Young jewellery designers are being actively supported at this year's Basel 2000 show. The Basel Award has been created to enable students from the world's leading jewellery design schools to work together with the most renowned jewellery manufactur

Young jewellery designers are being actively supported at this year's Basel 2000 show. The Basel Award has been created to enable students from the world's leading jewellery design schools to work together with the most renowned jewellery manufacturers.

A selection of 100 design projects chosen by a specialised jury is on display throughout the show. They will go to a charity auction at Christie's in November, with the proceeds being donated to Sir Peter Ustinov's children's charity "The Global Harmony Foundation".

"The concept of the Basel Award seems to be particularly well-suited to meet the needs of the jewellery sector," said Jacques Duchêne, president of the exhibitors' committee.

"It reveals new talent, it provides a formative experience to future professionals and it reflects a spirit of co-operation between the different partners," he added.

Duchêne said that the solidarity demonstrated by the ten prestigious brands taking part in the first Basel Award had been remarkable. The participating companies alone were responsible for providing the "considerable funds" necessary to complete the winning projects.

"In an increasingly competitive world, it is not always easy to work together and to serve the general interest," he said.

By Robert Brookes

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