of the JGAA’s ‘Design Dynamic’ competition initiative. This competition is a unique and extraordinary way of raising the profiles of both established and emerging African jewellery designers — their stories, their energy, and their love for the continent. We are proud to be part of this global community that is passionate about growing the industry together. The competition is a unique and extraordinary way of raising the profiles of a heartland of existing and up-and-coming African jewellery designers, their stories, their energy and their love for the continent. As one of JGAA’s official African media partners, we are delighted to be part of telling this story.”

Enquiries@jgaa.africa