Luxury group Kering has announced the second edition of its Kering Generation Award X Jewelry, expanding its global initiative aimed at accelerating sustainable innovation across the jewellery industry. The programme is organised in partnership with the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) and Politecnico di Milano’s POLI.design, following a successful first edition held alongside JCK Las Vegas in 2025.
This year’s theme, “Second Chance, First Choice,” focuses on reducing the environmental footprint of jewellery through new materials, technologies, and circular design approaches. Participants are encouraged to explore areas such as alternative and recycled materials, AI-driven design and production tools, low-impact packaging solutions, and retail technologies that improve efficiency and circularity.
The initiative brings together ten leading universities and academies with jewellery and sustainability programmes, alongside startups developing solutions across products, processes, and services. Students will be guided to create jewellery pieces using discarded or repurposed materials, while startups will present existing innovations aligned with the award’s sustainability goals.
Finalists will showcase their projects in Paris during Haute Couture Week in July 2026. Winners in the startup category will receive mentorship from POLI.design, while student winners will be offered internship opportunities with Kering’s jewellery maisons, including Boucheron, Pomellato, Dodo, and Qeelin.
By combining academic talent, emerging ventures, and industry expertise, the award aims to position sustainability not as a constraint, but as a driver of creativity and technological progress in jewellery. The programme reflects a growing push within the luxury sector to align craftsmanship, innovation, and environmental responsibility as core pillars of future design and production.