JNA Awards 2014 Honourees Announced
HONG KONG, June 19, 2014 – JNA (Jewellery News Asia), the organiser of the prestigious JNA Awards, has announced the much-anticipated list of Honourees across 14 categories for its third edition. A total of 29 companies from 10 countries/regions have been shortlisted. The event is supported by Headline Partners Rio Tinto Diamonds and Chow Tai Fook, together with Honoured Partners Diarough Group, Gübelin Group, Israel Diamond Institute, KARP Group, Paspaley Pearling Company and Shanghai Diamond Exchange.
The judging panel consists of five industry experts, namely Nirupa Bhatt, Managing Director of GIA in India and the Middle East; Bill Boyajian, Founder and President of Bill Boyajian & Associates Inc and former President of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA); Albert Cheng, Managing Director of the World Gold Council – Far East (WGC); James Courage, Chief Executive Officer of Platinum Guild International (PGI); and Lin Qiang, President and Managing Director of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE).
Now in its third year, the awards event has grown in size and stature with 91 highly qualified entries from 20 countries and regions. Countries represented for the first time included Belgium, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Vietnam. Nominations were also fielded from Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, the Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, US and the United Arab Emirates.
A new category, Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – ASEAN, has been introduced this year to reflect the growing importance of this region in the jewellery and gemstone industry.
Letitia Chow, Chair of the JNA Awards 2014 Judging Panel, who is the Founder of JNA and Director of Business Development – Jewellery Group of UBM Asia, says, “The number of high quality entries this year is indeed impressive. It is evident that the JNA Awards has reached a new height in its aim to drive the industry forward by raising the standards and promoting excellence and best practices within the trade. Now in our third year, and with enthusiastic supports bestowed by the industry, we are further encouraged and feel strongly that the JNA Awards has served and will continue to serve its purposes.
“It is particularly gratifying this year to see an increasing number of outstanding entries in the categories for innovation. The continual dedication and unrelenting efforts of these companies in search for excellence and high standards led to innovative solutions to meet the needs and challenges envisaged by our industry. I would like to thank all entrants and congratulate all Honourees.”
WGC’s Albert Cheng, a member of the judging panel for the third year, comments, “I am impressed with the quality of the participants this year. Entries covered most of the Asian countries, particularly China and India. I am also happy to see an increase in the participation from Southeast Asia. The objective of the JNA Awards is to recognise successful enterprises and entrepreneurs, encourage healthy competition and stimulate growth in the jewellery industry. I have seen these happening from my involvement in judging in the last three years.”
James Courage from PGI joins in, “Being a judge of this prestigious awards has given me a privileged insight into the dynamic developments underway across the jewellery industry in Asia. Challenges are being met with innovation at various levels in the technical and marketing aspects. I am pleased to see that we have a large vibrant group of young entrepreneurs driving the industry forward.”
GIA’s Nirupa Bhatt adds, “Leaders and innovators are critical to the success of the global gems and jewellery industry and the JNA Awards is a platform to highlight them. We are delighted with the variety of entries received each year and we make sure that the judging process is meticulous and detail oriented. I wish all the Honourees the best!”
The following individuals and companies have been shortlisted as Honourees for the JNA Awards 2014:
Brand of the Year – Retail
– Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd
– Jewelmer Joaillerie
– Paspaley
Employer of the Year
– Hari Krishna Exports Pvt Ltd
– Kiran Gems Pvt Ltd
– Luk Fook Holdings (International) Ltd
– Pandora Production Co Ltd
Industry Innovation of the Year – Manufacturing – Business
– Frank Wu Design
– WCJ (Holdings) Co Ltd
Industry Innovation of the Year – Manufacturing – Technology
– China Stone Co Ltd
– Diamond Services Ltd
– Fukui Shell Nucleus Factory
– Shenzhen United BlueOcean Technology Development Co Ltd
Manufacturer of the Year – Diamond Cutting & Polishing
– Hari Krishna Exports Pvt Ltd
– Kiran Gems Pvt Ltd
– Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd
Manufacturer of the Year – Gem-Set Jewellery
– KGK Jewellery Mfg Ltd
– Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewelry Industrial Co Ltd
Manufacturer of the Year – Precious Metals-Only Jewellery
– Shenzhen Bofook Jewellery Co Ltd
– Shenzhen Ganlu Jewellery Co Ltd
Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – ASEAN Countries
– China Stone Co Ltd
– Jewelmer Joaillerie
– Pranda SCL Indonesia
– Tomei Consolidated Berhad
Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – India
– Hari Krishna Exports Pvt Ltd
– J. B. And Brothers Pvt Ltd
– Kiran Gems Pvt Ltd
Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – Mainland China
– KGK Diamonds (Shanghai) Ltd
– Shenzhen Ganlu Jewellery Co Ltd
– Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewelry Industrial Co Ltd
Retailer of the Year
– Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd
– Primo Japan Inc
– Tomei Consolidated Berhad
E-tailer of the Year
– Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd
– Leibish & Co
– Plukka
– Shanghai Wisdom Jewelry Trading Co Ltd (Zbird)
Sustainability Initiative of the Year
– Dharmanandan Diamonds Pvt Ltd
– Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewelry Industrial Co Ltd
– Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd
– WCJ (Holdings) Co Ltd
Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Age 40 and below):
– Shreyansh Kapoor – Kashi Jewellers
– Payal Shah – L’Dezen Jewellery Co Ltd
– Sit Kwan – Shenzhen Bofook Jewellery Co Ltd
– Huanjian Zheng – Shenzhen Ganlu Jewellery Co Ltd
The Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Outstanding Contribution of the Year Award will be nominated by the organiser, and the announcement will be made at a later date.
This year’s JNA Awards ceremony and gala dinner will be held on Tuesday, 16 September, at the InterContinental Hong Kong, during the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair. It is an industry-wide event that honours and recognises excellence and achievement in the global jewellery trade with a focus on contributions and achievements made in the Asian region. It is a ticketed event by application only. Interested parties can submit their request by logging on to www.JNAawards.com
For more information, please contact:
JNA Awards Marketing
UBM Asia (Hong Kong)
+852 2516-1630
[email protected]
