Jewelry

Atlantia A&S Criteria

Jewelry comes in a wide variety of types and styles, depending on the time period and country of origin. Technically simple pieces can have elaborate designs. Technically complex pieces can have simple designs. Take all elements and areas into consideration when judging. A piece should not be counted down merely because of simple design.

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DOCUMENTATION (0-30 points. SCORE 0-10 then MULTIPLY BY 3):

Must have at least “EZ Doc” information. More is acceptable, although one or two pages (not counting visuals and bibliography) should be more than enough. If your documentation is more than three pages for exceptionally detailed and in-depth work, you should provide an executive summary. The best documentation will cover what they did in period, what the creator did in the project, and why the difference (if any). It will explain any conscious compromises made, and provide footnotes, illustrations, and references, as well as any original research or experimentation as it applies to the project. Give score based on the following considerations:

  • A minimum of: what it is, where is it from, when is it from, and references;
  • Materials used in the project;
  • Techniques and tools used during the process;
  • Research (country, period of origin, typical characteristics, etc), visual and descriptive references (books, portraits, etc.) from reliable sources;
  • Artistic design and appropriateness of choices for intended purpose.

AUTHENTICITY (0-20 points) [SCORE 0-10 and then DOUBLE THE SCORE]:

  • 0: Totally out of period and clearly modern;
  • 1-2: Entry is appropriate to time/place stated in documentation;
  • 3-4: Generally period with some obvious modern elements or mixture of elements from different cultures or periods (e.g., modern process producing results equivalent to period process);
  • 5-6: Overall period style and execution with minor inconsistencies, period materials or give period effect;
  • 7-8: Period methods, design and execution with no inconsistencies; period materials or reasonable equivalents;
  • 9-10: Special effort to achieve completely period product by use of period design, materials, tools, techniques, etc. (e.g., all hand-done with period techniques); special effort to make entirely authentic and appropriate. Completely period process without modern shortcuts.

COMPLEXITY (1-10 points):

Rank the ambition of the entry, not the workmanship, scale of 1-10 considering the following:

  • Complexity of the medium(s) being worked in (difficulties of materials used);
  • Number and variety of composition elements (layout, proportion, balance, color, etc.);
  • Intricacy of creating design in size/scale utilized in the entry (Remember that all sizes are difficult because in small scale it is difficult to get details and in large scale, any minor flaw shows noticeably.);
  • Number and variety of design elements (decorative motifs, figures, stones, spacers, different types of metals);
  • Difficulty and variety of techniques attempted (annealing, filing, sawing, pickling, piercing, soldering, casting, mounting, polishing, chasing, repousse, enameling, stone setting, carving, wire work, etc.);
  • Amount of time involved, including research and material preparation.

WORKMANSHIP (3-30 points. SCORE 1-10 then MULTIPLY BY 3):

Rank the quality of execution and success of the entry on a scale of 1-10, considering the following:

  • Attention to details, techniques, neatness and finishing touches;
  • Choice of materials/design combinations and appropriate application of design(s);
  • Effective use of materials, tools, and designs;
  • Durability of the item (able to survive wear/usage);
  • Ability of entry to serve intended function;
  • Mastery of period style, methods, and practices;
  • Personalization or special embellishment.

OVERALL IMPRESSION (1-10 points):

Evaluate the work as a whole, rating the complete effect and appeal beyond the mere technical proficiency. Consider how you react to the entry (intuitive response) and other items not previously addressed.