Open Call for Aqua, Ambra, Aquila. International Jewelry Competition 2026

We are looking for new, contemporary applications through the means of jewellery design and jewellery art. Special emphasis will be placed on sustainable development thinking, and the use of recycled and ethically produced materials is recommended in the execution of the jewellery.

The competition consists of two stages. In the first stage, the design phase, participants present their plans as images. For the second stage, 10 designs will be selected for the final, and the finalists will produce their designs as finished jewellery at their own expense.

In the evaluation, attention will be paid to the uniqueness, artistic quality and method of execution of the entries, as well as to how the competition theme “Beneath the Surface” has been interpreted in a new way within the context of jewellery.

The competition is open to all. The official languages of the competition are Finnish and English.

An exhibition of the jewellery accepted into the final will be held at Museo Kruunu, opening on Tuesday 15 September 2026 and continuing until Sunday 14 March 2027.


Beneath the Surface
Beneath the surface, the sea is multifaceted, and its surface reveals certain things that are visually easy to read. In fair weather, the sea is calm and shines like a mirror. In stormy weather, it rages and foams, raising high waves that make travel difficult for seafarers. But what happens beneath the surface?

Beneath the surface, its own world prevails. While storms and waves rage above, below the surface life and the cycle of nature continue without our awareness. Climate change, invasive species, new ecosystems — or peace and harmony hidden from the harsh gaze of the world. What might be happening there? We are now seeking these stories told by the sea in the form of jewellery.


Competition Rules
The competition follows the rules stated in this document. Any disputes will be resolved in accordance with these rules.

1. Participants
The competition is open to everyone. In the final phase, selected designs must be produced as jewellery at the participant’s own expense and within the competition schedule.

2. Competition Entries.
The aim of the competition is to design and produce jewellery inspired by the theme “Beneath the Surface.” The material is unrestricted.
Each participant may submit a maximum of three proposals. A single proposal may include a complete jewellery collection, for example a necklace and earrings.

3. Participation
To participate, entrants must submit their proposal by email to toimisto@kultaseppienliitto.fi and pay the €20 jury fee to the designated bank account.

4. Participation Fee
A €20 jury fee is charged. The payment must be made to the account below. Proof of payment must be attached to the submission email.
IBAN: FI 11 2089 3800 0239 66 SWIFT: NDEAFIHH Message: Aqua Ambra Aquila and your pseudonym for identification


The Competition Is Two-Stage
1. Design Phase
Begins 16 February 2026 and ends 21 April 2026.
Participants present their jewellery idea. It may be a drawing, photograph, or rendered image. The jewellery idea must be clearly expressed in the submission. A maximum of three proposals may be submitted. A single proposal may include a collection (e.g., necklace and earrings).

2. Submission of Proposals
Proposals must be submitted in PDF format by email to the competition secretary at: toimisto@kultaseppienliitto.fi
The email must include the designer’s name, address and contact details, as well as the pseudonym under which the proposals are submitted.
Finalists will be selected after the first stage ends. The jury will select the finalists by 20 May 2026, after which the finalists will be informed, and the second stage (the final phase) will begin.
The results will be announced on 21 May.

3. Final Phase
Begins 25 May 2026 and ends 15 August 2026, by which date the finished final works must be received by the competition organizer.
The 10 finalists invited to the final phase will produce their jewellery according to their submitted designs, using materials of their choice, at their own expense. Participants will be informed of their placement before the award ceremony. Three prizes will be awarded.

The award ceremony will take place at Museo Kruunu on Tuesday 15 September 2026. The final works will be exhibited from 16 September 2026 to 14 March 2027.


Shipping of Final Works
Within the EU: Final works must be sent as a postal parcel or courier shipment.
From outside the EU: Works must be sent via a courier or freight company. The sender is responsible for customs clearance and any associated fees, both upon import and upon return (this can be arranged through the courier company).


Other Rules
Entries must not have been previously published.
If copyrighted works or parts thereof are used, the proposal must include clarification of their origin and proof that permission has been granted. In such cases, the entrant is responsible for any copyright fees.

By participating, entrants agree that the design-phase images may be used in competition exhibitions. Artists whose proposals are selected for the final commit to producing the jewellery for the exhibition opening at Museo Kruunu on 15 September 2026. The organizers also reserve the right to present the final works in other competition exhibitions during 2026–2027.

Works selected for the final may not be published before the exhibition opens.
All rights to the proposal remain with the artist. By entering the competition, the participant accepts the terms of this competition program and consents to the proposals being presented in future competition exhibitions.


Prizes
The following prizes will be awarded:
• First prize: 1000 € gift card to the Tavast Goldsmith Tools web shop.
• Second prize: 500 € gift card to the Tavast Goldsmith Tools web shop.
•Third prize: 200 € gift card to the Tavast Goldsmith Tools web shop.

The gift cards may be used to purchase products from the web shop, excluding precious metal products.
The prizes have been donated by Tavast Goldsmith Tools. https://tools.tavast.eu










The prize jury selects the winners. The jury may unanimously decide to distribute the prize sums differently. Note that price money constitutes taxable income for the recipients.


Competition Schedule and Delivery Address
Design Phase Deadline: Friday 21 April 2026 at 16:00. Proposals must be submitted in PDF format by email to: toimisto@kultaseppienliitto.fi

The email must include the entrant’s contact details and pseudonym.


Final Phase Deadline: 15 August 2026. Finished works selected for the final must be delivered to:
Finnish Goldsmiths’ Association.
Ahertajantie 6 C, 02100 Espoo, Finland.

Finalists have been informed of their selection earlier. Works may be sent by post or delivered in person by prior arrangement.
Please arrange for delivery in advance via e-mail.


Competition Jury
- Rosanna Tallgren, Jewellery Designer BFA, Museo Kruunu.
- Elli Hukka, Jewellery Artist.
- Mari Isopahkala, MFA Jewellery Designer.
- Kairin Koovit, Jewellery Artist, BA, Art Director, Roman Tavast.
- The secretary of the jury is Henrik Kihlman, Executive Director of the Finnish Goldsmiths’ Association.


Announcement of Results
After the first design phase has been concluded, the names of the finalists will be announced on Thursday 21 May 2026 on the Finnish Goldsmiths’ Association website: https://www.suomenkultaseppienliitto.fi/ajankohtaista-yle and on the Facebook page “Suomen Kultaseppien liitto, vuodesta 1905”.

The finalists must produce their competition works at their own expense within the given timeframe.
The winners will be announced at the award ceremony during the opening of the final exhibition at Museo Kruunu on 15 September 2026. Prize recipients and other participants will be informed of their placement before the award ceremony.


Further Information
Finnish Goldsmith Association Executive Director Henrik Kihlman
toimisto@suomenkultaseppienliitto.fi
Tel. +358 40 775 1085