Jewelry comes in a wide variety of types and styles, depending on the time period and country of origin. Simple pieces can have elaborate designs. Complex pieces can have simple designs. Likewise, there are two main areas in jewelry production: 1) Creation Processes (Annealing, Filing, Sawing, Pickling, Piercing, Soldering, Casting, Mounting, Polishing, etc.) and 2) Decorative Processes (Chasing, Repousse, Enameling, Stone Setting, Carving, Wire Work, etc.). One area can be more complex than the other. Take all elements and areas into consideration when judging. A piece should not be counted down merely because of simple design.
DOCUMENTATION (3-30 points. SCORED 1-10 then MULTIPLY BY 3) Must have at least a 3x5 card (or A6 paper). More is acceptable, although one or two pages should be more than enough, not counting visuals and bibliography. Three pages for exceptionally detailed and in-depth work. The best documentation will cover what they did in period, what the creator did in the project, and why the difference (if any). It will also explain any conscious compromises made, and provide footnotes, illustrations, and references, as well as any original research or experimentation as it applies to the project. Give score based on the following:
• A minimum of a 3 x 5 (A6) card with some of the following: Name (type) of item, country of origin, period of origin, characteristics of style for that period, reference.
• Materials used in the project
• Skills (necessary to complete the project)
• Methods and Tools used during the process
• Research (country, period of origin, typical characteristics, etc), visual and descriptive references (books, portraits, etc.) from reliable sources
• Artistic design and appropriateness of choices for intended purpose
AUTHENTICITY (0-20 points) [SCORE 0-10 and then DOUBLE THE SCORE]
• 0: Totally out of period and blatantly modern
• 1-2: Entry is appropriate to time/place stated in documentation.
• 3-4: Generally period with some obvious modern elements or mixture of elements from different cultures or periods. (e.g., modern process producing results equivalent to period process)
• 5-6: Overall period style and execution with minor inconsistencies, period materials or give period effect.
• 7-8: Period methods, design and execution with no inconsistencies; period materials or reasonable equivalents
• 9-10: Special effort to achieve completely period product by use of period design, materials, tools, techniques, etc. (Ex. all hand-done with period techniques); special effort to make entirely authentic and appropriate. Completely period process without modern shortcuts.
COMPLEXITY (1-10 points) Rank the ambition of the entry, not the workmanship, scale of 1-10 based on the following:
• Complexity of the medium(s) being worked in (difficulties of materials used).
• Number and variety of composition elements (layout, proportion, balance, color, etc.).
• Intricacy of creating design in size/scale utilized in the entry. (Remember that all sizes are difficult because in small scale it is difficult to get details and in large scale, any minor flaw shows noticeably.)
• Number and variety of design elements (decorative motifs, figures, stones, spacers, different types of metals).
• Difficulty and variety of techniques attempted (annealing, filing, sawing, pickling, piercing, soldering, casting, mounting, polishing, chasing, repousse, enameling, stone setting, carving, wire work, etc.).
• Amount of time involved, including research and material preparation.
WORKMANSHIP (3-30 points. SCORE 1-10 then MULTIPLY BY 3) Rank the quality of execution and success of the entry on a scale of 1-10 based on the following:
• Attention to details, techniques, neatness and finishing touches.
• Choice of materials/design combinations and appropriate application of design(s)
• Effective use of materials, tools, and designs.
• Durability of the item (able to survive wear/usage). Ability of entry to serve intended function.
• Mastery of period style, methods, and practices, personalization or special embellishment.
AESTHETIC VALUE (1-10 points) Evaluate the work as a whole, rating the aesthetic effect and appeal beyond the mere technical proficiency. Consider how you react to the entry (intuitive response) and other items not previously addressed.