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There were over 120 entrants at this year’s Diamond Guild awards with the winners being of international standard.

The Diamond Guild of Australia (DGA) announced its five winners for its biennial award last Wednesday at a special black-tie dinner held at the Sydney Hilton’s acclaimed Glass restaurant.

The Solitaire Award went to Levon Arzumanian of the Sydney-based Arman’s Fine Jewellery for his ‘Ribbons of Love’ white gold ring, which featured a ribbon of rose gold holding a round brilliant cut diamond.

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Berj Ohanessian of Sydney-based Berjani Jewellers took out the coveted Red Carpet Award for his 18ct white gold ‘Fireworks’ ring, set with 62 brilliant-cut diamonds.

The Fancy Cut Award went to designer Nicholas Theocari of Melbourne-based MDT Design for his ‘Mati’ ring set with a 1.11 carat Marquise cut diamond.

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Gary Thyregod from Thyregold Jewellery – whose diamond ‘Stress Ball’ made him a winner in 2007 – won the Gents Award for creating a men’s thumb ring set with 102 gypsy and thread-set diamonds in 14ct white gold.

Finally, Robert Musson of Mussons Jewellers won the Fancy Colour Award for his ‘Embrace’ piece set with 1.68 carat pink diamonds and 1.38 carat blue diamonds.

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Julian Farren-Price, jeweller and member of the DGA believed this year’s entrants were worthy of global recognition.

“We are thrilled to showcase the excellence of Australian link in this competition,” said Farren-Price. “The calibre of the winning pieces this year is world-class.”

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Robert Musson, a founding member of the DGA and winner of this year’s Fancy Colour Award was elated with his victory.

“With over 120 retail jewellers from across Australia competing, this is a great honour both personally and for the family,” Musson said. “This is definitely a highlight in almost 40 years of business.”

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Hosted by special guest Natalie Gruzlewski, the fourth DGA Awards included members of the Australian link and a variety of special guests including singer, Ricki-Lee Coulter, who performed her new single befittingly called ‘Raining Diamonds.’

A panel of five judges was tasked with selecting the five winners including jeweller, John Calleija; Harper Bazaar editor, Edwina McCann; Susan Skelly, editor for Qantas’ magazine The Australian Way; fashion designer Alex Perry, and jewellery photographer David Perryman.

The five winning designs will be featured in the November issue of Qantas’ The Australian Way and the December issue of Harpers Bazaar.

Established in 2005 and held biennially, the DGA Awards recognise excellent craftsmanship and design in diamond jewellery.

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