Sydney-based jewellery designer and JAA member Roberto Mattei has been recognised at the 2019 International Jewellery Design Excellence Awards in Hong Kong. Held during the HKTDC International Jewellery Fair over late February and early March, the IJDE Awards are open for designers  who have previously won jewellery design competitions across the globe.

The 2019 program attracted 137 entries from 21 countries around the globe all vying from one of the 12 accolades including the Champion of Champions Award. Mattei, the owner of Roberto Mattei located in The Strand Arcade, was the recipient of a Merit Award for his entry ‘Contact’ which took out the CAD/CAM/CAST category of the 2017 JAA Jewellery Awards. Roberto, who hails from Rome, started his first business in 1997 before finding his passion for crafting jewellery using CAD which he specialises in now.

“I have been designing jewellery for over 25 years. Staying true to my style for me means designing with my heart and not my pocket. I am a perfectionist through and though”.

The 2019 IJDE Awards welcomed more than one Australian representative with Jewellery Worlds Jeremy Keight invited to sit on the judging panel. Jeremy was joined by Mr Lawrence Ma (CEO of Lee Heng Diamond Group), Mr Jeff Chan (Christies Jewellery Department HK), Mr Renaud Fonverne (Le Bijoutier International), Ms Priscilla Ku (Hong Kong TV Presenter), Mr Giovanni Micera (Preziosa Magazine), Mr Rinri mizuno (Head of Hiko Mizuno college of jewellery) and Ms Diana Zhang (designer and owner of Diana Zhang jewellery).

The JAA wishes to congratulate Roberto for his achievement at the 2019 IJDE Awards and is pleased to see Australian talent showcased on a global stage. Roberto can be contacted at www.robertomattei.com.au/contact or at cad@robertomattei.com.au.

The 2019 JAA Australasian Jewellery Awards were announced last month. Stay tuned for more information regarding entry.