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HRD Design Awards · 20th Edition

Rules & Regulations

2027 Theme — “Where Earth Meets Eternity – Born from the Earth. Worn Forever.”

Preamble

These Rules and Regulations (the “Rules”) govern participation in the 20th edition of the HRD Design Awards (the “Competition”), organised by HRD Antwerp NV, a company incorporated under Belgian law, with registered seat at Hoveniersstraat 22, 2018, Antwerp, Belgium, registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises under number 0885.938.315 (“HRD”).

By submitting a design, each participant unconditionally accepts these Rules in their entirety. Participation is voluntary and free of charge. These Rules constitute a legally binding agreement between HRD and each participant under Belgian law.

These Rules are governed by Belgian law. Any dispute arising from participation in the Competition, to the extent not resolved under Article 10 below, shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Antwerp (Belgium).

IT IS AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Participation Criteria

The Competition is open to all individuals worldwide, whether professional or non-professional designers, students, graduates, teachers, jewellers, goldsmiths, or persons with an interest in jewellery design.

Participants must be at least 18 years of age at the date of the closure of the registration, i.e. 1 October 2026. Participants who are under 18 years of age may participate solely upon submission of a written and signed parental or guardian consent letter, addressed to the HRD Design Awards Administrator at hrddesignawards@hrdantwerp.com. In the absence of such consent, the submission of a minor will be rejected.

Participation is on a strictly individual basis. Submissions made on behalf of or in the name of a company, partnership, or other legal entity will not be accepted.

Participation is free of charge.

Employees and contractors of HRD Antwerp NV and members of the jury panel are not eligible to participate.

2. Submission Rules

2.1 Number of entries

  1. A participant may submit a maximum of one (1) design per category. For example, a participant can submit one (1) design under the Diamond category, and one (1) design under the Everyday Radiance category.
  2. Where a participant submits two or more designs in the same category, HRD will contact the participant to select one design for retention. If no response is received within five (5) calendar days of notification, HRD will disqualify all submissions in that category from that participant.
  3. A participant may submit designs in multiple categories (maximum one per category).

2.2 Anonymity

  1. Each participant will receive a Unique Registration Number (“URN”) upon registration. The URN must be marked on the bottom right corner of the design submission.
  2. Participants must not include their full name on the design. A short personal signature for purposes of ownership identification is permitted.
  3. The anonymity requirement is mandatory to ensure the integrity of the jury process.

2.3 Originality

  1. All submitted designs must be entirely original works created by the submitting participant.
  2. Submitted designs must not infringe any third-party intellectual property rights, including copyright, design rights, or trademark rights.
  3. HRD reserves the right to disqualify any design found to be copied, plagiarised, or otherwise in breach of third-party intellectual property rights. In such cases, the participant will be notified in writing and may submit evidence of ownership within ten (10) calendar days of notification. HRD’s determination following such review is final.
  4. Where a dispute arises between participants regarding the ownership or originality of a design, evidence (including proof of copyright or design right) must be submitted to legal@hrdantwerp.com. HRD will assess such claims in good faith but is not an arbitral body and its determination does not prejudice the parties’ legal rights.

3. Design Specifications

3.1 Technical Requirements

  1. All designs — including entries in the Everyday Radiance category — must incorporate a minimum of 1.00 carat and a maximum of 25.00 carats of natural diamonds and/or gemstones in total.
  2. Precious metals and other materials used in the design must complement and be appropriate to the diamonds and/or gemstones featured.
  3. Innovative and unconventional materials are permitted.
  4. The use of fancy-shaped diamonds, fancy-colour diamonds, rough diamonds, and rare gemstones should be limited and must be justified within the design concept.
  5. Manual, CAD-generated, and iPad-rendered designs are all accepted.

3.2 Design submission specifications

  1. Paper size: A4 (210 × 297 mm).
  2. Presentation: full colour, rendered.
  3. Resolution: minimum 100 dpi; maximum 300 dpi.
  4. The name of the design (if any) must appear in English on the top right corner of the submission. Where a regional language name is used, an English translation must also be provided.
  5. The URN must appear on the bottom right corner of the submission.
  6. Participants must not include their full name on the design. A short personal signature for purposes of ownership identification is permitted.
  7. Measurements of the design must be stated in millimetres.
  8. An inspiration note of a maximum of 10 lines must accompany the design, explaining the source of inspiration in relation to the 2027 theme “Where Earth Meets Eternity – Born from the Earth. Worn Forever”.

4. Jury and Selection Process

All submitted designs will be evaluated by an international jury panel appointed by HRD (“the Jury”). Jury members are provided with adequate time to assess each submission.

Designs will be judged anonymously, identified by URN only. All designs must receive a minimum of four (4) jury votes to advance beyond the first evaluation round.

Designs will be assessed in their totality against the following five criteria: (i) Originality (source of inspiration); (ii) Wearability; (iii) Manufacturability; (iv) Design technique; and (v) the Creative use of diamonds and/or gemstones.

The Jury will select the top three (3) finalists in each category, based on the aggregate votes and scores received across the five criteria.

Participants may not contact any Jury member directly or indirectly in relation to the Competition. Any attempt to influence the Jury will result in immediate disqualification.

The Jury’s decisions as to the selection of finalists and winners are final. No correspondence will be entered into regarding the scoring or ranking of designs. This clause does not exclude a participant’s right to raise a complaint regarding procedural irregularity under Article 10.3.

5. Winner Categories

The following awards will be presented at the Grand Finale:

  1. Winner — Global Winner (participant with the highest aggregate votes across all categories).
  2. Winner — Diamond Category.
  3. Winner — Gemstone Category.
  4. Winner — Everyday Radiance Category.
  5. Winner — India Special Prize.
  6. Winner — Young Designer.

Winners and finalists will be promoted by HRD on an international scale through HRD Antwerp’s marketing platforms, including social media channels, press releases, and the HRD Antwerp website, subject to the terms of the Photo and Media Release Form (Article 8).

The HRD Awards collection remains at the disposal of HRD Antwerp for promotional use worldwide (an extension of this period is always possible) with the designer’s permission.

6. Grand Finale — India

6.1 Event and attendance

The Grand Finale and Award Ceremony will take place in India, at a date and venue to be announced by HRD following the close of the design submission period.

All finalists selected under Article 4.4 are required to attend the Grand Finale in person (“Required Attendance”). Failure to attend without prior notification and HRD’s written agreement will result in forfeiture of the finalist’s award and any associated prize.

Finalists will be notified of their selection by email to the address provided at registration. It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure that the email address on file is accurate and monitored. HRD is not responsible for notifications that are undelivered due to incorrect contact details.

6.2 Travel and accommodation — HRD’s obligations

HRD will arrange and bear the cost of the following for each finalist:

  1. Economy class return air travel from the finalist’s country of residence to India, on a route and with a carrier selected by HRD;
  2. Two (2) nights’ hotel accommodation in India, in a hotel and room category selected by HRD at its sole discretion.

HRD’s obligation is limited to the arrangements described in this Article. No cash equivalent or alternative compensation will be provided in lieu of these arrangements.

6.3 Upgrades and variations at finalist’s cost

If a finalist wishes to upgrade the flight option arranged by HRD (including but not limited to business or first class travel), or to change the routing or carrier, the difference in cost between HRD’s arranged option and the upgraded option is entirely at the finalist’s own expense. Such upgrades must be requested directly with the carrier and are subject to availability.

If a finalist wishes to stay at a different hotel from the one arranged by HRD, or to upgrade the room category, or to extend the stay beyond the two (2) nights covered by HRD, all additional costs are entirely at the finalist’s own expense. In such cases, HRD will not pre-book the alternative accommodation and the finalist is responsible for making their own arrangements.

HRD accepts no liability for any additional costs, losses, or inconveniences arising from a finalist’s choice to vary the travel or accommodation arrangements provided under Article 6.2.

6.4 Visa and travel documents

Finalists are solely responsible for obtaining any visa, travel authorisation, or other documentation required to enter India and to attend the Grand Finale. HRD will provide a letter of invitation to support visa applications upon request but does not guarantee the grant of any visa or entry clearance.

If a finalist is unable to attend the Grand Finale due to visa refusal, travel restrictions, or any other cause outside HRD’s control, HRD’s obligations under Article 6.2 are automatically discharged and no replacement or cash equivalent will be provided.

6.5 Limitation of liability

HRD’s liability in connection with the travel and accommodation arrangements under this Article is limited to the direct cost of the arrangements actually made by HRD on behalf of the finalist. HRD is not liable for any indirect, consequential, or incidental loss, including but not limited to missed connections, cancellations, delays, loss of personal property, or personal injury.

Finalists are strongly advised to obtain personal travel insurance covering cancellation, medical expenses, and personal liability for their travel to and from India.

7. Intellectual Property and Design Ownership

Copyright in each submitted design remains entirely with its author (the participating designer). Submission of a design to the Competition does not constitute an assignment or transfer of any intellectual property rights to HRD.

By submitting a design, each participant grants HRD a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to reproduce, display, and publish the submitted design (the “Promotional Licence”) solely for the following purposes: (i) promotion and communication of the Competition and its results; and (ii) HRD’s corporate communications, including press releases, website, and social media.

The Promotional Licence is granted for a period of two (2) years from the date of the Grand Finale, with the possibility of extension by mutual written agreement between HRD and the relevant designer.

The Promotional Licence does not permit HRD to: (i) sell or sublicense the design to third parties; (ii) use the design for commercial product development; or (iii) alter the design in a manner that is prejudicial to the designer’s honour or reputation.

HRD will credit the designer’s name (or URN prior to unblinding) in all publications featuring the design, unless the designer requests otherwise in writing.

The term “HRD Awards Collection” as used in these Rules refers to the totality of submitted designs made available by their respective authors for promotional use under Article 7.2.

8. Photo and Media Release

As part of the registration process, participants will be asked to complete a Photo and Media Release Form (“Release Form”) governing HRD’s right to use photographs and audiovisual recordings in which the participant appears in connection with the Competition and the Grand Finale.

Completion of the Release Form is separate from, and does not affect, the participant’s right to participate in the Competition or the evaluation of their design. Participants who do not consent to photographic or audiovisual use may withdraw their consent by notifying HRD at privacy@hrdantwerp.com. HRD will respect such decisions without prejudice to participation.

The Release Form constitutes a separate consent to processing of personal data for promotional purposes and will comply with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) as applicable. Consent given through the Release Form may be withdrawn at any time, subject to the lawfulness of processing carried out prior to withdrawal (cf. art. 7(3) GDPR).

9. Personal Data and Privacy

HRD Antwerp NV is the data controller within the meaning of art. 4(7) GDPR in respect of personal data collected through the Competition registration process and the Release Form.

Personal data (including name, email address, country of residence, and any other information voluntarily provided at registration) is collected and processed for the following purposes and on the following legal bases:

  1. Administration and management of the Competition: art. 6(1)(b) GDPR (performance of a contract / pre-contractual measures);
  2. Communication with participants regarding the Competition: art. 6(1)(b) GDPR;
  3. Publication of winning and finalist designs and promotion of the Competition: art. 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interest), where photo/media release consent is not the applicable basis; or art. 6(1)(a) GDPR (consent) where separately obtained through the Release Form.

Personal data will be retained for a period of three (3) years following the Grand Finale, after which it will be deleted or anonymised, unless a longer retention period is required by applicable law.

Participants have the right to: (i) access their personal data (art. 15 GDPR); (ii) rectification of inaccurate data (art. 16 GDPR); (iii) erasure in applicable circumstances (art. 17 GDPR); (iv) restriction of processing (art. 18 GDPR); (v) data portability (art. 20 GDPR); and (vi) object to processing based on legitimate interest (art. 21 GDPR). Requests should be addressed to privacy@hrdantwerp.com.

Participants have the right to lodge a complaint with the Belgian Data Protection Authority (Gegevensbeschermingsautoriteit / Autorité de protection des données), Rue de la Presse 35, 1000 Brussels, contact@apd-gba.be.

Where participants are resident outside the European Economic Area, personal data may be transferred to HRD’s operational entities or service providers located outside the EEA. Such transfers are made subject to appropriate safeguards, pursuant to art. 46 GDPR where required.

A full Privacy Notice is available at www.hrdantwerp.com. Participants are encouraged to review this Notice prior to registration.

10. Disputes and Complaints

General queries. For general queries regarding the Competition, participants may contact HRD at hrddesignawards@hrdantwerp.com.

Ownership and originality disputes. For disputes concerning the ownership or originality of a submitted design (including allegations of plagiarism or copyright infringement), participants must address their complaint to legal@hrdantwerp.com, with full supporting documentation.

Procedural-irregularity complaints. For complaints regarding procedural irregularities in the conduct of the Competition or the jury process, participants must submit a written complaint to legal@hrdantwerp.com within fifteen (15) calendar days of the act or omission giving rise to the complaint. HRD will investigate and respond within thirty (30) calendar days.

Jury merits not challengeable. The Jury’s assessment of individual designs on the merits (scoring, ranking, and selection) is not subject to challenge. The complaints mechanism in Article 10.3 is limited to procedural matters and does not extend to the merits of a Jury decision.

No limit on court or supervisory authority redress. Nothing in these Rules limits a participant’s right to seek redress before a competent court or, in respect of data protection matters, before the competent supervisory authority.

11. Disqualification

HRD reserves the right to disqualify a participant and/or remove a submitted design from the Competition in the following circumstances:

  1. The design is found to be copied, plagiarised, or in breach of third-party intellectual property rights;
  2. The participant provides false or misleading information at registration;
  3. The participant attempts to contact or influence a Jury member;
  4. The design does not comply with the technical specifications in Article 3;
  5. The participant is in material breach of these Rules.

Where disqualification is based on alleged copying or plagiarism, HRD will notify the participant and provide an opportunity to respond within ten (10) calendar days before a final determination is made, save where immediate removal is necessary to protect the integrity of the Competition.

HRD’s decision to disqualify is final, subject to the participant’s right to raise a procedural complaint under Article 10.3.

12. General Provisions

HRD reserves the right to amend these Rules at any time prior to the close of the design submission period. Material amendments will be communicated to registered participants by email. Continued participation following notification of an amendment constitutes acceptance of the amended Rules.

HRD reserves the right to cancel or postpone the Competition or the Grand Finale in the event of circumstances beyond its reasonable control (including force majeure events). In such cases, HRD will communicate with registered participants as soon as reasonably practicable and will not be liable for any costs or losses incurred by participants as a result.

If any provision of these Rules is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision will be severed from the Rules and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

These Rules, together with the Release Form and any written communications from HRD confirming finalist travel arrangements, constitute the entire agreement between HRD and each participant in relation to the Competition.

These Rules are governed by Belgian law. The courts of Antwerp, Belgium have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising from these Rules, save where mandatory consumer protection laws of the participant’s country of residence confer jurisdiction on the courts of that country.

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