The great talents and most recognised names of the jewellery design industry descended on Doltone House in Sydney on Monday night, for a night of opulence and dazzling displays of designer jewellery at the JAA Australian Jewellery Awards, during the International Jewellery Fair in Sydney.

The JAA Australian Jewellery Awards are acknowledged as the jewellery industry’s most eminent competition. Renowned for showcasing the country’s impressive creative talents, the Awards celebrate excellence in design, craftsmanship and creativity.

The Awards are organised by the Jewellers Association of Australia, which is a not-for-profit industry association and sponsored by a number of companies, which without their support the event would not be possible.

This year there were 154 entrants – which is a record number of entries for the Awards across ten categories in which entrants can enter including two Apprentice categories and eight senior categories.

Entrants were marked on innovation and uniqueness of design, craftsmanship, overall beauty and market appeal.

Apart from the 10 category awards there are three “major” awards – including the prestigious Grand Prix Award referred to nationally in the industry as “Jeweller of the Year”.

Emily Snadden from Collins Jewellers in Hobart won the category for Precious Metal Design Award and qualified for the Pandora Grand Prix Award where through discussion the judges pick one “overall” winner and that overall winner was Emily.

Karin Adcock, Managing Director of Pandora, which was the event’s headline sponsor, presented the Grand Prix Award to Emily. 29-year-old Snadden, who also received the accolade for the Precious Metal category, said she was “overwhelmed” to be picked for the award.

The winning design was an 18-carat yellow and white gold ‘Precious Limb Bangle’. The die-formed bangle had round brilliant-cut diamonds set as seed pods and was inspired by the folds, creases and wrinkles of the native Salmon Gum tree.

Snadden was awarded return airfares and accommodation to the Hong Kong International Jewellery Fair in March 2011. All entrants to the Awards are showcased in a 32-page booklet which is available in the current issue of Marie Claire, which is out now and features Emily’s piece pictured below.

Emily is currently considering a number of commissions from world renowned jewellers including some very unique diamonds cut by Sir Gabrielle Tolkowsky, to work on from Collins Jewellers in Hobart.

Read about Emily's win in Jeweller Magazine

Visit Emily Snadden Design Facebook page

Visit Collins Jewellers