Gdańsk Jewellery Week 2026: Bursztynowe Rzemiosło at the Amber Museum

On October 2 at 6:30 p.m., the Amber Museum in Gdańsk will host the opening of an exhibition presenting works submitted to the 23rd edition of the Karol Kowalski National Competition for Goldsmiths and Jewelers “Bursztynowe Rzemiosło” (Amber Craft).

The theme of this year's competition was “Uroki i energia bursztynu w biżuterii” (The Charm and Energy of Amber in Jewelry). The competition has two age categories: juniors, young goldsmiths up to 22 years old who are studying or starting out in the profession, and seniors, meaning practicing goldsmiths or amber artisans with confirmed professional qualifications (a journeyman's certificate or a master's diploma).

Kropla Bałtyku

First place in the senior category went to Grzegorz Tryjefaczka. The jury awarded his piece “Kropla Bałtyku” (Drop of the Baltic) for its mastery of execution, his original approach to amber and full control over the entire creative process: from the design, through the setting, to cutting and polishing the stones himself. Grzegorz Tryjefaczka's work is a consistent dialogue between craft and individual sensibility. It proves that tradition can be the starting point for a modern, bold story about amber and gemstones.

Królowa gdańskich spojrzeń

The junior category was won by Julia Gorgol, a student at the Jacek Malczewski State High School of Fine Arts in Częstochowa. The winning piece, “Królowa gdańskich spojrzeń” (Queen of Gdańsk Glances), was made in a jewelry workshop under the guidance of Radosław Wójcik and Paweł Krzyszkowski. Julia Gorgol's work draws attention not only as a piece of jewelry but also as a full-size form, between jewelry and costume.

Puls bałtyckiej głębi

Second place in the senior category went to Krzysztof Konrad Bondaruk for “Puls bałtyckiej głębi” (Pulse of the Baltic Deep). The artist, connected with Gdańsk, now lives and works in Podlasie. In his work he draws on accumulated experience to create original jewelry. He seeks to combine diverse materials in unexpected ways, making use of their natural irregularity. He uses old jewelry techniques taken from the craft of the most outstanding Art Nouveau artists. He joins them into one small whole, capturing fleeting moments inspired by the constant processes at work in nature.

Góra Uluru i magnetyczne oko

In the junior category, second place went to Gabriela Roślik for “Przebudzenie” (Awakening), and third place to Emilia Katka for “Światowa stolica bursztynu” (World Amber Capital). Katka also received two honorable mentions for other pieces, including “Góra Uluru” (Mount Uluru). Honorable mentions also went to Lena Klarma for “Dance with the wind” and to Karolina Siwiak for “Magnetyczne oko” (Magnetic Eye).

Uroboros: koniec oznacza początek

Bohdan Hołub took third place in the senior category. With his wife Jadwiga, he runs the company Ambalt. Over the years they moved away from mass-produced jewelry to create large artistic forms. Their passion is display pieces: sculptures and functional objects made entirely by hand from Baltic amber and silver, depicting the world of fauna and flora. In this year's edition of the competition, Bohdan Hołub was honored by the jury for “Uroboros – koniec oznacza początek” (Ouroboros: The End Means a Beginning), which fits this year's theme perfectly.

Professional goldsmiths and young apprentices

The aim of the competition is to showcase the professional skills of goldsmiths and young goldsmithing apprentices who specialize in traditional and modern techniques. The competition supports vocational education, encourages the improvement of craftsmanship and promotes original design that meets individual needs. At the same time, it is an important platform for promoting jewelry and goldsmith products made with “Baltic gold”: amber.

The organizers of the 23rd Karol Kowalski National Competition for Goldsmiths and Jewelers “Bursztynowe Rzemiosło” are the Goldsmiths and Jewelers Industry Commission of the Pomeranian Chamber of Crafts of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Międzynarodowe Targi Gdańskie S.A. (Gdańsk International Fair Co.).

Patronage was granted by: the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, the Ombudsman for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Pomeranian Voivode Beata Rutkiewicz, Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship Mieczysław Struk, the Museum of Gdańsk and the Polish Craft Association.

More information:
www.pomorskaizba.pl/uroczysta-gala-23-edycji-ogolnopolskiego-konkursu-zlotnikow-i-jubilerow-bursztynowe-rzemioslo-im-karola-kowalskiego/

Photos: Pomeranian Chamber of Crafts of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.

Gdańsk Jewellery Week 2026: Bursztynowe Rzemiosło exhibition
Exhibition opening: October 2, 6:30 p.m., free admission
Amber Museum, Wielkie Młyny 16, Gdańsk