San Francisco—The American Jewelry Design Council (AJDC) is now accepting applications for its annual New Talent Contest, a competition being held with Jewelers of America (JA) that honors a designer for his or her originality, craftsmanship, innovation, marketability and cohesiveness.

The winner is awarded a booth in the New Designer Gallery at the JA New York Summer Show in New York City as well as media attention and professional support from AJDC members on how to take steps into larger markets.

To qualify for the award, applicants must be a designer or owner of a jewelry-manufacturing business, produce in the United States and never have exhibited at JA New York before.

All finalists' names are submitted to the JA selection committee for consideration as a candidate for the New Designer Gallery. Winners and finalists are honored at an awards ceremony during the show.

Deadline for submission is Jan. 15. To download an application or to gather more information, visit the AJDC's Web site, Ajdc.org.