Dazzling designs by three Fife College students have been recognised at a national jewellery competition.  

HND Jewellery student Jana Cseriova-Halbacova, from Burntisland, picked up two of the top prizes on offer at this year’s Gemset Competition, while classmates Hazel-Anne Williams, from Kirkcaldy, and Rebecca Shaw, from Kelty, were presented with Highly Commended awards.

Jana’s unique necklace won both the best primarily handmade category and the best overall category at the annual competition which is open to all universities and colleges in Scotland offering jewellery courses. 

Created and organised by the Scottish Gemmological Association, The Gemset Competition encourages the use of gem materials in the work of students at all levels of universities, colleges and art schools.

The competition tasks students with designing and making an item of wearable gem-set jewellery which emphasises and shows off the gemstones at their best.  

Each prize winner at the Gemset Competition is awarded a complimentary one-year membership of the Scottish Gemmological Association.

Jana said: “Taking part in the Gemset Competition was an exciting experience but to be awarded two prizes was amazing. It just solidifies the fantastic teaching we receive from the staff on the jewellery course at Fife College.

“I could never do it without ongoing support of my fantastic teachers Susan McMillan and Kathryn Williamson and my fellow students. I am grateful, honoured and very proud to be part of this creative industry.”

Susan McMillan, Lecturer in Art and Design, said: “We are so proud of Jana, Hazel-Anne and Rebecca. They were up against some strong competition from across Scotland, so to come away the prizes they did is a brilliant achievement. 

“To have their work recognised at a national level by an organisation like The Scottish Gemmological Association will be a great boost for them as they continue their creative careers and studies. Congratulations to all three!”

For more information about creative courses available at Fife College, including Jewellery, visit our course pages.  

Photograph: Jana Cseriova-Halbacova’s submission, which won the best primarily handmade category and best overall category at The Scottish Gemmological Association’s 2020 Gemset Competition is pictured.