Wax to the Max 2008 Jewelry Design Competition

Johannesburg, South Africa – The Wax to the Max 2008 Jewelry Design Competition was an overwhelming success. The competition was hosted by Telpro Management (Pty) Ltd., Roland DG’s partner in Sub-Saharah, in collaboration with the Jewelry Council of South Africa, Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited, and jewelry retailer American Swiss, who together created one of the most exciting jewelry design
competitions in South Africa.

Roland JWX-30

Wax to the Max was a step forward in publicizing the jewelry design industry, with a focus on promoting CAD (computer aided design) and CAM (computer aided manufacturing) processes and encouraging commercial jewelry design. The competition was open to Southern Africa’s practicing jewelers, apprentices and students of jewelry design, as well as manufacturers, who were all required to submit their entries in the form of renderings.

The competition received more than 229 entries from practicing jewelers and students, apprentices and non-jewelry practitioners. “Centuries of Love” (bridal jewelry), “Measure of Success” (signifying style, success and fame), and “Home Away from Home” (jewelry gifts from South Africa) were the three themes provided to spark the contestants’ imagination. Each entrant submitted five products that formed a collection under their chosen theme. The themes unleashed endless design opportunities for the entrants and the results were dazzling!

During the competition, entries were displayed on the Telpro Management website and updated daily. Each month, the entry with the most unique public SMS votes won a laptop computer. Instant winner prizes such as USB devices, CD vouchers and movie tickets were given away at random to those who voted for their favorite design. A panel of judges carefully selected nine overall finalists.

The criteria for the judging included: interpretation of the theme; wearability; innovation; creativity; manufacturing practicality; and the innovative use of materials. Limitations were placed on the designers in terms of cost and materials to help them understand the constraints they will face when working with the commercial market. Although the judges looked for commercially viable designs, designers were encouraged to create jewelry that would startle and surprise audiences.

The competition also exposed designers to the latest cutting-edge jewelry wax production machines, coupled with the latest in design technology. The finalists, along with the jewelry design lecturers who encouraged their students to enter the competition, were invited to attend Telpro Management’s workshop in Johannesburg
where they were introduced to the Roland JWX-10 and JWX-30 milling machines and to JewelStudio.

Wax to the Max 2008 Competition

Raw materials were supplied to manufacture the nine finalists’ collections, and the Roland JWX-30 was used to create all the wax models for the jewelry pieces. The finalists’ collections were then exhibited at International Jewellex 2008 in Sandton, South Africa. The public voted for its favorite designs and determined the final award winners.

In a tribute to South Africa’s exceptional creative talents, the Wax to the Max sponsors honored the winners of its competition at the Jewellex International Trade Fair 2008 Dinner Function at the Sandton Convention Centre on August 9th, 2008.

The overall winner of Wax to the Max 2008 Jewelry Design Competition, Janine Basson from Cape Town, was awarded a Neutec J-2r vacuum casting machine plus start up kit, a Vic 12 casting system with programmable oven, a Roland JWX-30 wax model milling machine and a polishing station. Four JWX-30s and four JWX-10s were also awarded to jewelry design schools that showed outstanding performance during the competition.

The collection has now begun its annual road show of national and international exhibitions, commencing with the International Jewelry London exhibition on August 22-28, 2008 in the UK. Four of the nine finalist collections will be produced as the “Wax to the Max Collections” and sold nationwide in American Swiss retail stores beginning April 2009.

Far left: Overall Winner, Janine Basson
of Van Deijl Jewellers in Tygervalley

The Wax to the Max team would like to again thank everyone who took part in this competition. With the help of entrants and all the SMS votes, R10,000.00 was raised for the Hamba Phambile Trust supporting AIDS Orphan Education at Vuleka and Sparrow Village.

To view the results of the Wax to the Max 2008 Jewelry Design Competition, visit
http://www.rolanddg.co.za/WAX2MAX/wm.html