JORGC Awards 2017 2026

The College of Jewelers, Goldsmiths, Watchmakers and Gemologists of Catalonia (JORGC) commemorates its 15th anniversary this year. Coinciding with this celebration, and during the traditional dinner of the patrons of the sector, Sant Eloi, Santa Llúcia and Santa Gemma on December 1, presented theJORGC Awards 2017. The place chosen this year was the Born Center de Cultura i Memòria and was attended by more than a hundred professionals from the sector.

The JORGC Awards were established in 2007 to recognize individual careers that are a reference for the entire group. The JORGC Awards trophies have been created and designed by JORGC School teacher Anna Joan. The trophies are made of bronze with an iron support and are made by hand, so each specimen is unique.

This year, the main prize is awarded to the artist Bernd Munsteiner, known as “the Picasso of precious stones”. Born near Idar-Oberstein, the German capital of precious stones and a mecca for carvers, Munsteiner has always been nourished by his environment. He studied with Professor Ullrich of the renowned Pforzheim school. Since 1973 he has worked in his own workshop in Stipshausen, from which he projects his innovative creations, which can be found exhibited in the most prestigious museums and art galleries around the world.

In addition, the JORGC awards a prize for each of the sections of the College, which have been:

JORGC Trade: Joieria Moner

Founded in 1871 in Barcelona as a watchmaking workshop and established in Vilafranca del Penedès since 1926, the Moner family soon added jewelry to their establishment. And he is currently carrying out a family project that transmits the jewelry trade from generation to generation, with the 5th being the one who now takes the reins of the business in the person of Gena Soler.

JORGC Design: Ramon Puig i Cuyàs

Puig studied jewelry at the Massana School in Barcelona where, from 1977 to 2016, he has taught jewelry design and projects. He has been invited to schools and universities and has participated as an expert consultant and curator of awards and exhibitions. Since 1974 his work has been continuously exhibited in major cities around the world and is part of the most important private and public jewelry collections.

JORGC Gemology: Joaquim Ma. Nogués

Doctor in Geology and gemologist from the University of Barcelona and the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, Joaquim Ma. Nogués is Professor of Crystallography and Mineralogy in the Faculty of Geology of said University, of which he was vice dean between 1993 and 1999. He was director of the School of Gemology of the same university between 1985 and 1992 and between 2007 and 2016. Promoter of the Federation of European Schools of Gemology (FEEG), held the positions of vice president (1994-1999), president (1999-2005) and is currently honorary president of the entity.

JORGC Crafts: Lluís Comín

A contemporary craftsman with more than 40 years of experience, Lluís Comín, started in the trade at the age of 16, combining his studies at the Massana school with work in his father's workshop. He is a gemologist and diamond specialist from the University of Barcelona and the Gemmological Association of Great Britain. His work can be found in his own gallery “66 mistral gallery” and in galleries and exhibitions in different countries in Europe, America and more recently Asia. In fact, its recognition transcends Spanish territory and already covers an international level.

JORGC Watchmaking: Antonio Mula

Currently retired, Mula de Castro considers himself a watchmaker by vocation due to the influence of his father, who was one by hobby. At the age of 14 he entered the Santa Llúcia watchmaking school and, upon graduating, he completed a stage in Switzerland to perfect the craft that years later he would develop for a decade for Ometisa (Omega and Tissot). After this stage, he decided to set up his own workshop and worked for different watch shops and businesses in the sector. It specializes in certain brands such as Zenith, IWC, Eterna, Porche, Desing, etc. His colleagues, already teachers, consider him a source of inspiration and wisdom.

JORGC Manufacturers: Roca-Atelier

Born in Barcelona by Enric Roca in 1939, Roca Atelier creates its pieces one by one, without rushing and to the rhythm of a crescendo melody that culminates in sublime jewels. Their collections, known for their quality and aesthetic precision, are the result of demand and talent, after more than 75 years of learned trade and the concern of the new generations, who contribute their youth and innovation to this great Catalan jewelry company located in Vic. Currently, the second generation (Xevi i Jordi Roca) is already being joined by the third (Xevi i Guillem) with new ideas.

About the JORGCThe College of Jewelers, Goldsmiths, Watchmakers and Gemologists of Catalonia (JORGC) was the first college in this sector to be established as a public law corporation in the world, since it was established as an assembly in October 2002. The JORGC model is a pioneer in the Spanish market and has served to mark a path that has subsequently followed in other autonomous communities.

JORGC

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