In line with its continued commitment to the development of the platinum jewellery market, Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) says it will once again host the PlatAfrica South African platinum jewellery design and manufacturing competition, which is in its twenty-fourth year.

Working in partnership with Platinum Guild International (PGI) India and Metal Concentrators, this year’s competition theme is #Emergence.

This year’s iteration of the competition sees the introduction of capsule collections – a condensed version of the designer’s vision that can transcend trends and seasons by being more functional and commercial, through a collaboration with De Beers Group, which will loan selected diamonds to the winners for showcasing in their platinum designs.

The two categories of adjudication are individual students or apprentices, and individual professionals.

Finished statement jewellery items, which range from rings to neckpieces and earrings, will be judged for interpretation of the #Emergence theme and technical expertise.

The top ten winners in each category will have the opportunity to manufacture their capsule collections for inclusion in the PlatAfrica collection, which will be available for sale in the international market.

Additionally, winners will receive a cash prize, media exposure and the opportunity to participate in an all-expenses-paid design workshop in India, organised by PGI, to further their platinum jewellery design understanding and craft in one of the world’s fastest-growing platinum jewellery markets.

This year’s finalists in the Professional category are Esther Boshoff and team from Beaudel Designs; Ulandie Booysens from Van Deijl; Rachel Hannah Kemp from Uwe Koetter Jewellers; Moses Mabotja from Limpopo Jewellery Business Incubator; Thabo Mbele from Van Bels, The Platinum Incubator; Noxolo Mseleku from Knight of Grey, trading as Elegante; Kim Nel from Van Deijl; Mandlenkosi None and Nnete Mokgothu from The Platinum Incubator; Nihal and Vijay Shah from Nihal Shah & Vijay Shah; Christina Toros from Toros Jewellery and Stellenbosch University; and Lungile Xhwantini from The Platinum Incubator.

The finalists in the Students or Apprentices category are Jana Basson from Cape Town University of Technology; Lara Ann Burger from Stellenbosch University; Thembani Gobinca from Cape Town University of Technology; Lesenyeho Mamosa from Pneuma Jewellers Academy; Lindokuhle Magaba from Cape Town University of Technology; Patrick Mohapi from Pneuma Jewellers Academy; Thapelo Masingi from Cape Town University of Technology; Yoliswa Nene from Cape Town University of Technology; Thabisile Nkosi from Cape Town University of Technology; and Siphelele Ntuli from Cape Town University of Technology.

Additionally, the judges awarded special mentions in the Professional category to Phillipus Wilhelmus Vorster from Rare Earth Creations and Tanya Gamble from Stellenbosch University; and to Tor Kaplan from City Goldsmith/UweKoetter and Mongameli Thafeni from Cape Town University of Technology in the Students or Apprentices category.

The winners will be announced at a gala event in Johannesburg on October 27.