JNA Awards 2013 honours jewellery industry pioneers as recipients

HONG KONG, 12 September, 2013 – Leung Sik Wah and Wallace Chan led 16 recipients of the second annual JNA Awards at a ceremony and gala dinner on September 12, 2013 attended by almost 500 industry luminaries at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Hong Kong.

Organised by JNA (Jewellery News Asia), the JNA Awards honours the innovators and leaders of the jewellery trade, and is one of the industry’s most important and much-anticipated night.

Leung was honoured with the prestigious “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his distinguished service in transforming Hong Kong and Asia into a major jewellery trading and retailing hub. A recognized pillar of the industry, Leung was also instrumental in establishing the Hong Kong Diamond Bourse, and is currently Honorary Life President of the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong and Chairman of the Hong Kong Jewellers’ & Goldsmiths’ Association.

Chan was the first recipient of the “Outstanding Contribution of the Year Award”, recognising his unique talent and creativity, and for placing his works and Asia on the global haute joaillerie scene. Acclaimed industry-wide as a “carving genius”, Chan remains, to date, the only Asian artist to be invited to the prestigious Paris Biennale des Antiquaires show.

Other recipients of the JNA Awards 2013 are:

· Brand of the Year – Retail: Luk Fook Holdings (International) Ltd

· Employer of the Year: Jewelmer International Corporation and Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd

· E-Tailer of the Year: Plukka (HK) Ltd

· Industry Innovation of the Year – Manufacturing – Business: China Stone Ltd

· Industry Innovation of the Year – Manufacturing – Technology: Shenzhen United BlueOcean Technology Development Co Ltd

· Manufacturer of the Year – Coloured Gemstone Cutting & Polishing: China Stone Ltd

· Manufacturer of the Year – Diamond Cutting & Polishing: Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd

· Manufacturer of the Year – Gem-Set Jewellery: Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewellery Industrial Co Ltd

· Manufacturer of the Year – Precious Metals-Only Jewellery: 3D Kaiente Jewellery Co Ltd

· Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – India: Kiran Gems Pvt Ltd

· Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – Mainland China: ttf HAUTE JOAILLERIE

· Retailer of the Year: Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd

· Sustainability Initiative of the Year: Dharmanandan Diamonds Pvt Ltd and Pranda Group

· Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Age 40 and below): Zhou Defen, Shenzhen Yuehao Jewelry Co Ltd

“The JNA Awards 2013 continued to build off the success of last year’s inaugural edition. We remain true to our purpose of recognizing the companies and individuals who have contributed to the advancement of the industry in Asia and across the world. I am delighted that this year’s recipients reflect the qualities the JNA Awards stand for: excellence, innovation and success. Again, my warmest congratulations to all of the recipients and honourees,” said Letitia Chow, founder of JNA, Director of Business Development – Jewellery Group at UBM Asia and Chair of the JNA Awards judging panel.

Jean-Marc Lieberharr, Managing Director at Rio Tinto Diamonds, said: “Rio Tinto is extremely proud to partner with the JNA Awards, and we congratulate the organisers for holding an event of the highest calibre for the second year. Our partnership with JNA is founded on a common vision to support innovation and growth in the Asian jewellery industry. The Award honourees and recipients showcased through the 2013 Awards are a great example of what can happen when this vision is realized, and we congratulate them for striving for excellence.”

Kent Wong, Managing Director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited added: “The JNA Awards is a coveted accolade for outstanding innovators and industry practitioners who have strived to enhance the industry standard. We are honoured to receive the Retailer of the Year Award and we thank the judging panel for recognising Chow Tai Fook’s exceptional performance and leadership over the years.”

The JNA Awards 2013 featured Rio Tinto Diamonds and Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group as Headline Partners, with Gubelin, KARP Group, Robert Wan Tahiti, Shanghai Diamond Exchange and Israel Diamond Institute as Honoured Partners.

Major industry personalities attending the Awards included Kent Wong, Managing Director of Chow Tai Fook; Jean-Marc Lieberherr, Managing Director – Diamonds of Rio Tinto Diamonds, Raphael Gübelin, CEO of Gubelin Group; Ramesh Virani, Director of KARP Group; Robert Wan, Founder and Chairman of Robert Wan Tahiti; Lin Qiang, President and Managing Director of Shanghai Diamond Exchange; and Moti Ganz, Chairman of Israel Diamond Institute of Group of Companies.

Also in attendance were Yang Yi, Deputy Director-General and Head of Commerce, Office of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liason Office of the Central People’s Government in HKSAR; Wang Ping, Deputy Governor, People’s Government of Luohu District, Shenzhen; Gaddam Dharmendra, Consul-General of India, Hong Kong and Macau; and Sagi Karni, Consul-General of Israel, Hong Kong and Macau.

Representing UBM plc were Chariman of the Board Dame Helen Alexander and CEO David Levin. Also in attendance were UBM Asia CEO Jimé Essink and Senior Vice-President Wolfram Diener.

For more information regarding the JNA Awards 2013, visit www.jnawards.com.

JNA Awards 2013 honours jewellery industry pioneers as recipients

JNA Awards 2013 honours jewellery industry pioneers as recipients

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