JNA Awards 2013 Honours Jewellery Industry Pioneers as Recipients
HONG KONG, Sept. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.
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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 Gubelin, 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 Jime Essink and Senior Vice-President Wolfram Diener.
For more information regarding the JNA Awards 2013, visit www.jnawards.com.
Notes for Editors:
1. About JNA
JNA is the flagship magazine of UBM Asia's Jewellery Group. First published in 1983, the title is the leader in providing up-to-date international jewellery trade news with an Asian insight. It features original, in-depth reports by experienced journalists covering the latest developments in the diamond, pearl, gemstone and jewellery-making equipment, and supplies sectors.
2. About the Headline Partners
2.1 Rio Tinto Diamonds (www.riotintodiamonds.com)
Rio Tinto operates a fully integrated diamonds business from exploration through to sales and marketing. It is one of the world's major diamond producers through its 100 percent control of the Argyle mine in Australia, 60 percent of the Diavik mine in Canada, 78 percent interest in the Murowa mine in Zimbabwe and 100 percent interest in the Bunder project in India.
Rio Tinto's share of the production from its three operating diamond mines is sold through its sales and marketing office in Antwerp, with representative offices in Mumbai, Hong Kong and New York. It also operates a niche cutting and polishing factory in Perth for the rare pink diamonds from its Argyle mine. Rio Tinto is a leading supporter of the Kimberley Process, as well as a founding member of Responsible Jewellery Council.
2.2 Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (www.chowtaifook.com)
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited, a leading jeweller in the Mainland of China, Hong Kong and Macau, was listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in December 2011 and has become the world's largest pure-play jeweller by market capitalisation. Chow Tai Fook is now a constituent stock of the Hang Seng China 50 Index and the Hang Seng Mainland 100 Index. Its principal products are mass luxury jewellery and high-end luxury jewellery products including gemset jewellery, gold product, and platinum and karat gold product, and watch.
The Group's iconic brand "Chow Tai Fook" and long-standing history of over 80 years of operations represent key competitive advantages of its business. The Chow Tai Fook brand is recognised for its trustworthiness and authenticity, and renowned for its product design, quality and value.
The Group has an extensive retail network, with over 1,850 points of sale in more than 400 cities in Greater China, Singapore and Malaysia. It also has a growing presence in e-commerce. The Group¡¦s vertically integrated business model provides an effective and tight control over the entire operation chain from raw material procurement, design, production, to marketing and sales through its extensive retail network.
3. About the Honoured Partners
3.1 Gubelin
Since 1854 the name Gubelin has stood for the very highest standards in jewellery, watches and gemstones. With its selection of elegant timekeepers, fine jewellery and jewellery collections of its own design the family-run business is represented at all the prime locations in Switzerland: Lucerne, Zurich, Basel, Bern, St. Moritz, Lugano and Geneva. Raphael and his sister Sara Gubelin head the Gubelin Holding, now in its sixth generation. Besides the jewellery stores of Gubelin AG and the Gubelin Ateliers AG the group also includes Gubelin Gem Lab Ltd., a scientific gemstone laboratory recognised worldwide.
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 "Pearl Emperor of Tahiti."
3.5 Shanghai Diamond Exchange (www.cnsde.com)
Authorized by the State Council, the Shanghai Diamond Exchange is the only diamond exchange in China, which enjoys favorable taxation policy and is operated in accordance with the international practice of diamond industry. It provides diamond dealers a fair and safe transaction venue with closed management.
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 presence in 25 major cities with 30 offices and over 1,400 staff.
With a track record spanning over 30 years, UBM Asia operates in 21 market sectors with 160 dynamic face-to-face exhibitions, 75 high-level professional conferences, 28 targeted trade publications, 18 round-the-clock vertical portals and virtual event services for over 1,000,000 quality exhibitors, visitors, conference delegates, advertisers and subscribers from all over the world. We provide a one-stop diversified global service for high-value business matching, quality market news and online trading networks.
UBM Asia has extensive office networks in China, Southeast Asia and India, three of the world's fastest growing B2B events markets. UBM China has 11 offices in the major cities in mainland China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu and Shenzhen, where we organise more than 60 exhibitions and conferences. In ASEAN, UBM Asia operates from its offices in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines with over 50 events in this region. UBM India teams in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad organise 20 exhibitions and 60 conferences every year across the country.
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 is UBM plc's awards organiser and producer. Based in London, UBM Awards specialises in end-to-end delivery of cross-sector awards programmes and bespoke events worldwide. UBM Awards 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
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