World Gold Council selects the Top 100 winners of the Premier Gold Jewellery Design Contest in the Arab World

Experts from the World Gold Council and Hammer Group have chosen the best 100 designs out of almost 10,000 entries submitted by 1,000 participants from across the Arab World. The judging was based on a set of criteria which gives premium to visually appealing design, innovation in the use of gold as the main material and compliance with the contest theme.

The competition received entries from Arab and Non-Arab designers residing in the Middle East, amateurs and professionals alike. The organisers ensured that all participants received equal opportunity irrespective of their technical capabilities. The top 100 designs selected in the First Judging Session were from a diverse mix of nationalities including Egyptian, Saudi, Emirati, Indian, Syrians, Jordanian, Moroccan, Sri Lankan, Algerian, Yemeni, Libyan, Bahraini, Iraqi, Lebanese, Kuwaiti, Palestinian, Filipino and Tunisian.

From the 100 shortlisted entries, the organisers will then select the top 30 designs. Hammer Group - the official partner for AuDITIONS Arabia -- will manufacture the top 30 designs within the next two months. Following this, a Second Judging Session will take place in mid-October where some of the most prestigious and well-known jewellery designers in the Arab World will be invited to pick the 5 final winners. The names of the final winners, however, will only be announced during the Grand Finale Award Ceremony in November 2008.

AuDITIONS Arabia was launched in January 2008 with the last call for entries set on March 2008. However, due to popular demand and many requests from participants, the deadline was extended until end of April 2008. The participants were required to submit original designs incorporating their vision and innovation. Some 1,000 participating designers from across the Arab World including the UAE, KSA and the GCC countries compete for the most coveted prize in the field of Gold Jewellery design.

Zahrat Al Khaleej magazine is the exclusive print media supporting the contest and will provide continuing support and Pan-Arab coverage on the latest developments in the contest and the Grande Finale Award Ceremony.