Indian Diamantaires Dominate JNA Awards' "Manufacturer of the Year -- Diamond Cutting & Polishing" Nominations

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• India - English

HONG KONG, Aug. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Four India-based diamond companies have been shortlisted for JNA Awards' "Manufacturer of the Year -- Diamond Cutting & Polishing" category. They are Dharmanandan Diamonds Pvt Ltd, J. B. And Brothers Pvt Ltd, Kiran Gems Pvt Ltd and Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd, according to JNA, organiser of the JNA Awards, the most prestigious awards event in the jewellery and gemstone industry. JNA Awards honours and recognises excellence and achievement in the global jewellery trade with an Asian focus.

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The Awards' second edition drew an impressive number of entries this year. "The calibre of entries we received this year is remarkable, especially for the 'Manufacturer of the Year -- Diamond Cutting & Polishing' category," said Letitia Chow, Founder of JNA and Chair of the JNA Awards 2013 judging panel. "India has a significant role in the global diamond trade and this is reflected in the top Honourees for this category. The four shortlisted companies are based in Mumbai and have manufacturing facilities in Surat, the world's biggest diamond cutting and polishing centre. We congratulate all four Honourees and look forward to seeing them in the awards ceremony and gala dinner in September."

Dr. D Purandeswari, Minister for State of Industry & Commerce - Government of India, commented, "I am given to understand that M/s Dharmanandan, J.B. And Brothers, Kiran Gems and Shree Ramkrishna Exports have been selected for JNA Awards as per the announcement made on 20 June 2013. I think that it is a great honour that the country's strength as a diamond manufacturing hub is being recognised through these awards. The relentless efforts of these Honourees have put India on the global diamond trade map and have helped the global gem and jewellery industry to realise its growth potentials.

"With these words, I congratulate the Honourees and hope that they will continue to show the same excellence in future to raise the profile and reinforce the country's leading position as a diamond centre so as to supply the world's growing demand for top quality diamonds," Dr. D Purandeswari added.

Piyush Patel, executive director of Dharmanandan Diamonds, commented: "Last year, we received the 'Employer of the Year' award at the inaugural JNA Awards. This new recognition means a lot to the entire Dharmanandan family. To be recognised as one of the world leaders in the diamond manufacturing sector by a prestigious judging panel inspires us to push the boundaries of excellence further and deliver unequalled quality service to our stakeholders."

Dharmanandan Diamonds operates a 275,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Surat. It produces approximately 500,000 carats of polished diamonds annually, ranging from 0.01 carat to 5 carats in D to M colours and IF to I3 clarities. It also produces a broad range of diamond jewellery.

Jitubhai Shah, founder of J. B. And Brothers, said: "JNA Awards promotes our company in the international level in both B2B trade and consumer media. It's a great honour to receive a prestigious international award that could enhance our brand value and increase customer confidence. We consider JNA Awards as a recognition of our group's work and commitment towards the industry. The award further motivates our team to achieve greater success in the business."

J. B. And Brothers has seven factories in Surat and is headquartered in the Bharat Diamond Bourse in Mumbai. The company supplies the global market with 0.20-carat to 15-carat round and fancy-shaped diamonds in all colours and clarities.

Dinesh Lakhani, director at Kiran Gems, reiterated the value of being recognised at the JNA Awards. "The JNA Awards helps create a benchmark for the industry in terms of production capabilities, marketing abilities, operational efficiencies, human resource management and corporate social responsibilities. The Awards gives extra dimension on how Kiran is perceived in the eyes of our customers and industry colleagues," Lakhani said.

Kiran markets and sells polished diamonds globally to over 1,500 customers through its offices in Mumbai, Belgium, China, Hong Kong, the UAE and the US. It operates 132 specialised production units in Surat and Ahmedabad. In 2011, the company processed over 5.7 million carats of rough diamonds. The company employs more than 31,000 people.

Shree Ramkrishna Exports Founder and Chairman Govind Dholakia said: "The JNA Awards is a global platform that nourishes innovations and encourages excellence in the gemstone and jewellery industry. Being recognised here ensures us that our group is indeed on the right track in providing quality diamonds to the world. This honour gives us an additional reason to celebrate our 50 glorious years in the industry this year."

Shree Ramkrishna Exports manufacturers more than 720,000 carats of rough diamonds annually, offering varieties between 0.30 carat and 20 carats in D to Z colours and in almost all clarities and shapes. The company maintains a manufacturing facility in Surat and affiliates across the US, mainland China and Hong Kong.

The JNA Awards judging panel is comprised 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 the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in India and the Middle East; and Vichian Veerasaksri, director of the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) and advisor to the Thai Gem & Jewelry Traders Association (TGJTA).

The Award Recipients and Honourees will be feted at an awards ceremony and gala dinner scheduled for 12 September at The Grand Hyatt, Hong Kong. The event will be held on the sidelines of the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, which will run from September 11 to 17. The awards ceremony and gala dinner is a ticketed event by application only. Interested parties may submit their request by logging on to www.JNAawards.com.

Notes for Editors:

1. About JNA

JNA, first published in 1983, is the flagship magazine of UBM Asia's Jewellery Group. The publication is a leader in providing the latest industry updates and in-depth reports, covering the international jewellery trade with an Asian insight. Following its success, the publication launched its online edition in June 2011.

2. About the Headline Partners

2.1 Rio Tinto Diamonds (www.riotintodiamonds.com)

As one of the largest producers of rough diamonds in the world, Rio Tinto Diamonds enjoys an important presence in the international diamond market through its 100 percent control of the Argyle mine, 60 percent of the Diavik mine, 78 percent interest in the Murowa mine and an advanced diamond project in India. Rio Tinto Diamonds' productions are sorted and prepared for sale at its sales and marketing headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium, supported by a network of representative offices in Hong Kong, Mumbai and New York. Rio Tinto Diamonds maintains an extensive industry intelligence network and a high level of customer and product support. The company also believes in supporting consumer confidence in diamonds and plays an active role in addressing key industry issues around product integrity and sustainable development. Rio Tinto Diamonds is a founding member of the Responsible Jewellery Council, the not-for-profit organisation established to reinforce consumer confidence in the jewellery industry.

2.2 Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (www.chowtaifook.com)

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (Chow Tai Fook), listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in 2011, is today's largest pure-play jeweller by market capitalisation in the world. With a heritage and long-standing reputation spanning more than 80 years, the iconic brand "Chow Tai Fook" is recognised for its trustworthiness and authenticity, and renowned for its product design, quality and value. Chow Tai Fook has an extensive retail network with over 1,850 points of sale in more than 400 cities in Greater China, Singapore and Malaysia, and a rapidly growing presence in e-commerce. Chow Tai Fook's fundamentals and growth dynamics are strong.

3. About the Honoured Partners

3.1 Gubelin

Since 1854, Gubelin has stood for the highest standards in jewellery and gemstones. With its wide range of selected gems and signature jewellery collections, the family-owned business has established its presence in Switzerland's premier locations including Lucerne, Zurich, Basel, Bern, Lugano, St. Moritz and Geneva. Gubelin runs its first boutique in Asia at the famous Starhill Gallery in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  At the head of the business, now in its sixth generation, stands Raphael Gubelin. Besides the jewellery retail stores and the Gubelin Ateliers, the corporate group also operates the Gubelin Gem Lab, a world-renowned scientific gemstone laboratory with its headquarters in Switzerland and an office in Hong Kong. As head of the company, Raphael Gubelin is continuing his father's business philosophy and nurturing the company's traditional values of genuineness, purity, exclusivity, quality and authenticity.

3.2 Israel Diamond Institute

The Israel Diamond Institute (IDI) Group of Companies is a non-profit, public interest company that represents all organisations and institutions involved in Israel's diamond industry. Israel is one of the world's leading diamond centres, and the Israeli diamond industry has an illustrious and impressive history dating back to the late 1930s. IDI works for the benefit of Israel's diamond industry. Its responsibilities include marketing and public relations, build-up of R&D capabilities, rough sources promotion, professional development and training, publication of professional literature and security consultancy. IDI is also responsible for industry participation in major trade fairs around the world, organising Israeli Diamond Pavilions, receptions, press conferences and other events at these fairs. IDI operates a representative office in Hong Kong, which fosters trade relations with Asian markets.

3.3 KARP Group (www.karpgroup.com)

With over four decades of experience and expertise in the diamond trade, KARP caters to international luxury brands. Apart from being a DTC Sightholder, the group is recognised as an "institution" in the industry, using the most technologically advanced manufacturing systems in the business. KARP manufactures a huge array of products, from 0.005-carat goods to stones weighing 10 carats and above. It excels in the production of certified fine makes, fancy-cut goods and fancy coloured diamonds. The manufacturer is one of the few companies that has achieved up to 5-micron precision in diamond manufacturing.

3.4 Robert Wan Tahiti

Based in Papeete, Tahiti, the Robert Wan Group is a global brand that focuses its activities around the culture of Tahitian pearls. The Group is represented in Europe, Hong Kong, Mainland China, Japan, the Middle East and Oceania. The brand represents the culmination of Robert Wan's vision to create timeless exquisite pearl jewellery, from elegant chokers and sautoirs of gem-quality pearls from his farms in South Marutea. One of the industry pioneers, Robert Wan is known as the "Emperor of Pearls."

3.5 Shanghai Diamond Exchange (www.cnsde.com)

The Shanghai Diamond Exchange is the only transaction platform authorised by the State Council for the import and export of diamonds in mainland China. It is a member of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses.

4. About UBM Asia

Owned by UBM plc listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia is Asia's leading exhibition organiser and the biggest commercial organiser in mainland China, India and Malaysia. Established with its headquarters in Hong Kong and subsidiary companies across Asia and in the US, UBM Asia has a strong global network of 30 offices and over 1,400 staff in 25 major cities. We operate in 21 market sectors with 160 exhibitions, 75 conferences, 28 trade publications, 18 vertical portals and virtual event services for over 1,000,000 quality exhibitors, visitors, conference delegates, advertisers and subscribers from all over the world.

5. About UBM plc

UBM plc is a global events-led marketing services and communications company.  We help businesses do business, bringing the world's buyers and sellers together at events and online, as well as producing and distributing news and specialist content.  Our 5,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organised into expert teams which serve commercial and professional communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.

6. About UBM Awards

UBM Awards and Partnerships is UBM plc's awards organiser and producer. Based in London, UBM Awards and Partnerships specialises in end-to-end delivery of cross-sector awards programmes and bespoke events worldwide. UBM Awards and Partnerships organises more than 30 awards and bespoke events annually including the UK's National Business Awards and National Sales Award.

For more information, contact:

JNA
UBM Asia (Hong Kong)
+852-2516-1630
[email protected]

SOURCE UBM Asia Ltd