From state-of-the-art jewellery to your favorite celebs, here's what went down at PlatAfrica2019

The 20th annual PlatAfrica Platinum Jewellery Awards were hosted on the 23rd of October at the Polo Room in Sandton.

The event, hosted by Anglo America Platinum in partnership with Metal Concentrators and Platinum Guild International, not only celebrates the craftsmanship behind platinum jewellery, but also showcases the wealth of talent that South Africa has in performing arts, fashion design and entertainment.

Alongside the jewellery that made it to the finals of the PlatAfrica competition, singer Lira, the Joburg City Ballet, former Miss. SA Jo-Ann Strauss and even the former Bachelor Lee Thompson graced the stage.

Here's the lowdown of everything that happened at PlatAfrica 2019:

Dancers from the Joburg City Ballet kept guests mesmerised during the pre-drinks of PlatAfrica 2019. Dressed in suits and gowns with carnival-inspired finishes, they took to the walls to create an immersive experience for guests as they arrived.

Guests were thrilled to see a familiar face as former Miss. South Africa and Top Billing host Jo-Ann Strauss took to the stage as the Master of Ceremonies for the 20th annual PlatAfrica Awards.

The formal event was opened by crowd favorite and local sensation Lira who was accompanied by the Joburg City Ballet on stage. Lira performed her hit single "Let There Be Light".

The PlatAfrica Awards have become renowned for the word-class fashion show that presents the finalists' jewellery pieces every year. You would think it would be difficult to showcase jewellery, but these models know exactly how to bring the bling to the runway.

This year, the former Bachelor SA Lee Thompson was also seen on the runway wearing a platinum broach that made it to the student/apprentice category finals.

The theme for this year's jewellery competition and awards were "Your Love has gone platinum - celebrate the milestones in this journey of love". According to the PlatAfrica team, love goes platinum when a relationship blossoms into a contemporary love based on mutual respect, commitment, equality and expressed in the multiple intimate moments of life.

Out of the 153 entries that were received, the judges selected 16 finalists across the professional and student/apprentice categories.

The Winners

In the professional catgeory, Esther Boshoff & her team from Beaudell Designs were the overall winner for this exquisite neckpiece below containing platinum, diamonds in a pavé setting, and four 9ct yellow gold chains.

Mfundo Nondyola from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology was the overall winner in the student/apprentice category for this stylish neckpiece of platinum, leather, fine silver and sterling silver below.

Safe to say, your love might just go platinum after seeing what this precious metal is capable of. Although platinum is much harder to work with than silver and gold, its much more durable in the long run.

If you're a professional or student jeweller who's up for the challenge, keep an eye out for PlatAfrica 2020 and take a chance on platinum by entering your platinum piece into the annual competition.

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