JNA Awards 2012 Jewellery Industry Best Practices

68 JNA AWARDS 2012 The Inspired Collection: Chris Benham The Inspired Collection offers the global market a fresh, innovative approach to diamond jewellery design. Chris Benham, who co-founded the company with Ian Douglas and Christine Douglas in 2009, has been shortlisted for the Young Leader of the Year (Age 30 or below) category in the inaugural JNA Awards. Over a span of just three years, Benham has led the company to win several domestic and international jewellery design awards. The jewellery manufacturer also won major design contracts with highly respected companies, including Hiersun, a retailer with more than 200 bridal jewellery shops in China. The jewellery pieces offered by the company are designed in Wellington, New Zealand. The international arm of The Village Goldsmith, The Inspired Collection’s design philosophy represents the experience and collaboration of a group of award-winning artisanal jewellers. Innovative designs The company specialises in unique diamond jewellery designs and consistently challenges how a diamond is set into a ring. The Inspired jewellery brand seeks to break through conventional claw setting, channel setting and micro pavé techniques. The designs emphasise the shape and form of the pieces to create individual art forms that sit beautifully on the wearer, and the gemstones are secured in such a way that their brilliance and beauty are maximised. The design team pays special attention to securing the edges to the gemstone which forms an integral part of the design, instead of an afterthought. Inspired jewellery breaks new ground in creating wearable art for its clients, based on using traditional precious metals and gemstones in innovative and practical ways. The “Stellad” ring is developed from a combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern manufacturing technology, incorporating hand-drawn design, CAD, laser welding and award-winning workmanship, to achieve the effect of “a diamond floating upon the hand.” Category: Young Leader of the Year (Age 30 or below) Country/Region: New Zealand