Sydney-based jewellery designer Nadia Neuman, owner of Mondial by Nadia, has won the Champion of Champions award at the 7th International Jewellery Design Excellence (IJDE) Awards. The competition, held as part of the HKTDC International Jewellery Show in Hong Kong, featured entries from award-winning jewellers worldwide.
Neuman’s winning piece, Kaleidoscope, stood out among 80 entries from nine countries and regions, including seven from Australia. The awards brought together competition winners from countries such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Russia, China, Iran, Australia, and the UK, with designers competing for the prestigious Champion of Champions title.
An Award-Winning Design: Kaleidoscope
Neuman’s piece, Kaleidoscope, is an 18ct yellow and white gold pendant featuring 32.26 carats of natural coloured and white diamonds in champagne, yellow, cognac, orange, blue, and pink hues. Designed with interchangeable components, the pendant includes a fully functional kaleidoscope mechanism, demonstrating a creative approach to jewellery design.
The piece had already gained industry recognition, having won the Supreme Award at the 2023 Diamond Guild of Australia Awards before securing its latest international accolade.
Following her win, Neuman said the judges praised Kaleidoscope for showing “heart and passion”, noting its originality and unique craftsmanship.
A Legacy in Jewellery
Neuman’s success builds on a longstanding family tradition in jewellery. Her family was among the first to purchase pink diamonds directly from the Argyle Mine, contributing to Australia’s reputation for rare and coloured diamonds. Today, she continues this heritage at her boutique, Mondial by Nadia, located in The Strand Arcade, Sydney.
She travelled to Hong Kong alongside Sonia Leydman, Specialist Consultant at Mondial by Nadia, to accept the award in person.
The IJDE Awards and Judging Panel
The IJDE Awards serve as a global platform for competition winners from various national and international jewellery design contests. The Champion of Champions trophy was designed by Wallace Chan, a prominent figure in international jewellery design.
The judging panel featured key figures in the jewellery industry, including:
- Lawrence Ma, Chairman, HKTDC International Jewellery Show
- Jessica Fong, Director, Unicorn Jewelry Design Co.
- Loletta Lai, Head of Marketing, Natural Diamonds APAC, De Beers Group
- Olivier Segura, Gemologist and Scientific Director, L’École School of Jewelry Arts
- Belinda Yuen, Associate Specialist, Jewellery Department, Christie’s Hong Kong
- Giovanni Micera, Editor-in-Chief, Preziosa Magazine
- Bebe Bakhshi, Blogger and Influencer, Champagne Gems
Industry Impact
Neuman’s win highlights the global reach of Australian jewellery designers and reflects an increasing recognition of coloured diamonds in contemporary jewellery. With natural coloured diamonds becoming a growing focus in high-end design, pieces like Kaleidoscope demonstrate how jewellers are integrating innovation with traditional craftsmanship.
The success of independent jewellers in international competitions reinforces Australia’s position in the global jewellery industry and signals continued demand for distinctive and high-quality designs.
