IGI Expressions™ 2025–26 Announces Nine Global Winners from 1,000+ Entries across 55 Countries
The International Gemological Institute (IGI) has revealed the winners of the fifth edition of IGI Expressions™ 2025–26, its international jewellery design competition. This year’s contest attracted more than 1,000 submissions from designers across 55 countries, underscoring the platform’s growing influence and reinforcing its reputation as one of the jewellery industry’s most inclusive global design initiatives.
Held online from December 1 to January 31, the competition revolved around the theme “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.” Designers were encouraged to interpret the ocean’s vast mysteries, resilience, movement, and hidden beauty through original jewellery creations. Participants responded with imaginative designs that translated the ocean’s depth and dynamism into wearable art.
IGI acknowledged the contribution of its esteemed international jury panel, which included Lisa Koenigsberg (USA), Ashraf Motiwala (India), Helen Mao (China), Suuraj Popley (India), and Farah Yazbeck (UAE). The panel assessed entries based on creativity, wearability, and design description, ensuring that the winning pieces reflected both artistic vision and technical excellence.
Nine winners were selected from a shortlist of 60 finalists spanning three categories—Statement Piece, Convertible Jewelry, and Brooch—and three design formats: CAD, manual sketch, and iPad.
The winners of IGI Expressions™ 2025–26 include Vangie Carrillo (USA), Malay Biswas (India), Xú Nà (China), Pratiksha Tambe (India), Tanmay Rit (India), He Huishi (China), Vibhoo Bhargava (India), and Peilin Yao (China), with Vangie Carrillo achieving a notable double win in two categories.
This edition also marked a milestone for the competition, as a U.S.-based designer secured the top honor for the first time in the contest’s history. Each winner will receive a USD 500 cash prize, a trophy, a winner’s certificate, and international recognition through IGI’s global platform.
Commenting on the occasion, Tehmasp Printer said the initiative continues to provide designers worldwide—both emerging and established—with an open platform to showcase their creativity beyond geographical boundaries. He emphasized that the growing participation each year reflects IGI Expressions™’ commitment to encouraging innovation and celebrating the future of jewellery design.
What began as an experiment to democratize jewellery design has steadily evolved into a global movement. With every edition, IGI Expressions™ has expanded its reach, attracting a wider pool of designers and increasingly sophisticated submissions.
The fifth edition, featuring over 1,000 participants and a historic first U.S. winner, marks another milestone for the competition. Free to enter and entirely online, IGI Expressions™ aims to give designers everywhere an equal opportunity to compete on a global stage.