PlatAfrica 2011 To Recognise Outstanding Local Platinum Jewellery Design Talent

Online, October 12, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Anglo American Platinum Limited (Amplats), in conjunction with Metal Concentrators and Johnson Matthey, will recognise the best platinum jewellery design talent in South Africa when it hosts the annual PlatAfrica Jewellery Design Awards on 15 October 2011 in Johannesburg.

Besides recognising the outstanding platinum design talent in South Africa, this prestigious event will also showcase the innovative jewellery designs of professionals and students. On display will be a host of platinum jewellery designed around this year's theme of "Platinum Romance" which includes rings, earrings, tie pins, hair pieces and pendants.

Amplats Head of Corporate Communications, Thabisile Phumo says that the PlatAfrica Awards are an appropriate platform to celebrate South African platinum design talent.

"South Africa's truly remarkable platinum jewellery designers require an outlet to not only encourage their development, but acknowledge their hard work, and creative and inspired designs. We are therefore proud to be able to once again host the PlatAfrica Awards, which is helping to facilitate the development of new platinum jewellery design talent, and reinforcing the careers of established professional designers."

This year's theme was appropriately entitled "Platinum Romance", in acknowledgment of platinum's similarities to romance; as both are precious and valued commodities. Thus, entrants into PlatAfrica 2011 were challenged to design celebratory platinum jewellery pieces that demonstrate flair, creativity and romantic passion.

This year's competition offered several categories. The first category recognises collections that were jointly crafted by professionals and students; the second category recognises designs by students; and the third category recognises designs crafted by industry professionals.

Professionals entering the competition are eligible to win R20 000, while the student category and the category recognising collaborations between professionals and students, both offer a cash prize of R15 000.

Phumo concludes that Amplats will continue to support the development of platinum jewellery designers in South Africa through the PlatAfrica design and manufacture competition.

"We firmly believe that awards such as PlatAfrica helps create a real difference, by promoting innovation and technical competence in the design and manufacture of platinum jewellery. Thus, we are proud of our long term sponsorship of these awards, and plan to continue our recognition and support of local platinum jewellery designers."