Launched in 1984, the annual natural colored gemstone and cultured pearl jewelry design competition is considered by many to be the most respected and prestigious creative award for the jewelry design industry.

FORBES: Award Winning Jewelry Designs

The competition is founded and hosted by the A merican Gem Trade Association, an organization of United States and Canadian trade professionals that promote the long-term stability and integrity of the natural colored gemstone and cultured pearl industries.

FORBES: Award Winning Jewelry Designs

In the 1890s, Kokichi Mikimoto perfected the process of creating whole cultured pearls by introducing an irritant into an oyster's tissue, thereby making high-quality pearl jewelry more available and affordable.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia