February 4, 2021

2021 Jewellery World Awards is now open for entries

Hong Kong 4 February 2021 – The 2021 Jewellery World Awards (JWA), formerly known as the JNA Awards, is now accepting entries via www.JWAwards.com. JWA…

Hong Kong 4 February 2021 – The 2021 Jewellery World Awards (JWA), formerly known as the JNA Awards, is now accepting entries via www.JWAwards.com. JWA launched three new categories to its roster — all of which were introduced to cover a wider scope of companies in the global jewellery and gemstone industry.

Helmed by Informa Markets Jewellery, the world’s largest B2B jewellery fairs organiser, JWA was founded in 2012 to promote innovation and excellence in the international jewellery and gemstone trade. Originally designed to celebrate achievements within the Asian region mainly, the award has grown tremendously over the years and now caters to the needs of more members of the global community.

The 2021 JWA categories are:

Brand of the Year – Retail
Industry Innovation of the Year
Manufacturer of the Year
Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – APAC
Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – EMEA & Americas
Outstanding ESG Performance of the Year
Outstanding Small Enterprise of the Year (50 full-time employees and below)
Young Entrepreneur of the Year (age 40 and below)
Lifetime Achievement Award (nominated by the organiser)

“To create an even more diverse and inclusive award programme, we have expanded the Outstanding Enterprise category to include the Americas, and added Outstanding Small Enterprise of the Year to the list. That way more companies from all over the world can be recognised for their outstanding achievements, regardless of the scale of their operations. Additionally, the new Outstanding ESG Performance of the Year category will highlight the importance of sustainability in every aspect of the business. We look forward to sharing more inspiring experiences and solutions from the industry at the 2021 JWA,” shares Letitia Chow, Chairperson & Founder of Jewellery World Awards at Informa Markets Jewellery.

All interested parties can now register on www.JWAwards.com to peruse the criteria for judging and submit entries till 20 April 2021, Tuesday.

“Chow Tai Fook takes pride in being a Headline Partner for a decade, especially as the JWA marks a truly momentous milestone by taking on a new branding. We are privileged to witness the award programme’s continuous pursuit of innovations and breakthroughs. We wish the event continues to succeed and propel positive change within the industry in the coming years,” remarks Kent Wong, Managing Director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group.

Lin Qiang, President and Managing Director of Shanghai Diamond Exchange comments, “I am thrilled that the award has expanded globally after 10 years of rapid growth. The new JWA encourages the global trade by setting up the stage for more outstanding jewellery enterprises and entrepreneurs to demonstrate their brilliance, their tireless pursuit of excellence and innovations, and their unwavering perseverance.”

“The JWA enters its 10th year with a bigger global footprint and updated categories that highlight the jewellery and gemstone industry’s increasing geographical scope. Enter and be part of the on-going focus on technology, enterprise, environment, social responsibility and good governance and have the chance to join a global platform of the best,” adds James Courage, former Chief Executive Officer of Platinum Guild International who is one of the principal judges of the JWA.

Albert Cheng, CEO of Singapore Bullion Market Association and also one of the principal judges of JWA shares, “The year 2020 may have been a very difficult year for many individuals and companies, but there are those who have proven themselves strong and resilient in the time of crisis. Aside from congratulating them, we also encourage them to share their stories on innovation, technological breakthroughs and other ideas that helped them weather the year that was.”

The 2021 JWA Ceremony and Gala Dinner will debut in a hybrid format during Jewellery and Gem WORLD Hong Kong fair in September, with the support of Headline Partners Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group and Shanghai Diamond Exchange; alongside Honoured Partners KGK Group and Guangdong Land (Shenzhen) Ltd.

JNA, the flagship publication of Informa Markets Jewellery, continues to be the official media partner of JWA. Key JWA events will also be held during Asia’s No. 1 mid-year fine jewellery sourcing destination, Jewellery & Gem ASIA Hong Kong (JGA) in June; and the industry’s biggest and most influential B2B marketplace, Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong (JGW) in September.

ENDS

For more information, visit http://www.JWAwards.com/ or contact:
JWA Marketing
Informa Markets
+852 2516-2184
info@Jwawards.com

Notes for Editors:

About the Headline Partners
1. Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (www.ctfjewellerygroup.com)

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (the “Group”; SEHK stock code: 1929) was listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in December 2011. The Group’s vision is to become the most trusted jewellery group in the world.

Founded in 1929, the Group’s iconic brand “CHOW TAI FOOK” is widely recognised for its trustworthiness and authenticity, and is renowned for its product design, quality and value. A long-standing commitment to innovation and craftsmanship has contributed to the Group’s success, along with that of its iconic retail brand, and has been embodied in its rich 90-year heritage. Underpinning this success are our long-held core values of “Sincerity • Eternity”.

The Group’s differentiation strategy continues to make inroads into diverse customer segments by catering to a bespoke experience for different lifestyles and personalities, as well as customers’ different life stages. Offering a wide variety of products, services and channels, the Group’s brand portfolio comprises the CHOW TAI FOOK flagship brand, with curated retail experiences including ARTRIUM and JEWELRIA, and other individual brands including HEARTS ON FIRE, ENZO, SOINLOVE and MONOLOGUE.

The Group’s commitment to sustainable growth is anchored in its customer-centric focus and strategies, which are in place to promote long term innovation in business, in people and in culture. Another asset underpinning sustainable growth is a sophisticated and agile business model. This supports the Group by fostering excellence and extending opportunities along the entire value chain to communities and industry partners across the world.

With an extensive retail network in Greater China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia and the United States, and a fast-growing e-commerce business, the Group is implementing effective online-to-offline (“O2O”) strategies to succeed in today’s omni-channel retail environment.

Shanghai Diamond Exchange (www.cnsde.com)

Authorised by the State Council, the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE) is the only diamond exchange body 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.

About the Honoured Partners
- KGK Group (www.kgkgroup.com)

The KGK Group was founded in 1905 by Kesrimal Kothari and Ghisilal Kothari of Jaipur (India), to trade gemstones between India and Burma. With a global presence across 15 countries today, the privately held group has evolved into one of the most preferred brands in the gemstone and jewellery industry, with a vertically integrated operation.

KGK is one of the few conglomerates covering the entire spectrum of mining, sourcing, manufacturing and distribution of coloured gemstones, diamonds and jewellery for over a century. KGK Group has a resilient team of 12,000 employees with operations and offices in Asia, North and South America, Europe and Africa. Having achieved an impeccable reputation in the gemstone, diamond and jewellery trade, the group has recently diversified into real estate.

Guangdong GD Land Group Limited (www.gdland.com.hk)

Guangdong GD Land Group Limited (GD Land) is the largest conglomerate from the Guangdong province that holds operations outside of Mainland China. A subsidiary of GDH Limited, this integrated investment developer specialises in urban infrastructure and operates a number of strategic businesses. These include residential development, commercial real estate, urban renewal and industrial real estate, among others.

Committed to the philosophy of “qualtiy comes first”, GD Land has a number of upscale projects in the Greater Bay area, including Shenzhen GDH City, Guangzhou Panyu GD Land Plaza, Nansha GD Land Plaza, Panyu Riverside Garden, and GD Land Laurel House.

Informa Markets Jewellery (www.informamarkets.com)

Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our global jewellery vertical, Informa Markets Jewellery, offers in-person and web-based sourcing experiences, digital solutions and dedicated B2B platforms that bring international buyers and quality sellers together in the fine jewellery, gemstone, and fashion jewellery and accessories markets. Our resources, industry experience, influence and focus as a partner are enhanced by our global jewellery portfolio that includes the industry’s No. 1 B2B jewellery marketplace – Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong; a powerful digital platform – JewelleryNet; a dedicated Jewellery Media team; an education-based programme – Jewellery & Gem Knowledge Community, and one of the industry’s most prestigious awards programmes – the Jewellery World Awards (JWA).

February 4, 2021

DITP shifts format of Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair from February 2021 to online exhibition called BGJF Virtual Trade Fair in May 2021

Bangkok: February 01, 2021 - The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) will change the 66th Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair scheduled for February 2021…

Posted in Events, World News Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair BGJF Virtual Trade Fair Events World News

Bangkok: February 01, 2021 – The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) will change the 66^th Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair scheduled for February 2021 from a physical fair to become the BGJF Virtual Trade Fair in May 2021 in order to ensure the continuity of the trade show and provide trading opportunities for the gems and jewelry industry during the New Normal.

For the past few months, the DITP has been closely monitoring the situation relating to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand and other countries. While Thailand has been able to limit the spread of the virus, especially during the new wave of the disease, the health and safety of industry stakeholders are always our priority. Therefore, DITP has decided to shift the 66^th Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair, originally scheduled for 23-27 February 2021, to become an online event called the BGJF Virtual Trade Fair to be organized in May 2021.

The main objective of BGJF Virtual Trade Fair is to offer trading opportunities to exporters of gems and jewelry products through online channels in order to overcome the challenges of doing business while the threat of the COVID-19 virus continues. This online edition of the fair will enable domestic and international exhibitors to meet and trade with buyers from around the world, offering a safe opportunity to conduct business while international travel is restricted.

In addition, the 67^th Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair will be organized as a hybrid fair on 11-15 September 2021 at Challenger Halls, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok.

For more information, please visit

Website: www.bkkgems.com

Facebook: bangkokgemsofficial

Instagram: bkkgemsofficial

February 4, 2021

A landmark budget for the gem & jewellery industry

Gold import duty reduced from 12.5% to 7.5%Silver import duty reduced from 12.5% to 7.5%Duty on Platinum reduced to 10%Clarification Sought - Equalisation Levy of…

Posted in World News Colin Shah GJEPC Mumbai Vipul Shah World News

Gold import duty reduced from 12.5% to 7.5%
Silver import duty reduced from 12.5% to 7.5%
Duty on Platinum reduced to 10%
Clarification Sought – Equalisation Levy of 2% not applicable on B2B Purchases from International Diamond Auctions
A new Sebi regulated gold exchange has been announced

Mumbai, 1^st February 2021: GJEPC welcomes Hon’ble Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s visionary budget; reduction on customs duty on raw materials like gold, silver and platinum to boost jewellery exports.

The Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced a slew of measures to boost Gem & Jewellery exports by cutting import duty on precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum.

The import duty on gold and silver has been reduced from 12.5% to 7.5%
Import duty on Platinum, Pallidum, etc has been reduced from 12.5% to 10%
Import duty on Silver Dore Bar from 11% to 6.1%
The import duty on Gold/Silver Findings has been cut from 20% to 10%
Import duty on Spent catalyst or ash containing precious metals from 11.85% to 9.2%
Precious Metal Coins from 12.5% to 10%.

Colin Shah, Chairman, GJEPC said,“We sincerely thank the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon’ble Finance Minister for this bold and pragmatic growth-oriented budget.

The reduction in import duty from 12.5 per cent to 7.5 per cent will help the Gem & Jewellery exports become globally competitive. Reduction in duty on raw materials would give the much-needed boost to the sector and help it to move to the next level. In fact, high duty on precious metal had made our exports uncompetitive leading to large Indian diaspora/NRI, moving to Dubai, Hong Kong or other centres to buy jewellery which was largely impacting the employment as well as business in India. Along with this the decrease of import duty on jewellery findings to 10% will help the jewellery manufacturer exporters in a big way. ”

“Another relief for the industry was the clarification on Equalisation Levy. What we understand that from the budget is that Online Equalisation Levy of 2% is now not applicable on B2B purchases from International Diamond Auctions. This will help our manufacturers of diamonds to buy directly from miners. Sincere thanks to Hon’ble FM for this relief.” adds Colin Shah

FM has also announced setting up of a new Sebi regulated gold exchange. The Finance Minister also announced that Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), will be notified as the capital markets watchdog as regulator for gold exchanges. “We welcome the move as this will surely ease marketability and sale of gold,” added Colin.

Thanking the Prime Minister and Finance Minister for coming out with a visionary budget, Vipul Shah, Vice Chairman, GJEPC said, “The finance minister has done a remarkable job by presenting a bold budget in these difficult times. The budget focused on investments in the infrastructure sector, consolidation of regulations, implementing digitisation in several sectors and reducing regulatory forbearance. There were also various measures to improve consumptions. We want to congratulate finance minister and prime minister for coming out with a landmark budget.”

About The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)

The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), set up by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India (GoI) in 1966, is one of several Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) launched by the Indian Government, to boost the country’s export thrust, when India’s post-Independence economy began making forays in the international markets. Since 1998, the GJEPC has been granted autonomous status. The GJEPC is the apex body of gems & jewellery industry and today represents 7000 exporters in the sector. With headquarters in Mumbai, GJEPC has Regional Offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Surat and Jaipur, all of which are major centres for the industry. It thus has a wide reach and is able to have a closer interaction with members to serve them in a direct and more meaningful manner. Over the past decades, GJEPC has emerged as one of the most active EPCs, and has continuously strived to both expand its reach and depth in its promotional activities as well as widen and increase services to its members.

February 4, 2021

Showcase Jewellers – from the Board

NEWS RELEASE FEBRUARY 4, 2021 SHOWCASE JEWELLERS ANNOUNCE STRONG FIRST HALF RESULTS Showcase Jewellers is on track to deliver a higher than anticipated…

Posted in Business Buying Group Diamonds Showcase Jewellers Terrence Keoghan

NEWS RELEASE FEBRUARY 4, 2021

SHOWCASE JEWELLERS ANNOUNCE STRONG FIRST HALF RESULTS

Showcase Jewellers is on track to deliver a higher than anticipated profit this financial year, as well as recording a 15% increase in Member purchases in the first half, according to Terrence Keoghan, Chairman. “A great success for the Member-owned group in its 40^th year as a group, the only buying group that returns all profits to its members,” he said.

This has been achieved in what for many bricks and mortar retailers was a challenging year due to COVID-19 and economic uncertainty.

“Our success is in no small part due to Showcase Jewellers’ strategic approach to reading the market and identifying the most promising opportunities for sales growth, then capitalising on our buying strengths to maximise profits for its Members,” Terrence Keoghan said.

“Continuing its focus on Diamonds, Showcase’s strategic partnership brings to market the uniquely Australian-designed Dreamtime Argyle Diamond Collection, Argyle White Diamonds and the most exclusive diamonds in the world, Argyle Pink Diamonds. Showcase Jewellers also enjoys their significant partnership with Swarovski Created Diamonds, offering the finest quality, lab-created diamonds.”

Showcase Jewellers’ vertical integration system, sourcing diamonds directly from the most respected international suppliers, has delivered the very best quality diamonds, along with significant cost savings to its jewellery store Members, ensuring they can offer a premium product of significant value to their clients, and allowing them to achieve greater market share.

According to Keoghan, to ensure the continued success of Showcase Jewellers’ Members, comprehensive support is offered for all marketing and merchandise requirements via its own in-house marketing agency, providing all the resources needed for omnichannel retailing, while reducing the cost of outsourcing this essential service.

Members can utilise a wide variety of services with at least three major campaigns per year, a plethora of ‘mini’ digital promotions, social media content, free website setup and monthly website content, educational resources, graphic design for in-store, print and online, access to stock imagery. Showcase also works one-to-one with stores who require personalised campaigns created.

Additionally, Showcase Jewellers’ merchandise department aims to ensure all stock programs are accompanied with marketing material and P.O.S. store signage to effectively and economically promote their product offerings. These assist jewellery store Members to plan and fill their marketing calendar simply, easily and with as little time and cost investment as possible.

Showcase also recognises and thanks their suppliers who are major partners in the company’s continued and ongoing success.

Keoghan is upbeat about the future for Showcase: “With a strong, professional head office team and our committed Board providing the strategic overview and guidance to bring further innovation and corporate oversight, Showcase is placed in a strong financial position, with carefully crafted strategies to further enhance our members’ businesses,” he said.

“Our strategic plan sets out the vision for the organization to continue to achieve sustainable growth for the next three years, in what may well be a very challenging economic time ahead.

“Showcase Jewellers’ plan for growth will continue to focus on its support infrastructure to assist Members grow their business, through improved professional management systems, better buying opportunities, store presentations and effective marketing programs based on high quality, excellent value and the very best customer service.”

Mr Carson Webb Departs Showcase

It was also announced that Mr Carson Webb leaves the company this month to pursue new opportunities. He joined the business in August 2011 as Operations Manager, later becoming General Manager, appointed Managing Director in August 2019.

Carson worked across the business, including purchasing jewellery, loose diamonds, fine jewellery, brands and watches; modern retail and leasing support; marketing elements including e-commerce and brand development; inventory management; training and Human Resources staff management.

“We wish Carson well in his future endeavours,” the Chairman said.

With compliments: Showcase Jewellers

Background information on Showcase Jewellers
The Showcase Jewellers group was established in Australia in 1981, by a group of independent jewellers who banded together to improve their buying power in the industry, merging in 2011 with the New Zealand based Gemtime Group, also formed in 1981 by independent jewellers.

Today, Showcase Jewellers is Australasia’s premier buying and marketing group, representing over 200 independent jewellery stores across Australia and New Zealand. It is the only Buying Group that returns all profits to its Members. Its head office is located in Sydney, Australia.

Jewellery World Magazine originally emailed this announcement as January 4th, but infact news was released Feburary 4th.