Imagine a space where your design talent meets a global opportunity, a platform where your creativity doesn’t just shine but sparks dialogue and inspires change. That’s what the CaratLane Designathon 2025 sets out to create.
What is the CaratLane Designathon?
A celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and conscience, the CaratLane Designathon invites visionaries worldwide to rethink jewellery for the future. It’s more than just a design competition; it’s a movement that champions innovation and narrative-rich design.
This initiative aims to spotlight emerging and established jewellery designers by offering them an international platform to showcase their work. The CaratLane Designathon is envisioned as an evolving space for fresh thinking, inspired creativity, and exploring what the next era of jewellery design could look like.
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Why Participate in CaratLane’s Jewellery Design Competition?
Joining the Designathon isn’t just about submitting a sketch; it’s about entering a community of forward-thinking designers and changemakers.
What’s in it for you?
- A place in the spotlight: All winning designs will be featured with global visibility
- Exciting accolades: 5 winners will be chosen: 1 winner ($5000), 1 First Runner-up ($3000), and 3 Second Runners-up ($1500 each). All five will receive trophies and certificates.
- Possible future with CaratLane: Exceptional designs may lead to job opportunities with “CaratLane” or “Shaya”.
- PR buzz: A formal announcement celebrating the winners will be featured on CaratLane’s social media platforms and in a dedicated PR article.
Whether you’re a student, an experienced professional, or someone exploring a career shift into jewellery design, this is your opportunity to turn bold ideas into wearable narratives.
The Big Idea: Design for a Better Tomorrow
Jewellery, long a symbol of beauty and tradition, is now being reimagined as a medium to explore themes like environmental awareness. This year’s challenge encourages designers to utilise their craft to spark conversations about the most pressing environmental issues.
Whether it’s the threat to biodiversity, the impact of pollution, or the urgency of deforestation, your design can serve as both an ornament and an act of activism.
Themes & Inspirations
- Draw inspiration from themes related to nature, wildlife, and broader environmental challenges that impact life on Earth.
- Reinterpret Indian handcrafts through a modern lens that reflects today’s design sensibilities.
- Channel global environmental stories into powerful design statements.
Judging Criteria: What Makes a Winning Design?
Your design should do more than look good to stand out; it should speak, surprise, and stay relevant.
- IMAGINE: Does your design depict future environmental or societal challenges?
- CREATE: Does it present a fresh take on design, execution, or concepts?
- DELIGHT: Is it visually striking and functional to wear?
Important Evaluation Aspects
Winning entries don’t just tick boxes, they leave a lasting impression. To help your design stand out, keep in mind the following elements that the jury will closely examine:
- Strong storytelling and concept clarity: Your design should clearly communicate the inspiration and thought process behind it, while explaining how the concept translates into the final piece.
- Technical excellence in design mechanisms and craftsmanship: Precision in detailing, innovative construction, and functional feasibility are paramount.
- Visual appeal and practical wearability: Beyond aesthetics, your piece should be something people would genuinely want to wear.
- Alignment with the Designathon theme: Make sure your submission reflects the spirit of purpose-driven design, one that engages with environmental or societal issues meaningfully.
Who Can Participate?
Creativity knows no boundaries, and neither does this competition. It’s open to everyone, including:
- Students from any discipline
- Independent artists
- Industry professionals
There’s no cap on the number of entries. Submissions must be digital, scanned, or hand-drawn sketches, or created via digital design software.
Categories and Materials Allowed
CaratLane Segment
Design Categories: Ring, Earring, Wristwear, Neckwear, Brooch
Material Specifications:
- Metal: 18kt Gold
- Gold Weight: 7–10 grams
- Permitted Additions: Diamonds, gemstones, pearls, mechanisms, and crafting techniques
Shaya Segment
Design Categories: Ring, Earring, Wristwear, Neckwear, Anklet
Material Specifications:
- Metal: 925 Silver
- Maximum Silver Weight: 50 grams
- Permitted Additions: Gemstones, pearls, traditional or experimental techniques, and mechanical components
Participants may submit designs in one or both segments, ensuring each design meets the specified weight and material requirements while showcasing innovative thinking and craftsmanship.
How to Submit Your Jewellery Designs
The process is simple and inclusive:
- Deadline for entries: 18th Sept 2025
- Submit digital renderings or scanned manual sketches
- Each entry must include a name and a brief (300-word) note on the inspiration behind the design
Timeline and Key Dates to Remember
Mark your calendar for these crucial milestones:
- Entries Open From: 4th August 2025
- Webinar Sessions: 14th August 2025
- Submission Deadline: 18th September 2025
- Nominations Announcement: 8th October 2025
- Winner Announcement: 8th November 2025
Meet the Esteemed Jury Panel
Your work will be seen and reviewed by some of the finest minds in the jewellery world:
- Meghna Jhaveri – Director Merchandise & Design at CaratLane
- Shimul Vyas Mehta – Practitioner, Author & Design Educator
- Lia Di Gregorio – LDG Atelier, Milan, Italy
- Preeta Agarwal – Digital Creator, Jewellery Advisor & Influencer
What Participants Need to Know: Key Guidelines and Support
Keep these essentials in mind:
- Originality is key. Submit only your own work – no derivatives or replicas allowed. Each entry must include a name and a concept note.
- Material guidelines: Stick to the permitted metals and weights. Industrial materials or processes are not allowed.
- Submission format: Only digital submissions are accepted. If hand-drawn, designs must be scanned and submitted. You may also create your design using any standard design software.
- Unlimited entries: You’re free to submit multiple designs across any or all categories.
- Evaluation criteria: Designs will be judged on creativity, relevance, execution, and how well they align with CaratLane’s design philosophy.
- Support and Resources: Visit the Designathon microsite for FAQs, inspiration boards, and step-by-step submission details.
- Webinars: Don’t miss the online webinar on August 14th, 2025, where you’ll get a chance to interact with experts, understand the judging criteria, refine your submission, and get all your questions answered. You can register to attend the webinar on 14th August; however, registration is not mandatory for submitting your design.
Before you start your design journey or hit submit, here are some quick answers to common questions that might come up along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Do I need to manufacture the jewellery or submit a design?
You only need to submit your design. CaratLane will craft the physical product if your design is shortlisted.
Q2: What materials am I allowed to use?
Only the materials mentioned in the brief are permitted: 925 Silver and 18kt Gold & Diamonds, within specified weight limits. Avoid materials that require industrial manufacturing.
Q3: What should my submission include?
Every entry must have a design title and a concept note (maximum 300 words) explaining your inspiration and design story. Submissions should be digital, created using design software or scanned versions of hand-drawn sketches.
Q4: What is the last date for submitting entries?
The final submission date is 18th September 2025.
Q5: Can I submit more than one design?
Yes! There’s no limit to how many entries you can submit.
Q6: Do I need to follow any design language?
Yes. Designs must reflect CaratLane’s design ethos: contemporary, refined, and wearable.
Q7: What happens if I submit a copied design?
Plagiarised or derivative designs will be disqualified. CaratLane and the jury hold final discretion in all matters.
Q8: Who owns the submitted designs?
CaratLane Trading Pvt. Ltd. retains ownership of all submitted designs.
Q9: Is there an age or professional requirement to enter?
Not at all! There are no age or professional restrictions. Anyone with a passion for jewellery design is welcome to participate.
Q10: Where can I get my questions answered?
Email your queries to designathon@caratlane.com. Also, don’t miss the live webinar on 14th August 2025, where experts will answer all your questions.
Final Thoughts: Why This Designathon Matters
In a world where design can be a force for good, CaratLane invites you to use your talent for a meaningful cause. This is your chance to merge artistry with advocacy and show how jewellery can make a statement, beyond sparkle.
Through the Designathon, CaratLane continues to foster creativity that resonates with conscience, community, and culture.
Ready to shape futures through jewellery?
Visit the CaratLane Designathon website to download the brief, register, and submit your entries before 18th September 2025.
