The Thai Gem & Jewelry Traders Association (TGJTA) is inviting amateurs and professional jewellery designers to participate in the Thailand International Jewelry Awards (TIJA) 2009. The platform is a jewellery design competition held on a global scale for designers within Thailand and international counterparts.

The TGJTA has themed the competition as ‘Creative of the World’ and entries have been called for in two categories – day time (for day wear) and executive (for evening wear). Ultimately, 30 pieces from each category will be chosen. “With Thailand’s stature as a leading jewellery design centre, we think we are qualified to contribute more to the advancement of jewellery design by providing a venue and necessary mechanism to support that drive”, said Somchai Phornchindarak CEO of BGJF.

The participants will be supported by Thai jewellery manufacturers to create their sketches into actual pieces, Winners of TIJA 2009, will be honoured with prizes and also have their jewellery displayed at the 43rd BGJF’s Award Party during the event scheduled between February 25 to March 12009 at the Impact Challenger, Bangkok. The award winning pieces and those chosen in the semi-final rounds will be displayed at international exhibitions throughout the world. The jury to judge the entries includes members of local and international industry organisations.