MONTH IN REVIEW
www.jewelleryfocus.co.uk
AWARDS AWARDS
The seventh edition of the JNA Awards,
has announced that a record-breaking
number of 127 entries across 12
categories has been received. The annual Goldsmiths’ Fair selling
exhibition has revealed the winners of
its graduate bursary programme.
JNA Awards 2018
draws record
number
of entries
Organised by UBM Asia, the JNA
Awards recognises best business
practices, excellence and innovation
in the international jewellery and
gemstone industry. UBM said that fifty-
six of those submissions were received
from companies participating the
awards for the first time.
Entries from 16 countries and regions,
namely Australia, Mainland China, Hong
Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan,
Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea,
Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, United
Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and
Vietnam were received.
The categories with the most number
of entries were the ‘Industry Innovation
of the Year’ with 34 entries and ‘Brand of
the Year - Retail’ with 16 submissions.
Wolfram Diener, senior vice president
of UBM Asia, said: “We are delighted
that the awards has been drawing the
participation of some of the most talented
individuals, teams and enterprises within
the trade. Our mission has always been
to elevate our industry by showcasing
companies that have grown their
businesses through best practices.”
Letitia Chow, chairperson of the
JNA Awards and director of business
development – at UBM Asia,added:
“This is yet another record-breaking
year for the JNA Awards. This year,
impressively, more than 40 percent of
the entries were submitted by first-
time entrants. We are also glad to see
past honourees continue to challenge
themselves and participate in the
Awards’ seventh edition with new ideas
and innovations.”
14 JEWELLERY FOCUS
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Goldsmiths’ Fair
graduate bursary
programme
winners revealed
The 10 graduates – who were
selected from over 100 applicants – will
receive:
n A free stand at Goldsmiths’ Fair
n A £1500 bursary
n Up to £3000 precious metal loan
n Customised training via the
Goldsmiths’ Centre
According to the group the graduate
opportunity for emerging designer-
makers regularly leads to sales and
commissions that otherwise might take
years to achieve.
The Goldsmiths’ Company said: “The
[company] is proud to shine a spotlight
on these promising makers and help
launch them on what will hopefully be
successful careers.”
QUOTE OF
THE MONTH
“The first fair earlier this
year was a real eye opener
for us and demonstrated that
UK and European designers
have a growing appetite for
gemstones that are mined
ethically and responsibly.”
That’s what Stuart Pool, director of
ethical jewellery store Nineteen48,
said about the organisation of a
second Ethical Gem Fair.
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REFURBISHMENT
Goldsmiths
reveals newly-
refurbished
Birmingham
store
High street jeweller Goldsmiths has
launched its newly-transformed
Birmingham store following a £1m
investment.
Located in Birmingham’s Bullring
leisure and retail centre, the showroom
re-opened with a new shop-fit and a
52m 2 dedicated watch room.
Craig Bolton, Goldsmiths executive
director, said: “We’re delighted to
reopen our Bullring showroom just in
time for summer with a contemporary
new look and luxury watch room,
which is home to a number of
prestigious brands.
“Birmingham is a hugely dynamic
shopping destination with Bullring at its
heart so we jumped at the opportunity
to be able to double our number of
units and establish an enhanced,
premium offering for our customers.”
Sam Green, manager of Goldsmiths
Birmingham, added: “It’s fantastic
to unveil the results of our recent
refurbishment and welcome the
addition of the brand new watch room.
“As we are well and truly in the
midst of peak wedding season, we
are looking forward to picking out
everything for our customers’ big
day – the perfect gift, a timepiece to
treasure, the wedding bands and the
finishing outfit touch; whether a bride,
groom or guest.”
August 2018 | jewelleryfocus.co.uk