Charlotte Cornelius Design Award 2026
Submissions now closed
What Does Portsmouth Mean To You?
In participation with the Portsmouth 100 celebrations this year, we’re inviting you to get creative with us!
Open to all - this is your chance to design a piece of silver jewellery inspired by our island city in our competition “What Does Portsmouth Mean To Me?”
Click here to enter.
Check our 'How To Enter' and T&C's below! There are also hints and tips to get you started...
Perhaps it’s something deeply personal, honours an aspect of the city that inspires you, or simply a bit of fun! The Award Winner will have their design brought to life by our expert Designers and Goldsmiths, for you to keep and treasure for generations to come.
This is your chance to transform an idea into something tangible and lasting. Watching your concept evolve from sketch to jewellery is an incredibly special opportunity: your idea, brought to life through our skilled team of designers and artisans with traditional craftsmanship in our onsite workshop.
Marking a century of city status, we’re proud to be part of the stories, memories and meaning that make Portsmouth unique.
Celebrate Portsmouth with us!
Your design will be handmade in hallmarked Sterling silver and will not include gemstones.
How to Enter
- Entrants may submit up to three (3) separate designs.
- Entries must be submitted via this link (Google form)
- Attachments showing the design are to be submitted as a photo (JPEG or PNG) of a CAD or hand-drawn design and uploaded via the Google form.
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Please ensure your name is in the file name of any attachment uploaded.
- Your name must not appear on the front of the image of the design submission itself.
- Each entry to include a short story / overview of your idea (maximum 200 words).
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It is helpful to show evidence of your creative process and workings, demonstrating how the idea has developed.
- If it is not possible to enter via Google forms, please email your design to hello@charlottecornelius.co.uk with your name, phone number and a short story / overview of your idea (maximum 200 words). It is helpful to show evidence of your creative process and workings, demonstrating how the idea has developed.
- If it is not possible to enter digitally, please post or hand deliver your entry to our shop at Charlotte Cornelius Jewellery Design, 87A Marmion Road, Southsea, PO5 2AX. (Please include your name, phone number and a short story / overview of your idea, maximum 200 words. It is helpful to show evidence of your creative process and workings, demonstrating how the idea has developed).
Terms & Conditions
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Promoter
The competition is organised and promoted by Charlotte Cornelius Jewellery Design. -
Eligibility
The competition is open to all ages. Employees of Charlotte Cornelius Jewellery Design and their immediate families are not eligible to enter. -
The Brief
Entrants are invited to design a wearable piece of jewellery in response to the brief: “What does Portsmouth Mean To Me?” -
Design Requirements
Any materials/media can be used to create or illustrate your design. (i.e pencil, crayon, paints, collage, fabric, pastels, iPad, paper, recycled materials. The list is endless.) Please show your rough workings, notes and inspiration.
- Designs must be original and must not copy or replicate existing jewellery designs.
- No AI to be used in concept creation.
- The winning piece will be crafted in silver only and will not include gemstones.
- Charlotte Cornelius Jewellery Design reserves the right to advise on the wearability and practicality of the winning design and may adapt the design where necessary to ensure structural integrity and suitability for manufacture.
- Deadline for submission: May 29th 2026
5. Judging & Outcome
All eligible entries will be reviewed by Charlotte Cornelius Jewellery Design. Designs will be assessed on creativity, originality, response to the brief, and suitability for wear and manufacture.
6. A shortlist of five (5) designs will be selected by the judging panel. The judges’ decision in relation to the shortlist is final.
7. The five (5) shortlisted designs will then proceed to a public vote, which will be hosted and administered via Google forms.
8. Members of the public will be invited to cast their vote during the stated voting period. The design receiving the highest number of valid votes at the close of voting will be declared the winner.
9. Charlotte Cornelius Jewellery Design reserves the right to monitor, verify and, where necessary, disqualify votes that are incomplete, fraudulent, automated, or otherwise in breach of these Terms & Conditions.
10. In the event of a tie, Charlotte Cornelius Jewellery Design reserves the right to make the final decision.
11. You are giving permission for your design to be shared on social media, other marketing and on public display. There will be an exhibition of all entries at the presentation event.
12. The Prize
The winning designer will receive the Charlotte Cornelius Design Award 2026 and their piece will be made by Charlotte Cornelius Jewellery Design’s expert goldsmiths in sterling silver. No cash alternative is available.
13. Intellectual Property
By entering the competition, entrants confirm that the work submitted is their own original design. Charlotte Cornelius Jewellery Design reserves the right to feature submitted designs for promotional purposes in connection with the competition, with credit given to the designer. The design may be replicated for sale by Charlotte Cornelius Ltd.
14. General
Charlotte Cornelius Jewellery Design reserves the right to amend or withdraw the competition at any time if circumstances beyond its control make this unavoidable.
15. We will collect your name, email address and phone number in order to contact you about your entry, give updates and you are giving permission to be added to our newsletter list (which can be unsubscribed from at any point).
Jewellery Design Tips
Don't know where to start?
Starting can be the hardest part so we are here to help with a few tips from our designers to get you going…
What if I haven't done anything like this before?
There’s no right or wrong about how you go about it! Charlotte likes to start by noting down some words that resonate with the theme or title of the piece, anything that comes into her imagination however crazy it might be! Then she will start doodling to translate these ideas into pictures.
How do I develop my ideas ?
You could create a mood board using magazines, photos, found objects, fabrics and textures. You could go straight to pencil on a paper, felt tip pens or sketching on your tablet.
These initial ideas don't need to translate into jewellery design at this stage, it’s more about the concept being original and personal. Or you may already have a specific piece of jewellery in mind.
What type of jewellery could I design?
- Necklace
- Pendant
- Ring
- Brooch
- Earrings
- Bracelet
- Cufflinks
- Belt buckle
- Lapel pin
- Hair piece
(or maybe you will come up with a unique way of wearing your design!)
As you get nearer your final design you can start to think about:
- Size
- Dimensions
- Weight
- Style of fastenings
- Will your piece be flat or raised?
Think about Textures and finishes such as:
- Polished
- Matt
- Hammered
- Engraved
You can then add notes and dimensions to your design, or supply a more technical drawing with details attached. You may also wish to include a fully coloured or painted piece which could show the piece being worn.
Any more questions? Just let us know!
From Charlotte:
“We wish you an exciting design journey and can’t wait to see your ideas! We are so grateful to live and work in such a fantastic community and to celebrate our city’s centenary. We are delighted to share this opportunity with locals of every age and background to spark creativity and tell your own story of what Portsmouth means to you”.
Key dates:
- Deadline for submissions 29.5.26
- Shortlist announced 19.6.26
- Public vote starts 19.6.26
- Public vote closes 3.7.26
- Award Winner announced 10.7.26
- Jewellery piece completed and presentation event Sept 2026
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