The Jewellery World Awards (JWA) has recognised exceptional players in today’s international jewellery and gemstone sector. Recipients of JWA 2021 as well as JWA Dubai 2022 – a regional edition of JWA – were feted at a gala dinner and awards ceremony on the sidelines of the Jewellery, Gem & Technology Dubai (JGT Dubai) on February 21.

Organised by Informa Markets Jewellery, JWA is the only business awards programme for the international jewellery industry that covers the whole supply chain.

Letitia Chow, chairperson and founder of JWA at Informa Markets Jewellery, remarked, “The jewellery industry has once again demonstrated its resilience and ability to adapt with what we witnessed at this year’s JWA. With the achievements and success stories shared by the recipients across the categories, we are inspired by their vision, innovative approach and thirst for excellence to move forward even in times of adversity. We are so honoured to recognise these achievements on this occasion.”

The highest accolade was given to Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Navrattan Kothari, chairman of KGK Group. For the past six decades, Kothari has demonstrated compassionate and driven leadership. Aside from transforming his family business into a global conglomerate, he is also dedicated to supporting local communities where the KGK Group operates.

James Courage, one of the principal awards judges, said the participants’ initiatives had shown that the industry continues to push boundaries to safeguard the welfare of its employees and satisfy its customers — even in the harshest conditions. “Their ability to innovate, adapt and meet the market’s needs is testament to our Honourees’ resilience, passion, drive and humanity,” said Courage.

Albert Cheng, another principal judge, lauded Honourees’ resiliency, flexibility and rapid digitalisation to combat the negative effects of Covid-19. Kent Wong, managing director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group (CTF), said his company – a JWA Headline Partner for 10 straight years – looks forward to collaborating with stakeholders in achieving more industry milestones.

Lin Qiang, president and managing director of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE), who also served as one of the judges, meanwhile recognised the global jewellery sector’s steady recovery fuelled by industry player’s “unremitting efforts.”

JWA is supported by Headline Partners CTF and SDE and Honoured Partners KGK Group and Guangdong GD Land Group Ltd.

Here is the list of JWA 2021 Recipients across nine categories:

1. Lifetime Achievement Award
Navrattan Kothari

2. Brand of the Year – Retail
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, Hong Kong

3. Industry Innovation of the Year
Diamonds On Call Limited, Hong Kong
Emerald Jewel Industry India Limited, India
Picup Media, Hong Kong
Shenzhen Link Gold Technology Co Ltd, China

4. Manufacturer of the Year – Diamond
KGK Group, Hong Kong

5. Manufacturer of the Year – Jewellery
Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company, Vietnam

6. Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – APAC
CHJ Jewellery, China
YLG Bullion Singapore Pte Ltd, Singapore

7. Outstanding Small Enterprise of the Year (50 full-time employees and below)
Brilliant Cuts Pvt Ltd, Sri Lanka

8. Outstanding ESG Performance of the Year
Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewelry Industrial Co Ltd, China

9. Young Entrepreneur of the Year (age 40 and below)
Do Minh Duc, DOJI Gold & Gems Group JSC, Vietnam
Joyee Zhao, BOJEM, China

JWA Dubai

JWA’s inaugural regional edition, JWA Dubai 2022, is the first business award that specifically recognises individuals and companies from the Middle East’s rapidly growing jewellery and gemstone trade.

Principal judges for the event were Nirupa Bhatt, a business coach and strategic advisor to the gemstone and jewellery industry and former managing director of GIA India and the Middle East; and Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman and CEO of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC).

Also on the Judging Panel of JWA Dubai were Gaetano Cavalieri, president of CIBJO, The World Jewellery Confederation, and Marco Carniello, global exhibition director of Italian Exhibition Group (IEG). The panel is chaired by Chow of Informa Markets Jewellery.

Bin Sulayem, who is also chairman of the Dubai Diamond Exchange and the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange, recognised JWA Dubai’s role in recognising achievements of the jewellery industry in the Middle East and its status as an important market in the global trade.

For her part, Bhatt said the Middle East region is regarded as the second largest market for gems and jewellery in the world. “I look forward to seeing more jewellers, designers and young entrepreneurs participate in the future,” she noted.

Organised by Informa Markets Jewellery and IEG, the first edition of JWA Dubai is supported by its Official Partner DMCC, along with Title Sponsors CTF and Jawhara Jewellery.

The maiden edition of JGT Dubai took place from February 22 to 24 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Jointly organised by Informa Markets Jewellery and IEG, JGT Dubai was the industry’s first international in-person B2B event of the year. The three-day fair featured suppliers from Belgium, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Israel, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and other key sourcing destinations. The show attracted professional trade buyers from over 70 countries and regions.

Here is the list of JWA Dubai 2022 Recipients across four categories:

1. Lifetime Achievement Award
Tawhid Abdullah

2. Brand of the Year – Retail
Malabar Gold & Diamonds - UAE

3. Outstanding Enterprise of the Year
Devji Aurum - Bahrain
Joyalukkas Jewellery LLC - UAE

4. Young Entrepreneur of the Year (age 40 and below)
Chirag Vora, Bafleh Jewellery LLC - UAE