JNA Awards 2013 Honourees Revealed
HONG KONG, June 20, 2013 – JNA (Jewellery News Asia), main organiser of the second edition of the JNA Awards, proudly announced the Honourees across 13 categories of the JNA Awards 2013 at a press conference held on June 20, the first day of the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair. The industry’s most important mid-year B2B event, which ends on Sunday, is being held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
The judging panel consists of five industry experts namely Albert Cheng, Managing Director of the World Gold Council – Far East (WGC); James Courage, Chief Executive of Platinum Guild International (PGI); Lin Qiang, President and Managing Director of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE); Nirupa Bhatt, Managing Director of GIA in India and the Middle East; and Vichian Veerasaksri, Director of the World Jewellery Federation (CIBJO) and Advisor to the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association (TGJTA).
James Courage, Nirupa Bhatt and Vichian Veerasaksri were present at the media event.
This year, close to 90 highly qualified entries were received from 13 countries and regions, including China, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, the Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tahiti, Taiwan, Thailand, and United Arab Emirates.
“We are very proud to announce the JNA Awards 2013 Honourees. Our list of Honourees serves as a testament to the fact that Asia’s jewellery industry is full of thriving and innovative businesses and individuals with diverse talents. The quality of the entries has been outstanding, and it is an honour for UBM Asia to work closely with them to further develop the jewellery industry and market in Asia. We are delighted to extend our congratulations to them all,” says Wolfram Diener, Senior Vice President of UBM Asia.
Letitia Chow, Chair of the JNA Awards 2013 Judging Panel, who is the Founder of JNA and Director of Business Development – Jewellery Group of UBM Asia, adds, “The JNA Awards provides an invaluable platform to recognise and celebrate the outstanding performance and achievements of enterprises and individuals in the jewellery industry. Due to the exceptionally high quality of entries in 2013, the judges found the process to establish a short list of Honourees both exciting and challenging. It was certainly a lot of hard work for the five judges. I am really very grateful to them for their efforts and contributions.”
“We are delighted with the entries to the 2013 JNA Awards, a reflection of the global appeal of this important industry initiative. Rio Tinto congratulates this year’s Honourees, and we look forward to the Awards ceremony in September,” says Rita Maltez, Manager of the Greater China Representative Office, Diamonds Sales and Marketing, at Rio Tinto Diamonds.
Kent Wong, Managing Director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited, says, “Chow Tai Fook is proud to be a headline partner of the JNA Awards for the second year in a row. These awards highlight the importance of innovative designs, successful branding campaigns, sustainability, and international competitiveness. We believe the Awards will motivate Asian jewellery practitioners to adopt world class practices for the long term development of the jewellery industry. We’re happy to see the growing number of entries this year and commend the finalists for their achievements.”
Rio Tinto Diamonds and Chow Tai Fook are Headline Partners of the Awards for the second consecutive year.
WGC’s Albert Cheng, a member of the judging panel for the second year, says, “This year, we see more entrants and participants coming from different countries, bringing a more diverse background with them. Within each category, there is also an increase in the number of participants, which is very encouraging, particularly from China.”
PGI’s James Courage, who also served on the judging panel last year, adds, “It is good to see a mix of small and large enterprises joining the JNA Awards 2013, and they are in general of very high standard. Having more award categories this year also allows greater focus in new areas. I also noticed that there is a strong emphasis on social responsibilities and looking after employees’ interest among the entries.”
“It is very exciting for me to join the judging panel for the first time. The JNA Awards helps companies raise their standards and make continuous improvements. By organising the JNA Awards, UBM is helping industry participants realise this objective, and this is the only way to grow the industry,” comments GIA’s Nirupa Bhatt.
Vichian Veerasaksri of CIBJO adds, “This marks the first time that I have played a part in the JNA Awards, and I find it interesting and exciting to serve as a judge for such an important and prestigious event. I am looking forward to contributing to the JNA Awards in the years to come.”
The following individuals and companies have been shortlisted as Honourees for the JNA Awards 2013:
Brand of the Year – Retail:
– Jewelmer International Corporation
– Jewelmer International Corporation
– Luk Fook Holdings (International) Ltd
– PRIMO JAPAN Inc
Employer of the Year:
– Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co Ltd
– Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co Ltd
– Jewelmer International Corporation
– Luk Fook Holdings (International) Ltd
– Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd
Industry Innovation of the Year – Manufacturing – Business:
– China Stone Ltd
– China Stone Ltd
– Odear Fashion Technology
– Sun Sang Jewelry Co
Manufacturer of the Year – Coloured Gemstone Cutting & Polishing:
– China Stone Ltd
– China Stone Ltd
Manufacturer of the Year – Diamond Cutting and Polishing:
– Dharmanandan Diamonds Pvt Ltd
– J.B. And Brothers Pvt Ltd
– Kiran Gems Private Limited
– Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd
Manufacturer of the Year – Gem–set Jewellery:
– Shenzhen Ganlu Jewellery Co Ltd
– Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewellery Industrial Co Ltd
Manufacturer of the Year – Precious Metal Only Jewellery:
– 3D Kaiente Jewellery Company Limited
– Shenzhen Ganlu Jewellery Co Ltd
– Shenzhen United BlueOcean Technology Development Co Ltd
– Shenzhen Yuehao Jewelry Co Ltd
Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – India
– KASHI JEWELLERS
– Kiran Gems Private Limited
Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – Mainland China
– TTF High Jewellery
– Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewellery Industrial Co Ltd
Retailer of the Year:
– Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co Ltd
– Luk Fook Holdings (International) Ltd
E-tailer of the Year:
– Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co Ltd
– Leibish & Co Ltd
– Plukka (HK) Ltd
Sustainability Initiative of the Year:
– Dharmanandan Diamonds Pvt Ltd
– Pranda Group
– Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd
Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Age 40 or below):
– Raphael Gubelin – Gubelin Group Ltd
– Payal Shah – L’Dezen Jewellery Co Ltd
– Zhou Defeng – Shenzhen Yuehao Jewelry CO Ltd
Remark: Deliberations are still ongoing for a few remaining categories. The shortlisted Honourees in those categories will be announced in due course.
The JNA Awards is an industry-wide event that honours and recognises excellence and achievement in the global jewellery trade with an Asian focus. The Awards ceremony and gala dinner will be held on 12 September 2013 (Thursday) during the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, at The Grand Hyatt, Hong Kong.
The JNA Awards 2013 is a ticketed event by application only. Interested parties may submit their request by logging on to http://www.jnaawards.com/.
