Hong Kong grabs Prestigious Accolades at JNA Awards 2015

HONG KONG, Oct. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Hong Kong companies shone brilliantly at the fourth annual JNA Awards as they picked up plum awards across four categories, including the two highest accolades -- the Lifetime Achievement Award and 3 Decades of Excellence Award. Organised by JNA (Jewellery News Asia), the JNA Awards is the culmination of a year-long effort to recognise individuals and companies that are raising the bar on quality, innovation and excellence in the jewellery industry.

Leading off the assembly of awardees from Hong Kong was Mimi Ou Yang Chiu Mei, recipient of the event's highest honour -- the Lifetime Achievement Award. The other awardees were the Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association (HKJJA); Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd and Lorenzo Jewelry Ltd.

Recipients of this year's JNA Awards from Hong Kong and their categories are:

1. Mimi Ou Yang Chiu Mei -- Lifetime Achievement Award 2. HKJJA -- 3 Decades of Excellence3. Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd -- Industry Innovation of the Year4. Lorenzo Jewelry Ltd -- Manufacturer of the Year -- Gem-Set Jewellery

Letitia Chow, Founder of JNA, Director of Business Development -- Jewellery Group at UBM Asia and Chair of the JNA Awards Judging Panel, noted, "As an important hub for the jewellery industry, Hong Kong continues to demonstrate leadership in innovation, fine craftsmanship and best business practices, as well as the advancement of the industry. I have always known that Hong Kong has some of the industry's highest achievers, and it is such a pleasure to have some of these individuals and companies recognised at the JNA Awards."

Commenting on her award, jade studies and research expert Mimi Ou Yang Chiu Mei said, "I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the judges for recognising my work and study in Fei Cui for the past decades. This award does not merely belong to me, but it goes to the whole jewellery industry of Hong Kong, Fei Cui in particular."

Founded in 1965, HKJJA has demonstrated tremendous industry leadership, nurturing and promoting Hong Kong's jewellery and jade industry both at home and overseas. Its efforts, over the past 50 years, have elevated Hong Kong to its current position of undisputed leader in the global jade jewellery business. The association said, "We would like to thank JNA for initiating this unique awards programme and recognising our passion and contributions to the jewellery industry in Hong Kong."

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd, which has consistently won accolades at the JNA Awards since the programme's inception, is known for applying innovative initiatives to enhance its business operations. "Chow Tai Fook and the JNA Awards share the same values of innovation, excellence and achievement. It is a privilege to be honoured in the prestigious JNA Awards since these accolades are highly regarded and widely recognised industry-wide," remarked Kent Wong, Managing Director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd.

First-time recipient, Lorenzo Jewelry, has carved out leadership positions in the market, not only as a producer of fine polished gemstones, but also as a designer and manufacturer of gem-set jewellery including collections and bespoke pieces sold under its own brand. The company commented, "This honour enhances our competitiveness since the JNA Awards is only presented to companies that show outstanding performance and leadership in the jewellery industry."

The JNA Awards 2015 Ceremony and Gala Dinner was held during the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair. The event was supported by Rio Tinto Diamonds and Chow Tai Fook as Headline Partners, with Diarough Group, Gübelin Group, Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies, Shanghai Diamond Exchange and Guangdong Land Holdings Ltd as Honoured Partners.

Award categories for 2016 will be announced shortly in November. For the complete list of the 2015 JNA Awards Recipients, please visit www.JNAawards.com.

For enquiries, please contact:

JNA Awards Marketing UBM Asia (Hong Kong) +852 2516-2184[email protected]

Notes for Editors:

1. About JNA (www.jewellerynewsasia.com)

JNA is the organiser of the JNA Awards and is the flagship publication 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, coloured gemstone, jewellery manufacturing, and equipment and supplies sectors.

2. About the Headline Partners

2.1 Rio Tinto Diamonds (www.riotinto.com/diamondsandminerals)

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 interest in 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 the Responsible Jewellery Council.

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

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd, the largest jeweller listed in Hong Kong by market capitalisation, is celebrated as one of the most dynamic jewellery companies in the world. It was listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in December 2011. Chow Tai Fook is now a constituent stock of the Hang Seng China 50 Index and the Hang Seng Mainland 100 Index.

The iconic brand "Chow Tai Fook" of the Group has been widely recognised for its trustworthiness and authenticity, and is renowned for product design, quality and value. The acquisition of Hearts On Fire, an internationally acclaimed US luxury jewellery brand, has further underpinned the Group's stature as a diamond expert in the industry.

The Group has an extensive retail network comprising 2,270 Chow Tai Fook and Hearts On Fire points of sale spanning nearly 500 cities in Greater China, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and the United States, as well as a strong and fast growing e-tail network through its Chow Tai Fook e-Shop and various e-tail accounts on other online shopping platforms.

The Group's sophisticated vertically integrated business model provides an effective and tight control over the entire operation chain from raw materials procurement, design and production to marketing and sales through its extensive POS and e-tail channels.

3. About the Honoured Partners

3.1 Diarough Group (www.diarough.com)

Diarough Group was established in Antwerp in 1975 and owns diamond polishing factories in China, India, Thailand and Botswana, with a network of sales offices around the world. Diarough is known among the most professional and respected names in the international diamond industry.

Diarough believes in building and nurturing long-term business relationships based on mutual trust, finding solutions to business and marketing problems, creating marketable opportunities through innovative products and providing excellent client services.

Its jewellery manufacturing unit Uni-Design has produced many award-winning jewellery pieces, which have been proudly worn by celebrities on the red carpet over the years.

The Group employs over 3,500 people and is engaged in a wide range of diamond business activities like rough trading, cutting, polishing, jewellery manufacturing and marketing to retailers, chain stores, global brands and private labels worldwide. Diarough employs advanced technology and modern work speed with traditional ethical business practices upon which the Company was founded.

3.2 Gubelin Group (www.gubelin.com)

Since 1854, the name Gubelin has stood for the very highest standards in gemstones, jewellery and watches. With its selection of the most sought-after timepieces and jewellery 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. In 2013, Gubelin Jewellery established its presence in Hong Kong.

Besides the jewellery boutiques and the Gubelin Ateliers, the group has an Academy and a world-renowned Gemmological Laboratory. The Gubelin Gem Lab is one of the oldest and most respected institutions of its kind, relied on by dealers, auction houses, royal families and collectors since the 1920s.

3.3 Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (www.israelidiamond.co.il)

The Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI) is a non-profit, public interest company representing all institutions involved in the Israeli Diamond Industry. Israel is one of the world's leading diamond centres and IDI works to enhance Israel's position as a major trading and manufacturing hub.

IDI works to benefit Israel's diamond industry in a variety of areas including: marketing and PR, technological innovation, encouraging local manufacturing, training, and security consulting. IDI seeks out new markets for Israeli diamonds and develops existing ones. As part of this effort, IDI organises industry participation in major trade fairs around the world, establishing Israeli Diamond Pavilions and sponsoring events at these shows.

IDI operates a representative office in Hong Kong, which fosters trade relations with Asian markets.

3.4 Shanghai Diamond Exchange (www.cnsde.com)

Authorised by the State Council, the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE) is the only diamond exchange in China and provides diamond dealers a fair and safe transaction venue under close supervision. It also enjoys a favourable taxation policy and is operated in accordance with international best practices of the diamond industry.

Established in 2000, the SDE is a non-profit, self-regulating membership organisation and a member of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses.

3.5 The Guangdong Land Holdings Limited (www.gdland.com.hk)

The Guangdong Land Holdings Limited (GDLAND), with its headquarters in Hong Kong, is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, and is a subsidiary of GDH Limited, which is Guangdong Province's largest conglomerate operating outside Mainland China.

The principal business of GDLAND is property development and investment, including but not limited to the development and operational management of the innovative commercial real estate, urban complex and industrial business complex. As the strategic arm of GDH Limited, GDLAND engages in the business development of commercial real estate, as well as the projects of urban and industrial complex.

GDLAND's flagship project, namely the "Buxin Project", is planned to become the biggest and most advanced jewellery mart in the world, including a large-scale jewellery trading and exhibition centre along with other facilities, with a lot size of over 87,000 square metres and the construction scale (floor area) is expected to be more than 700,000 square metres. The Buxin Project, which is located in the Buxin area of Luohu district in Central Shenzhen, close to the Shuibei Gold and Jewellery Base, is expected to develop the area into one of the most influential gold and jewellery trading and exchange platforms in China and around the world.

4. About UBM Asia (www.ubmasia.com)

Owned by UBM plc listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia is the largest trade show organiser in Asia and the largest commercial organiser in 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 24 major cities with 30 offices and 1,300 staff.

With a track record spanning over 30 years, UBM Asia operates in 20 market sectors with 230 dynamic face-to-face exhibitions and high-level professional conferences, 21 targeted trade publications, 18 round-the-clock online products for over 2,000,000 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, Guzhen and Shenzhen, where we organise 90 exhibitions and conferences. In ASEAN, UBM Asia operates from its offices in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines with over 40 events in this region. UBM India teams in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai organise 40 exhibitions and conferences every year across the country.

 

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SOURCE JNA