Ilgiz Fazulzyanov. Chairman of the judges, J-1 Jewellery Competition. Russian artist, jeweler, enamelist, founder of Ilgiz F brand, two-times award and Grand Prix winner of the International Jewellery Design Excellence Award.

Dickson Yewn. YEWN’s creative director, creates wearable works of art with sophisticated craftsmanship in the twenty-first century, that reminds people of national treasures made by imperial artisans. Since the end of Chinese monarchy, fine jewelry inheriting the essence of traditional Chinese arts and culture are rarely made. YEWN has the vision to revive the fineness and sophistication of Chinese arts and culture.

Yelena Veselaya. Editor-in-chief of Jewellery catalogue, lead jewellery expert, renowned journalist.

Anastasia Shapovalova. Chief buyer of Mercury jewellery and watch department, has more than 20 years of track record in the industry. Prior to joining the jewellery business, Anastasia managed procurement of fashion clothing and accessories, and today many fashionable global jewellery brands are featured in major Moscow and Saint-Petersburg department stores — TSUM and DLT.

Jurate Gurauskaite. Pioneer of domestic fashion and beauty media. Upon graduation from the MSU Department of Journalism and work at Kommersant newspaper she went to the “glamour” side and became the head of culture department and then a deputy editor-in-chief at Vogue Russia. In 2005 Jurate launched a Russian version of InStyle, another famous American publication and headed it as its editor-in-chief till late April 2022 (until revocation of its license), which is quite rare in the world of media. Now she’s taken on a new challenge — launch of U magazine, a Russian multi-platform project for those and about those who these days define development of fashion, art, design, beauty industry, science and business. The brand’s mission is to inspire readers and users to find their own unique style and ways of self-expression, to enrich their inner world with new impressions and ideas.

Veronika Voldayeva. Author and compiler of the Decorative and Applied Art section of the collection of valuable items of the Russian State Depository for Precious Metals and Gems, cultural values expert of the Federal Service for the Oversight of Mass Media, Telecommunications, and Protection of Cultural Heritage (Rosokhrankultura) of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.

Sergei Kuchis is a master jeweller, whose works are featured in multiple private collections and museums, including the Moscow Kremlin Museums Fund for Contemporary Art.  Since 2016 he has been working as a master jeweler at the Moscow State Stroganov Academy of Design and Applied Arts at the art metal department. Participant of “Russian Diamonds – XX Century” project. Sergei works as jewellery process manager at “Liza Borzaya” company.

Maria Selivestrova. Owner of Bahmetev Crystal Plant (OOO Bahmetev Plant) in Nilolsk of Penza Region and Bahmetev1764 company (OOO Bahmetev1764) in Moscow.

Alexander Laut. Alexander Laut was born in Moscow in a family of intellectuals. During the early Perestroika era he left Russia to emigrate to the remote and romantic Hawaii islands, where he tried many different professions and worked as a journalist, photographer and artist, he took an interest in jewellery design and gemology.

The turning point in Alexander’s life was his meeting and subsequent friendship with Ronald Winston, the son and heir of the great Harry Winston diamond enterprise. This extraordinary man looked at Alexander’s designs and a few jewellery pieces and inspired Alexander’s first jewelry brand collection.

Alexander Laut has his own unique jewellery niche and stays true to himself. He focuses exclusively on rare natural collectible stones, primarily corundums. All major jewellery pieces by the Alexander Laut brand are designed around a large central stone, dictating color and mood, and the rest just amplifies a centerpiece. His jewellery is manufactured by Japanese jewelers known for their attention to quality and detail.

The Alexander Laut brand enjoys success in the USA, being a resident in prestigious Neiman Marcus jewellery shops in more than 18 states, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE and other boutiques. Alexander’s first shop in Europe was opened in the center of Lisboa, in Lара Palace, a romantic and exquisite hotel, where Alexander spends a lot of time. The designer confides that the secret to his success is based on his ability to build long-term customer trust, and Alexander has many art connoisseurs who became his friends in many countries across the world. A few jewellery pieces by Alexander Laut have been sold through such major global auctions as Bonhams, Sotheby’s and Phillips.

Press Award

Alexander Rymkevich (Bon Mot). Men’s fashion expert, founder of Bon Mot Telegram channel. Former editor-in-chief of Robb Report and The Rake publications for men. Ambassador for Homo Faber exhibition of modern crafts.

Nina Spiridonova. RBC Style journalist with over 20 years in the field of watches and jewellery art. Editorial director for “RBC Watches and Jewellery” publication. She contributed to L’Officiel, Robb Report, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Kommersant, Aeroflot Premium, Prime Traveller, The Blueprint online magazine.

Julia Savelieva. Editor of “How to Spend”, a Vedomosti newspaper supplement, and editorial director of "Jewellery" annual catalogue. Having graduated from the MSU Arts History Department twenty years ago, she went into fashion and beauty journalism and specializes in jewellery and watch areas: Julia writes for various publications, develops communications strategies for jewellery brands, delivers expert lectures and runs Instagram and Telegram Watch&Jewel channels.

Yekaterina Borisova. Journalist, editor, jewellery and watch art expert. She headed Departures, Elle Deluxe, Psychologies Luxe magazines. Yekaterina contributes to Elle and Kommersant.

Alexander Shchurenkov. Artist and journalist with more than 12 years of experience, founder of ArtFragment Telegram channel, publishing all major art world news. The first Russian artist, selected for an art exhibition at Antony Gormley’s artistic residency in the Great Britain. A solo exhibition by Shchurenkov in the USA was listed by ArtNews, a major global publication, as one of the nine most important events in New York. Co-author of “How to stop being intimidated by contemporary art” bestselling book and Kommersant Art Editor-in-Chief.

Competition curator

Anna Minakova. Jewellery and watch expert. Copywriting, corporate educational programs, lectures and special events for customers of leading jewellery and watch brands such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari, Chopard, Tiffany & Co., IWC, Parmigiani, Audemars Piguet etc.

Creative Director, Development Director at Epic Jewellery. Radio show host, personal radio show at Kommersant FM. Author and Head of “Kommersant Initiatives” Award. Editor-In-Chief (with Alexander Shurenkov) for “Initiatives” and “Art” supplements to “Kommersant” newspaper.

Author of jewellery and watch art books, including books for a number of leading European jewellery and watch brands.