International Silver Accessories Contest

Objective:

It has been 5000 years since Silver appeared in human history. A great number of people within that time have placed their value and happiness in the special attributes of Silver. The Silver Accessories Contest has been held since 1999 for Art Clay instructors, and was opened to general artists in 2002 so that contestants could present to the world their limitless ideas regarding the joy of creativity when working and creating with Art Clay Silver.

Theme of the 19th contest:

The contest theme of the 19th International Silver Accessories Contest is 'FUTURE'. We are celebrating the 19th contest, and have counted a total of about 7500 submissions in the past 18 competitions. These contest entries represent a bridge of creativity linking artists and visitors as one. Your entries will help all people appreciate that Art Clay Silver can be used by everyone. We are expecting that this year’s entries will once again capture the unique expressions of contestants around the world.

The Contest Schedule:

1. ENTRY/SUBMISSION

Check the official guidelines here https://www.artclay.co.jp/htm/contest/sac/apply.shtml

※For submission deadline in your area, please check your local Art Clay official distributor's announcement.

2. FIRST SCREENING

Date: OCT. 8th (Wed), 2025

Only submissions which pass the first screening will be introduced in the contest booklet, and will be displayed at the contest exhibition.

3. FINAL JUDGING

Date: OCT. 9th (Thu), 2025

Award winners will be selected from the nominees of the first screening. The results will be announced to the representative distributor promptly after the final judgement.

4. Exhibition

Date: JAN. 7th (Wed) – JAN. 12th (Mon), 2026

The exhibition is JAN. 7th (Wed) – JAN. 12th (Mon), 2026. The venue is Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre. The award ceremony date is not fixed yet, but will anonounce asap.

Award:

Award	Prize
Award of Minister at the Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Grand Prix)	500,000JPY
Award of Encouragement from Foundation of Global Life Learning Center (Semi-Grand Prix)	100,000JPY
Art Clay Club Chairman’s Award (Semi-Grand Prix)	100,000JPY
Award of Excellence: 5 winners(1 winner per category)	70,000JPY
Award of Judges’ Encouragement: 2 winners	50,000JPY
Award for Student	50,000JPY
Award from JJDA (Japan Jewellery Designers Association)	50,000JPY
Award from LaVague Jewellery School	30,000JPY
Award from Japan Jewelry Craft School	20,000JPY
Award from Boutique-sha, Inc. (Publisher)	20,000JPY
Award from Endless Co., Ltd.	20,000JPY
Award from Yamato Logistics Co., Ltd.	20,000JPY
Award from Cosmotopia Japan Inc.	20,000JPY
Award from PRECIOSA	20,000JPY
Honorable Mention	TBD

Judge:

Mr. Minoru Miki Jewellery designer

Mr. Morihito Katsura Metalsmith ; A holder of the Intangible Culture Award (Living National Treasure of Japan)

Mr. Haruhito Nozawa Principal of Japan Jewelry Craft School

Mr. Oliver Pieper Master-Goldsmith, Jewellery Designer, Gemmologist

Ms. Etsuko Nakayama Silver Clay artist

Greeting:

Kuniaki Iwahashi
Executive Director of Art Clay Club Japan

We are so delighted to announce official release of the 19th International Silver Accessories Contest to be held in Jan. 2026. This contest will be 4th time since the event name has been re-named with international, and has been grown as one of the largest event with so many fantastic works submitted from all over the world. All artists can realize their imagination and spirit into a visible work with silver clay. That is the most beautiful and exciting thing. We cannot wait to see fabulous works and share a moment in the creative world through the contest and exhibition. We look forward to seeing your wonderful works in Tokyo.

Exhibition:

The exhibition is going to be JAN. 7th (Wed) – JAN. 12th (Mon), 2026. The venue is Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre in Tokyo. The place is really the center of Tokyo, in Japan. Good access if you happen to stay in Tokyo, the city is close to well known cities such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Address:1 Chome-8-1 Nishiikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo 171-0021

Access

*Photos from last contest.

Award ceremony:

The ceremony location will be announced as soon as ceremony details are finalized.

*Photos from last contest.

Grand Prix & Award Winning works from previous contest:

Below is Grand Prix works from previous Silver Accessories Contests. By clicking the image, you can jump to see all award winning works in each contest.