The Cartier Award for Excellence is a national award that recognises exceptional craftsmanship and artistry in jewellery making and other related fields. Independent jewellers and artisans from around the world are invited to submit their work for consideration. Out of all the gold medal winners, only one piece is selected as the winner of Cartier excellence. This award has been presented for 65 years, but it has only been awarded 43 times, as it is only given if there is a clear winner that meets the highest standards of excellence.
Karen Wallace’s winning entry is particularly noteworthy because it is the only time that someone has won with an item that is not made from gold nor silver. It is also the only gun engraving or anything related to gunmaking that has ever won the award. Karen’s beautiful scrollwork on the Rigby bolt action rifle magazine floor plate impressed the judges with its exceptional quality and attention to detail.
Karen added: “I didn’t even know I was up for it until there and then – I wasn’t even paying attention! I genuinely had no idea it would even be considered – I am over the moon. I was shaking when my name was called out – I was just thinking ‘I don’t want to fall up the stairs!”
