Monthly JALAF Challenge

Every month at our general membership meeting we have a friendly competition based on criteria set up early in the year so everyone knows what is coming up and can prepare for the competition. There are 2 opportunities to win with every entry - the popular vote, and the masters vote. Each person at the meeting is encouraged to vote on the piece they feel shows the best workmanship, design and creativity, and the piece that has the most votes wins the popular vote. The master vote is awarded by our JALAF master, who was chosen to judge based on many years of experience and knowledge in the categories presented.

There are two levels in each category: Beginner & Experienced.
Participants will remain beginners for one year from the month in which they enter their first piece in each category. At the end of one year the participant will be considered experienced in the categories they have entered. The JALAF master will attempt to keep records, but we will operate on an honor system as well.

Categories: Cabochons, Jewelry, Fossils, Carvings, Specimens, Facet

The Criteria for entering the competition is:
Specimens and Fossils: YOU must have found OR worked an otherwise acquired specimen.
Cabochons, Carvings and Facets: YOU must have created the piece yourself.
Jewelry: YOU must have created the setting OR worked the stone.

We want to share and learn from the knowledge you acquired while finding, working or setting the piece, so please come prepared to tell us what you know (don’t worry if you don’t know what you have, hopefully someone can tell you)! The JALAF is open to Members, Juniors and Visitors.

We REALLY WANT and STRONGLY encourage ALL to bring pieces, even if they are not eligible for entry because they do not meet the criteria or have previously won a feather. These pieces will be entered as display only, and will not be part of that month’s competition. PLEASE share your expertise and adventures with the rest of us.

Here is hoping everyone will compete and have fun!