The shortlisted applicants of the JNA Awards are referred to as Honourees. The chosen leading company or individual of a category among the “Honourees” is referred to as Recipient.
About Leung Sik Wah: A recognised pillar of the industry, Leung was instrumental in transforming Hong Kong and Asia into a major jewellery trading and retailing hub. He also led diamantaires in establishing the Hong Kong Diamond Bourse where he served as Chairman from 1985 to 1991. Leung is currently Honorary Life President of the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, where he advocated the Integrity Pledge Scheme – a programme promoting honesty, transparency and accountability in the sale of diamonds and diamond jewellery. He is also Chairman of the Hong Kong Jewellers’ & Goldsmiths’ Association and was actively involved in bringing South Sea and Tahitian pearl auctions in Hong Kong.
About Wallace Chan: Chan is a globally recognised artist, sculptor, jewellery design and master craftsman. His unique talent and creativity has placed his works and Asia on the global haute joaillerie scene. In the mid-1980s, he invented the “Wallace Cut” – a crystal-carving technique that includes elements of cameo, intaglio and gem-faceting. He is also a master of using titanium in jewellery-making following a lengthy research in titanium and metal alloy, casting and smelting techniques. 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.
About Jewelmer International Corporation: Established in 1979, Philippines-based Jewelmer International Corporation virtually created the golden South Sea pearl category and has become of one of the top three pearl producers in the world in value terms. They take pride as an environmentally-sustainable company by growing their pearls via ecologically friendly practices in its farms in Palawan. It has also grown its staff from only 150 in the 1980s to over 1,000 skilled individuals, some of whom are second-generation employees. Jewelmer over the years expanded into a fully integrated enterprise that embraces the entire supply chain, from pearl production and jewellery design and production to a dynamic wholesale and retail operation that positions Jewelmer Joaillerie as a luxury brand.
About Luk Fook Holdings (International) Ltd: Founded in 1991, Hong Kong-listed Luk Fook Holdings (International) Ltd has a retail network spanning Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, the US and Canada. The company engages in the sourcing, designing, wholesaling and retailing of gold and platinum jewellery, gem-set and natural jadeite jewellery, gold ornaments, gemstones and other accessory items. The group also provides a variety of services to its customers. Lukfook Jewellery’s retail outlets are equipped with gem-examination microscopes that allow buyers to inspect the goods prior to purchase. Its after-sales services include jewellery maintenance and laser-engraving. The retailer also offers complimentary gift cards, certificates of authentication for jadeite and diamond products, as well as a comprehensive checklist and product photo on sales invoices.
About Primo Japan Inc: Established in 1999, Tokyo-based Primo Japan Inc is one of the largest retail chain stores for bridal jewellery in Asia. It has 82 stores across Asia, including 59 I-PRIMO bridal ring speciality stores and 13 Lazare Diamond boutiques in Japan which specialises in high-quality diamond jewellery. Most of their products are made of platinum 900 and pink gold, but can also be customised in yellow and white gold.
About Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd: Founded in 1929, the iconic brand “Chow Tai Fook” of the Group has been widely recognised for its trustworthiness and authenticity, and renowned for product design, quality and value. The legacy of the Group and its iconic brand is rooted in innovation, craftsmanship and heritage. Chow Tai Fook has spread its presence in more than 500 cities across Greater China, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Japan and the US. Decades have passed and generations have come and gone; still, Chow Tai Fook, with its current roster of 30,000 employees, continues to stand the test of time.
About Luk Fook Holdings (International) Ltd Luk Fook Holdings (International) Ltd invests in its people and looks after their career and personal development within the Group. It provides comprehensive training programmes for various levels of experience and expertise. The Group also encourages and sponsors employees to participate in professional training programmes to help them further enhance their competence and expand their capacity through continuous learning.
About Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt Ltd: Shree Ramkrishna Exports’ emphasis on quality has earned the diamond manufacturer numerous awards and accolades, among them the prestigious distinction as a De Beers Sightholder. This Indian-based company is also a recognised Forevermark diamond manufacturer and exporter. At present, SRK is a leading manufacturer of polished goods weighing 3 carats or higher, thanks to the company’s superior craftsmanship and expertise in producing a consistent supply of quality polished diamonds in all shapes and sizes. Customer satisfaction and retention are important factors in SRK’s success, which is why maintaining long-term relationships with its existing clientele as well as its new customers has always been one of its main priorities through the years.
About Leibish & Co Ltd: Leibish & Co is a respected seller and expertise for more than three decades in natural coloured loose diamonds and own-design jewellery. Based in the Israel Diamond Exchange, Leibish & Co has offices around the globe such as New York and Hong Kong but using the Internet as the main platform for business transaction. The company has recently taken a large step forward in creating a tailored mobile application, which allows clients to search through its collections conveniently.
About Plukka (HK) Ltd: Plukka (HK) Ltd continues to challenge conventional jewellery retail by bringing finished designer jewellery to consumers using just-in-time manufacturing and social shopping. Established in 2011, this Hong Kong-based online retailer has introduced a business model that eliminates middlemen and delivers factory-direct pricing to consumers. By putting the manufacturing community closer to end-consumers, Plukka is able to offer highly-customised pieces and significantly lower prices to design-savvy customers. Plukka features a catalogue of more than 900 jewellery designs and conducts one flash sale per week featuring a single piece of jewellery. Through its website Plukka.com, it provides a platform for jewellery designers and manufacturers to showcase their collection to over 70,000 unique visitors a month.
About China Stone Ltd: China Stone Co Ltd is well known in the global jewellery and luxury watch industry as a trusted supplier that provides instant and consistent access to over 20 million melee-sized, natural coloured gemstones in a strictly uniformed and perfectly calibrated array of colours, proportions and sizes. In 1999, China Stone launched its first e-commerce website, becoming a pioneer in electronic retailing of loose gemstones. The company developed its own sophisticated e-commerce system to enhance customer experience. China Stone‘s believes that offering products and services that are customized according to their clients’ individual needs and preferences increase trust and strengthens brand loyalty. The company is constantly upgrading its technologies and systems to provide its customer fast, reliable and quality services.
About Odear Fashion Technology Co Ltd: Odear Fashion Technology Co Ltd designs, manufactures and sells jewellery packaging solutions that are custom-made for high-end jewellery retailers. Its product portfolio is comprised mainly of digital, electronic and creative jewellery packaging. The company claims to have developed and manufactured the world’s first LCD Jewelry Box that allows it record and communicate the giver’s sentiments and emotions.
About Sun Sang Jewelry Co: Established in 1978, Sun Sang Jewelry Co is engaged in the design, production and wholesale export of gem-set gold jewellery. Among its current offerings are karat gold jewellery with rubies, sapphires and diamonds. The PL Series, named after chief designer and brand founder Paulus Lee, is one of company’s most popular product lines and is credited for lifting their revenues against a backdrop of declining sales for traditional jewellery.
About Formica Group (Rough Synthetic Stones Co Ltd): Formica Group (Rough Synthetic Stones Co Ltd) specialises in the manufacture and sales of synthetic crystals and materials for the jewellery industry. It recently developed the nanogem, a new material made of transparent glass-ceramics that completely imitates the colours, brightness hardness and density of coloured gemstones.
About Shenzhen United BlueOcean Technology Development Co Ltd : Shenzhen United BlueOcean Technology Development Co Ltd has found a creative way to break into China’s trendy gold jewellery market. Capturing the attention of fashion-conscious consumers who are looking for gold jewellery collections that are elegant and simple but with a contemporary feel, Shenzhen United BlueOcean relies on its human-centred approach to innovation to design and produce fine-quality lightweight 24-karat gold jewellery. Established in 2010, the company knew that its research and development capabilities would make it a game changer in China’s gold jewellery market. It built a fully-fledged R&D centre, and invested in manufacturing processes for 24-karat gold that will resolve issues related to producing pieces with high customer appeal. To achieve this goal, the company instilled a culture of innovation throughout its business. Staff were motivated and offered incentives to innovate while a core team of talented technicians under the leadership of company chairman Tong Wang developed manufacturing techniques and products “with the style and appeal of 18-karat gold jewellery.”
About Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewelry Industrial Co Ltd: Founded in 1997, Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewelry Industrial Co Ltd is exploring ways of expanding into international markets. Thus far, it has maintained strategic partnerships with global promotional agencies including the Asia Fancy Color Diamond Association, Platinum Guild International and the World Gold Council. Xingguangda has about 800 employees and 3,000 sales outlets spread across China, which serve thousands of customers every day. Each and every employee espouses the culture of innovation that made the company a frontrunner for innovation and sustainability within the industry. At Xingguangda, employees are encouraged and nurtured to participate in all aspects of the company’s operations, to actively contribute to the innovation of the business. The management continues to focus in bringing innovation in all phases of the business, including the manufacturing process, operations, product research and development, and service.
About J. B. And Brothers Pvt Ltd: Renowned as a manufacturer and exporter of cut and polished diamonds, and a top rough diamond importer, J. B. And Brothers Pvt Ltd has its global headquarters in the Bharat Diamond Bourse in Mumbai and operates state-of-the-art diamond polishing factory in Surat, India. Together with its corporate offices in Belgium, Hong Kong, Dubai and Israel, and affiliates in the US and Canada, the company has built an exemplary global business with sales concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region.
About Dharmanandan Diamonds Pvt Ltd: Dharmanandan Diamonds Pvt Ltd builds its business on excellence in innovation and creating opportunities instead of waiting for things to happen. This proactive mindset led the company to establish the Dharmanandan Research Centre to develop new manufacturing technologies that will create a more efficient and productive business. A DTC Sightholder, it produces about 500,000 carats of polished diamonds annually for global clients including the China, India and the US markets.
About Kiran Gems Pvt Limited: One of India’s largest diamond manufacturers, Kiran Gems is a company that constantly evolves and allows itself to adjust to changes, resulting in robust performance figures. It handles almost 5 percent of the total global rough production and supplying to more than 1,500 companies including some of the biggest and most well-known jewellery and watch brands. With a global customer base, Kiran Gems anchors its operations on its own five Ps – principle, passion, partnership, progress and performance. From its headquarters in Mumbai, it extends its presence to Dubai, with access to major markets including Hong Kong, China, Belgium, Australia and the US.
About ShenZhen Ganlu Jewellery Co Ltd: Shenzhen Ganlu Jewelry continues to make inroads in the global jewellery market. To date, more than a hundred top jewellery retail brands from China have given their trust in the company by recognising it as their appointed supplier. It is now well on its way to worldwide acclaim as it is supplying jewellery to customers and partners from more than 30 countries and regions. Wholesalers and consignment stores have also formed strategic partnerships with the manufacturer in creating a win-win business model. Shenzhen Ganlu prides itself for employing the “one-to-one” model for its VIP customers both locally and abroad. Through this personalisation process, the company prepares its design, production and marketing tools according to customers’ specific preferences – be it 18-karat gold, platinum, diamond or jade.
About Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewelry Industrial Co Ltd: Established in 1997, Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewellery Industrial Co Ltd is one of Mainland China’s largest jewellery manufacturers, specialising in gemstone jewellery set in 18-karat gold and platinum. It boasts of an average 15 percent annual increase in sales through a network that serves top jewellery retailers across China and the international market. The company has also been quick to take advantage of the shift from “Made in China” to “Design in China” trend by focusing their R&D on new product development to remain competitive. Xingguangda is committed to sustainable development in jewellery production and adheres to established ISO and OHSAS operational management standards.
About Shenzhen 3D Kaiente Jewellery Co Ltd: Planting its roots in Shenzhen, China in 2008, Shenzhen 3D Kaiente Jewellery Co Ltd has made a name for itself as a trailblazer in lightweight 24-karat gold jewellery production. Using electroforming technology, the company produces lightweight 24-karat gold jewellery that is harder and more durable. The gold jewellery specialist manufactures the full range of 24-karat gold jewellery products including rings, pendants, necklaces and bangles.
About Shenzhen United BlueOcean Technology Development Co Ltd: Shenzhen United BlueOcean Technology Development Co Ltd has found a creative way to break into China’s trendy gold jewellery market. Capturing the attention of fashion-conscious consumers who are looking for gold jewellery collections that are elegant and simple but with a contemporary feel, Shenzhen United BlueOcean relies on its human-centred approach to innovation to design and produce fine-quality lightweight 24-karat gold jewellery. Established in 2010, the company knew that its research and development capabilities would make it a game changer in China’s gold jewellery market. It built a fully-fledged R&D centre, and invested in manufacturing processes for 24-karat gold that will resolve issues related to producing pieces with high customer appeal. To achieve this goal, the company instilled a culture of innovation throughout its business. Staff were motivated and offered incentives to innovate while a core team of talented technicians under the leadership of company chairman Tong Wang developed manufacturing techniques and products “with the style and appeal of 18-karat gold jewellery.”
About Shenzhen Yuehao Jewelry Co Ltd: Shenzhen Yuehao Jewelry Co Ltd is a mainland China-based manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer of gold, platinum and karat gold jewellery. Originally established in 1926 as Tai Chang Jewelery Shop, the business adopted a new name in 2003 and now has an extensive sales network comprising of 11 wholesale distributors and over 300 exclusive retail shops across Greater China. Its jewellery designs feature strong Chinese elements, some of which are embellished with jade.
About Kashi Jewellers: Kashi Jewellers has over the past 60 years built up a fully integrated jewellery company with loyal customers all over India and across the world. Established in 1955 as a jewellery retailer in the populous city of Kanpur in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India by the late Shri Keshav Nath Kapoor, the company evolved into a jewellery manufacturer, exporter and distributor and in this process, became an undisputed leader in India’s competitive jewellery sector.
About Kiran Gems Pvt Ltd: One of India’s major diamond manufacturers, Kiran Gems is a company that constantly evolves and allows itself to adjust to changes, resulting in robust performance figures. With a global customer base, Kiran Gems anchors its operations on its own five Ps – principle, passion, partnership, progress and performance. From its headquarters in Mumbai, it extends its presence to Dubai, with access to major markets including Hong Kong, China, Belgium, Australia and the US.
About ttf HAUTE JOAILLERIE: Established in 2002, ttf HAUTE JOAILLERIE has become one of the leading brands promoting Chinese design and craftsmanship to the world. It became the first Chinese jewellery company and only the third Asian jewellery manufacturer to exhibit at Basel World 2012. Apart from its design expertise, the company also came up with several innovative production techniques including 925 anti-oxidation, microscope floating setting, gold purification and a method that solves cracking and colour-changing in rose gold jewellery manufacturing.
About Dharmanandan Diamonds Pvt Ltd: Dharmanandan Diamonds Pvt Ltd (DDPL) has developed from five staff and two polishing wheels into a world’s leading diamond and jewellery manufacturing companies with 4,000 people and about 25,000 international customers. DDPL’s sustainability programme involves employee welfare and development, environmental protection and community support.
About Pranda Group: Pranda Group is a Thailand-based leading fine jewellery manufacturer that has won multiple accolades from the Thai government throughout its 40 years of operation. A listed company on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the group produces 10 million pieces of jewellery annually with its own product development centre and is capable of creating over 10,000 new designs per year. The company’s core business segments are manufacturing affordable jewellery, distribution and jewellery retail. Pranda sells its own jewellery products under various brands. Its high-end designer silver jewellery collection is a best-seller. The Prima Gold collection is also popular around Asia and the Middle East. They have retail outlets and franchises in 150 locations, and operates directly owned retail businesses in Thailand, Vietnam, China and Indonesia.
About Raphael Gübelin: Raphael Gübelin is on his second year as CEO of the 160-year old Gübelin Group and remains focused on imprinting his own legacy in the Switzerland-based family business. He is presiding over a company carrying on its tradition while innovating and expanding, with a particular focus on Asia. Three years ago it opened a permanent Gübelin Gem Lab in Hong Kong, followed by a boutique in Kuala Lumpur in 2012, and soon a salon in Hong Kong. He has also helped increase the turnover of the retail business across Switzerland by large double-digit percentages.
About Payal Shah: With parents who were diamond merchants, Payal Shah developed a deep love of gemstones and jewellery at a young age. Her passion for the industry culminated in 2011 when she founded L’Dezen Jewellery Co Ltd with the vision of becoming a global supplier of fashionable handmade diamond jewellery in 18-karat gold. As chief designer, she ensures her creations exhibit a high level of craftsmanship and use only top-quality materials.
About Zhou Defen: As president of Shenzhen Yuehao Jewelry Co Ltd, Zhou Defen is tasked with charting the growth of the nearly 90-year old company and ensuring its place as a leading player in the gold, platinum and karat gold jewellery sector. He inherited his deep love and passion for the industry from his parents. Zhou’s exposure to the jewellery business at a young age helped hone his entrepreneurial skills and design capabilities. Doubling as chief designer, Zhou was also instrumental for enhancing the company’s overall design skills. Today, Shenzhen Yuehao’s products are prominently featuring Chinese motifs such as dragons and peonies.