Hong Kong: Jewellery News Asia (JNA), the organizer of the prestigious JNA Awards has announced the list of Honourees or finalists across 10 categories at a press conference held on the sidelines of the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair.

The JNA Awards, now in its fifth year, is a premier awards programme that recognises and celebrates excellence and achievement in the jewellery and gemstone industry, with a focus on the advancement of the trade in Asia.

This year, 39 Honourees representing 28 companies from 10 countries and regions, namely Mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam, were selected. A third of these finalists were either first-time entrants or Honourees.

Wolfram Diener, Senior Vice President of UBM Asia, said, “This year marks the fifth anniversary of the JNA Awards, and we are extremely proud of what the event has achieved thus far in terms of creating awareness and promoting excellence in innovation, leadership and sustainable business models in the jewellery and gemstone industry.”

Letitia Chow, Founder of JNA, Director of Business Development – Jewellery Group at UBM Asia, and Chair of the JNA Awards judging panel, remarked, “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to members of the judging panel who, once again, dedicated their time and effort to come up with an outstanding list of shortlisted companies.”

“The Awards’ fifth edition saw the submission of more than 100 quality entries, and has reached more regions and companies than before,” Chow said.

“We have the strongest applications to date,” she continued. “It is encouraging and exciting to see new companies entering the Awards and being recognized for their achievements and advances in the jewellery and gemstone industry.”

The independent judging panel consists of five esteemed industry experts, namely Albert Cheng, Advisor to the World Gold Council, Far East (WGC); James Courage, former Chief Executive of Platinum Guild International (PGI) and former Chairman of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC); 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 Yasukazu Suwa, Chairman of Suwa & Son, Inc of Japan.

WGC’s Cheng said, “I am pleased to see much more quality entries from different parts of Asia, particularly from Mainland China. I had the opportunity to visit some of these companies and was pleasantly surprised by some of their achievements, despite the challenges they have faced in recent months. I witnessed some impressive changes in product development and technology improvements. The JNA Awards is a fantastic platform to showcase their accomplishments.”

“In the years of judging for the JNA Awards, it has been very positive to see the range of companies and countries increase significantly. There was strong representation from both large and smaller businesses this year, and a continuing emphasis on technical development, environmental responsibility and a focus on employee development and engagement. During a year that was challenging for many in the industry, there appeared little sign of slowing down in the drive for increased productivity and technical development,” Courage commented.

Courage is currently a consultant for the jewellery industry, having recently retired as Chief Executive of PGI and Chairman of RJC.

“Having reviewed all the application materials, I can say with confidence that the quality of the entries this year is exceptionally high. It is inspiring to read about the work they are doing and their stories give a tremendously encouraging view of the future of the jewellery industry,” noted Lin of SDE.

GIA’s Bhatt shared, “Being a judge for the JNA Awards has been a rewarding experience. The range of categories reflects the growth in the region and the enthusiasm of the trade to raise the industry’s benchmark. The organiser has kept the Awards relevant by refining the criteria and amending the categories. After spending close to 30 years in gems and jewellery, it is extremely satisfying to see the JNA Awards motivating organizations, individuals and promising talents alike. I am always, without fail, amazed by the passion and drive each entrant portrays.”

Suwa of Suwa & Son added, “The eagerness of the entrants to excel in business was clear and I was convinced of the existence of the Asian vitality while reading their stories. One factor I had to consider was the size of the companies, which ranged from sales of a few billion dollars to less than a million dollars.  As a judge, it was important to view their merits based on the quality of their policies and operations rather than quantity and size.”

The Honourees or shortlisted companies and individuals in the 10 award categories are:

Brand of the Year – Retail

• Beijing Cai Shi Kou Department Store Co Ltd – Mainland China
• DeGem Masterpiece Sdn Bhd – Malaysia
• Hiersun Industrial Co Ltd – Mainland China
• Pranda Jewelry Pcl – Thailand
• Shenzhen Sunfeel Jewelry Co Ltd – Mainland China
• SK Jewellery Pte Ltd – Singapore

Industry Innovation/Sustainability Initiative of the Year

• Beijing Cai Shi Kou Department Store Co Ltd – Mainland China
• Gubelin Gem Lab Ltd – Switzerland
• Shenzhen Batar Investment Holding Group Co Ltd – Mainland China
• Shenzhen Bofook Jewellery Co Ltd – Mainland China
• Shenzhen Foreway Jewellery Group Co Ltd – Mainland China
• Shenzhen Ganlu jewellery Co Ltd – Mainland China
• Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewelry Industrial Co Ltd – Mainland China
• Shenzhen Y&M Jewelry Co Ltd – Mainland China

Manufacturer of the Year – Cutting & Polishing

• Hari Krishna Exports Pvt Ltd – India
• Kiran Gems Pvt Ltd – India
• RMC Gems India Ltd – India
• Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd – India

Manufacturer of the Year – Jewellery

• KGK Jewellery Manufacturing Ltd – Hong Kong
• PANDORA Production Co Ltd – Thailand
• Shenzhen Batar Investment Holding Group Co Ltd – Mainland China

Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – ASEAN

• Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Co – Vietnam
• Soo Kee Group – Singapore

Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – India

• Kapu Gems – India
• Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd – India

Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – Greater China

• KGK Jewellery Manufacturing Ltd – Hong Kong
• KELA – Mainland China
• Shenzhen Bofook Jewellery Co Ltd – Mainland China
• Shenzhen Ideal Jewellery Co Ltd – Mainland China

Retailer of the Year (450 outlets and below)

• Beijing Cai Shi Kou Department Store Co Ltd – Mainland China
• Chii Lih Coral Co Ltd – Taiwan
• Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Co – Vietnam
• Shenzhen Ideal Jewellery Co Ltd – Mainland China
• SK Jewellery Pte Ltd – Singapore

E-tailer of the Year

• China Stone Co Ltd – Thailand
• Hattons (HK) Ltd – Hong Kong

Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Age 40 and below)

• Tsan Kwan Chau, Shenzhen Batar Investment Holding Group Co Ltd – Mainland China
• Karim Merchant, Pure Gold Jewellers LLC – United Arab Emirates
• Zhou Wang, Shenzhen Sunfeel Jewelry Co Ltd – Mainland China

The Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award will be nominated by the Awards organiser, and the announcement will be made at a later date.

This year’s Recipients, alongside the Honourees, will be feted at the JNA Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner, which will be held on Wednesday, 14 September, at the InterContinental Hong Kong during the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair.