JWA 2021 Jewellery Industry Best Practices

These ultimately minimise rough wastage and bring out the most value in a gemstone. Through its Lustre Design Co brand, the company also extends custom-polishing and jewellery design services. “We educate our customers before proceeding with the cutting process. They are informed of the exact wastage that would occur and are made aware if the design they had in mind was feasible,” adds Perera. She also shares that it has since become their mission to be the world’s first bespoke gemstone-cutting brand through Lustre Design. HUMAN RESOURCES While these investments were necessary, they, too, came with their fair share of risks. Staff they have trained and groomed as master gemstone cutters could change jobs and bring all the benefits of their training to a competitor. Customers could take their business elsewhere even if their stones had already undergone the replication process at Brilliant Cuts. Even so, this Jewellery World Awards Honouree believed that the potential benefits far outweighed any risks. One thing Brilliant Cuts would not risk is the health and safety of its people. “Since we are a production company, it was difficult for us to maintain a transmission-free environment. We did our best by installing protective panels in our lunchrooms, implementing social distancing measures, conducting regular testing and screening, and distributing aid to quarantined employees,” reveals Perera, who adds that the company was able to operate even at the height of the pandemic. On top of that, employees also received their wages regularly and in full. BUILDING AGILITY Looking back, Perera notes that in certain cases, smaller operations can switch gears more quickly than bigger companies in response to COVID-19. “Smaller enterprises are very adaptable. Should there be sudden shifts in government regulations, it would be easier to train a smaller number of individuals, and it would cost less, too, than reskilling a very large workforce,” she divulges. The results back her statement. Aside from growing revenues by three percent and net profits by 49 percent, the organisation reaped multiple honours at JWA in 2021. Prior to this, it was hailed as a bronze and silver awardee at the Ceylon National Chamber of Industries Achiever Awards, among other prestigious accolades. “If you limit the size of the company and maximise its resources to support your goals, you will discover that smaller enterprises, when effectively managed, can yield outstanding results,” concludes Perera. 1. The management team of Brilliant Cuts (Pvt) Ltd 2. The ‘Snail Shell Art’ design celebrates perfection in nature. The snail shell is represented by the stone’s vibrant yellow hue; the ‘Sacred Lotus’ design showcases the invaluable workmanship of the local lapidarist 3. Hard work, skill and dedication 4. A creation inspired by the delicate detailing of a sea turtle’s shell 5. Quality control inspection 4 5 3