Inaugural JNA Awards -- A Tremendous Success

HONG KONG, Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The awards recipients for the 10 categories of the inaugural JNA Awards were announced last week to an audience of over 450 guests from the international gemstone and jewellery industry at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong. Acclaimed by all present as a tremendous success, the JNA Awards is expected to become a not-to-be-missed event in the industry's calendar.

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Major players of the industry who attended included Nicky Oppenheimer, Former Chairman of the De Beers Group; Philippe Mellier, CEO of the De Beers Group, Varda Shine, CEO of the Diamond Trading Company; Kent Wong, Managing Director, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited; Bruce Cox, Managing Director Rio Tinto - Diamonds, Jean-Marc Lieberherr, Chief Commercial Officer - Diamonds, Rio Tinto Diamonds; Ramesh Virani, Managing Director, KARP Group; Robert Wan, Founder and Chairman, Robert Wan Tahiti; Lin Qiang, President and Managing Director, Shanghai Diamond Exchange; and Moti Ganz, Chairman, The Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI).

Key personalities also included John Botts, former chairman of UBM plc and Jime Essink, President & CEO, UBM Asia Ltd; Wolfram Diener, Senior Vice President, UBM Asia Ltd.

Recipients of the JNA Awards 2012:

-- Lifetime Achievement Award

Nicky Oppenheimer

Nicky Oppenheimer, former Chairman of the De Beers Group, is

awarded JNA's highest accolade for his outstanding contribution

to the world diamond industry over the course of a career that

spans 44 years. The third generation of the Oppenheimers to

lead De Beers, Nicky Oppenheimer has added his own,

distinguished contribution to a family legend that dates back

to 1902 when his grandfather, Sir Ernest Oppenheimer, arrived

in Kimberley to work as a diamond buying agent. Nicky

Oppenheimer presided over important changes in the history of

the De Beers Group. Under his leadership, De Beers opened up

new markets for diamond jewellery in China and India, and

established the De Beers' Best Practice Principles (BPPs), a

standard of ethical business behaviour that has set the

benchmark for other global industries.

-- 3 Decades of Excellence

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co Ltd

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co Ltd, the world's largest jewellery

retailer by market value, since its founding decades ago,

continues to raise the bar of excellence and creativity in the

gemstone and jewellery industry. Embracing the enduring

principles of "sincerity" and "eternity," Chow Tai Fook puts

integrity at the centre of its business operations. The Hong

Kong-listed company has an extensive retail network, with more

than 1,600 points-of-sale in Greater China, Malaysia and

Singapore.

-- Brand of the Year

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co Ltd

With its immense reach and presence in the Greater China market,

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co Ltd has always been viewed as a

trendsetter in the industry. Its unwavering commitment to

quality and service excellence has made it one of the most

iconic brands in Greater China.

-- Employer of the Year

Dharmanandan Diamonds Pvt Ltd

More than 30 years since its founding, Dharmanandan Diamonds

Pvt Ltd continues to demonstrate the same heartfelt passion

and commitment that it has for a business that celebrates

enduring love and romance. The diamond manufacturer has not

lost sight of the core corporate values upon which

Dharmanandan was built, and these are excellence in

innovation, manufacturing and talent management. By

connecting with its employees and keeping them engaged, the

India-based diamond manufacturer is able to clearly

communicate the group's vision and goals with its staff.

-- Industry Innovation of the Year - Manufacturing

TTF High Jewellery

Since its establishment in September 2002, Shenzhen-based TTF

High Jewellery has been consistently producing jewellery

pieces of outstanding design and craftsmanship. Its

collections are showcased internationally and have received

great acclaim across the industry. TTF has mastered many

high-level techniques in jewellery making, including K-gold

production, which gives gold lasting colour and shine. Known

for its "think-outside-the-box" approach to manufacturing and

marketing, TTF is always on the lookout for fresh, bold and

creative solutions to existing and novel challenges.

-- Industry Innovation of the Year - Retail

Plukka (HK) Ltd

Leveraging the power of social media and online marketing,

Plukka (HK) Ltd is changing the dynamics of jewellery trade

and manufacturing. Launched less than a year ago by partners

Jai Waney and Joanne Ooi, the Hong Kong-based e-Retailer is

bringing the concept of group buying to a larger audience.

-- Manufacturer of the Year

Pranda Group

Thailand-based Pranda Group prides itself on being a leading

supplier of high-quality jewellery to some of the world's

most recognisable retail brands, while offering its own

branded jewellery products. With a 4,000-strong workforce

in seven manufacturing facilities, Pranda Group is a force

to reckon with, producing more than 10,000 new designs and

over 8 million pieces annually.

-- Retailer of the Year

Luk Fook Holdings (International) Ltd

One of Hong Kong's most successful home-grown brands,

Lukfook is recognised globally for its achievements in the

jewellery industry. Operating more than 920 retail outlets

worldwide, more than 870 of which are in China, Lukfook uses

innovative technology to increase operational efficiency,

reduce costs and enhance the customer experience.

-- Sustainability Initiative of the Year

Jewelmer International Corporation

Renowned for its golden South Sea cultured pearls, Jewelmer

International Corporation champions sustainable development

in its operations and projects. Based in the Philippines,

it adopts the most ecologically friendly practices in its

pearl farms in Palawan. Jewelmer's Save Palawan Seas

Foundation also provides coastal communities with

livelihood alternatives to destructive fishing practices,

among others.

-- Young Leader of the Year (Age 30 or below)

Chris Benham (The Inspired Collection)

Chris Benham, co-founder of The Inspired Collection, has led

the New Zealand-based company into winning several domestic

and international jewellery design awards over a span of

just three years. Known for its fresh, innovative approach

to diamond jewellery design, The Inspired Collection has also

won major design contracts with highly respected companies,

including Hiersun, a retailer with more than 200 bridal

jewellery shops in China.

The following companies have been selected as honourees of the inaugural JNA Awards 2012, Wonder of the World category:

-- Vitalit, Thailand, two entries

-- Vivid Orange Natural Mandarin Garnet in finest cut cushion

shape or Natural Spessartite (-Garnet)

-- Pinkish Red Spinel of Pamir Mountains origin

-- Makhni Enterprises, Thailand, one entry

-- A pair of 8 carats rare unheated ruby

Letitia Chow, founder of JNA and director of Business Development - Jewellery Group at UBM Asia, and the Chair of the JNA Awards judging panel, said: "The success of the inaugural JNA Awards ceremony and gala dinner has been tremendous. I am proud to announce that we have achieved our main goal to provide the industry with a benchmark for excellence and achievement. I would like to thank you all that helped us to make it possible. We are looking forward to the same success at the JNA Awards 2013."

Kent Wong, Managing Director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited said: "When we signed the JNA Awards partnership agreement months ago, we knew that it would be a great success. Last night's event surpassed our expectations. It was of course an entertaining evening but was also an excellent opportunity for many key people of our industry to network. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Honourees and Recipients who brought excellence to the awards."

Jean-Marc Lieberherr, Chief Commercial Officer - Diamonds, Rio Tinto Diamonds said: "Rio Tinto congratulates the organisers of the inaugural JNA Awards which culminated in a wonderful event. We are extremely proud to be able to contribute to the development of innovation and new opportunities in this industry, particularly in the Chinese jewellery market. We congratulate all the honourees and recipients and look forward to a long association with this important event."

The entertainment for the evening started with a colourful and vibrant Bollywood performance by

Xin Wang Prestige. Later, there was a performance by world-renowned tenor Warren Mok accompanied by young American soprano Corinne Winters, which drew enthusiastic applause.

The JNA Awards 2012 featured Rio Tinto and Chow Tai Fook as Headline Partners, with Israel Diamond Institute, Shanghai Diamond Exchange, Robert Wan Tahiti and the KARP Group as Honoured Partners.

For more information regarding the JNA Awards 2012 please go to http://www.jnaawards.com.

About the JNA Awards

The JNA Awards is an industry-wide event that honours and recognises excellence and achievement in the jewellery trade. The inaugural Awards ceremony and gala dinner has been held on September 20, 2012, during the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong.

The event, the first of its kind in Asia was organised by Jewellery News Asia (http://www.jewellerynewsasia.com) of UBM Asia in collaboration with UBM Awards.

Jewellery News Asia, first published in 1983, is the flagship magazine of UBM Asia's (http://www.ubmasia.com) 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, http://www.jewellerynewsasia.com in June 2011.

Note for Editors:

1. About UBM Asia (http://www.ubmasia.com)

Owned by UBM plc listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia operates in 19 market sectors with headquarters in Hong Kong and subsidiary companies across Asia, including UBM China in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou and Beijing. We have over 240 products including trade fairs, conferences, trade publications, B2B/B2C portals and virtual event services. As Asia's leading exhibition organiser and the biggest commercial organiser in China, India and Malaysia, we stage the leading events of their kind across the region. Our 200 events, 24 publications and 16 vertical portals serve over 1,000,000 quality exhibitors, visitors, conference delegates, advertisers and subscribers from all over the world with high value face-to-face business-matching events, quality and instant market news and industry trends, and round-the-clock online trading networks and sourcing platforms. We have over 1,100 staff in 21 major cities across Asia, stretching from Japan to Turkey.

2. About UBM plc (http://www.ubm.com)

UBM plc is a leading global company. We inform markets and bring the world's buyers and sellers together at events, online, in print and provide them with the information they need to do business successfully. We focus on serving professional commercial communities, from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewellery traders, and from farmers to pharmacists around the world. Our 6,600 staff in more than 31 countries are organised into specialist teams that serve these communities, helping them to do business effectively and efficiently.

3. 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 National Business Awards, the Asian Awards and the National Sales Awards.

Please contact:

Jewellery News Asia

UBM Asia (Hong Kong)

+852-2516-1683

enquiries@jnaawards.com

Paul Pimlett, Events Director

UBM Awards (UK)

+44 (0) 20-7921-8090

paul.pimlett@ubm.com

SOURCE　UBM Asia Ltd