Jessica Mead, design assistant at Harriet Kelsall Jewellery has won the BJA Fairtrade ‘I Do’ Competition. UK designers were asked to draw up a matching wedding and engagement ring set in Fairtrade Gold featuring a 50pt round brilliant-cut lab certified diamond and up ½ a carat of small stones gifted by the award-winning, Birmingham diamond dealer Clark Diamonds.
Jessica commented whilst visiting the British Jewellers’ Association offices in the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter: “I entered as I have a real passion for Fairtrade Gold and traceability, something that all of us at Harriet Kelsall Design Jewellery feel very passionate about.
I feel so privileged to have won this competition within the competitive jewellery industry. The modern bride loves intricate and delicate designs, meaningful gestures of romance and love. They are acutely aware of the current trends and styles. Wearing beautiful and meaningful pieces of jewellery brings them great pleasure.
The modern bride is socially and environmentally aware, and cares about sourcing Fairtrade products, taking pride and enjoyment from caring and helping others.”
Jessica explained, “This Fairtrade Bridal set was designed to firstly symbolise the union of two people and the pass of them both, intertwining and becoming one whole. Subtly complementing each other, either ring can be worn on its own, but becomes complete when worn together. The wrapping knot detail around the diamond symbolises protection and support, the open braiding detail on the braiding symbolises the two paths and the modern marriage being an equal partnership.
The open braided detail along the band not only represents the joining paths of the wearer but also represents the open nature of the Fairtrade organisation and the knotting detail reflects the unity and importance of the miners, suppliers, and jewellers creating a structure of support (which holds the diamonds).”
Victoria Waugh, Fairtrade Global Business Development Manager on Gold, said: “We couldn’t be happier that Jessica Mead has won the competition. Her passion to work with gold from disadvantaged mining communities and understanding of the need for Fairtrade Gold is inspirational. The pioneering jewellers choosing to support our ‘I Do’ campaign are paving the way for change in the jewellery industry, whilst creating a better life for artisanal gold miners and their families.”
“We are very proud to be supporting both the Fairtrade Foundation and British design talent,” added Mike Burrows from Clark Diamonds.
Finally, Lindsey Straughton, BJA Marketing Manager, commented, “It was a pleasure to meet Jessica and introduce her to Mike Burrows and Gary Wroe. She really has come up with an amazing design that not only will look very pretty but has such a romantic heartfelt story behind it. I’m sure it will look amazing as part of the Fairtrade ‘I Do’ Campaign. The winning design will go on show on our stand K30 at International Jewellery London, which is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee Edition after 60 years in business so do come and take a look.”