Exciting platinum jewelry designers were last week honored during a high-profile awards ceremony.

The platinum-based Design Innovation Award is now in its fifth year and experts in the field believe that this year's entrants were more electrifying than ever.

World-renowned designer Stephen Webster observed: "Every design competition likes to say the standard of entries was high. Having judged three design awards this year, I can honestly say the standard of entries for the senior section of the Design Innovation Award was the highest I have seen certainly this year and probably for some considerable time beyond.

"Designers are not only extremely creative but the application towards the use of platinum is now fully understood," he added.

The judges handed out awards on the basis of a two-part system, which acknowledged both established and emerging designers.

In the established category, John Bradley, Georgio Gerakio, Jig Pattni, Tom Ruckner and Mark Veevers were all recognised by the esteemed panel of judges. Yvonne Barrett, Yu Lan Burkmar and Tiia Mannisto were all chosen as victors in the emerging designers category.

The popular event is sponsored by Lonmin, one of the largest primary producers of platinum in the world, and the Emerging Designers category was this year supported by International Jewellery London.

In order to have their jewelry considered for recognition, designers are initially asked to submit preliminary drawings. If an illustration is deemed promising, the relevant designer is then asked to produce his or her piece, allowing the judges to see the finished articles.

Albert Jamieson, Lonmin's executive vice president of marketing, said: "Creating incentives for emerging and established designers to push the boundaries in platinum jewelry are what this competition is all about. We are delighted by the sustained interest and how both the quantity and quality of entries increases year on year."