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18 solitaire INTERNATIONAL sEpTEmbER 2016

HK Marathon Raises J5 Lakh For Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

Hari Krishna Group organised a 10K marathon Kisna Monsoon Run which raised I5 lakh for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the national cleanliness drive. The race was flagged off at 6:00 am with a participation of about 500 individuals on August 21 in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai. The race originated at The Capital, BKC with medical arrangements and water stations along the route. This eventful morning concluded with an awards ceremony.

Kirit Bhansali Elected Chairman Of IIGJ MumbaiThe board of directors of the Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ) Mumbai, having completed its tenure, has elected a new panel of directors and a chairman in a meeting held at the Bagmal Laxmichand Parikh campus in Andheri (East) in late July.

The newly inducted directors of the re-enacted board are: Kirit Bhansali, Namita Pandya, Anil Virani, and Ashok Gajera. The directors continuing from the previous board are Praveenshankar Pandya, Vasant Mehta, Dilipkumar Lakhi, Sanjay Kothari, Nirmalkumar Barmecha, Ashish Kothari, and Raj Hiten Parikh.

The new chairman Kirit Bhansali is a high profile businessman and a partner of Sky Gems & Smital Gems with several branches throughout the world. He is also a committee member of the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) and the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). Bhansali has a vision of promoting quality education in the gems and jewellery industry through IIGJ Mumbai and would like to see IIGJ students selected by global jewellery brands.

Among the new directors, Ashok Gajera, managing director of Laxmi Diamonds, is also connected with several social activities including academics and upliftment of rural society under the Gajera Trust, at Amreli in Gujarat.

Anil Virani, managing director of Karp Impex, besides being a successful businessman, is also a promoter of upliftment of rural society through his family establishment at Jasdan in Gujarat.

Namita Pandya was the convener of IIGJ Tardeo, previously JPDC. She has now been elected as a full-fledged director. She also has been a promoter of education, especially in tribal areas of India.

IIGJ outgoing chairman Vasant Mehta played a significant role in the creation and overall development of IIGJ Mumbai to its present status where it is now recognised as a centre of jewellery education in India and abroad. IIGJ is now collaborating with Mewar University for a BA degree in Jewellery and with the Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research for the study of Jewellery Management.

IIGJ Mumbai’s outgoing chairman Vasant Mehta (right) greeting the incoming chairman Kirit Bhansali with flowers.

Ghanshyam Dholakia, managing director of Hari Krishna Exports Pvt. Ltd., said, “This is the first time we have organised a 10K marathon and I’m overwhelmed with the response we have received. It has been an incredible event and a great run for us. Every participant displayed sportsmanship and ran for a cause. Our aim is to increase the contribution we make to help society as this is a wonderful platform for fundraising.”

Swarovski Promotes Sterling Silver Jewellery

Miss Diva Finalists Peruse Nazraana Jewellery At Anmol Jewellers

Swarovski Gemstones supported a business networking evening and fashion show organised by the Sterling Silver Jewellery Association (SSJA) on August 6 at JW Marriott in Mumbai. The primary aim of SSJA Silver Nite was to promote 925 sterling silver jewellery.

The show featured top models and Bollywood celebrities, including Shibani

Kashyap, Payal Rohatgi, Preetika Rao, Claudia, Sana Khan and Anjana Sukhani. Malaika Arora Khan was the show stopper. They wore outfits designed by fashion designer Archana Kochhar.

Rajendra Jain, managing director, Swarovski Gemstones, India, said, “A little late to the show, but silver has really positioned its game among the precious metals! Today, silver jewellery is on the runway like never before. Style, the price of gold, and a growing market for mid-priced jewellery have led many jewellers, brands and designers to turn to silver as their medium of choice. From Tiffany to Amrapali, Jewels Emporium, Silver Emporium, Diosa, Salasar Balaji, E-design, Mahi and Tiara Fashion Jewellery, silver is becoming an international superstar in the fashion world.”

Nazraana along with Anmol Jewellers hosted a unique store visit for the finalists of Yamaha Fascino – Miss Diva 2016. The contestants wore Nazraana jewellery collections available at the store and interacted with customers present.

Nazraana, Rio Tinto Diamonds flagship diamond jewellery initiative in India, is the official jewellery partner for Yamaha Fascino Miss Diva – Miss Universe India 2016.

The winner of Yamaha Fascino Miss Diva – Miss Universe India 2016 will represent India at Miss Universe 2016 later this year.

Vikram Merchant, director of Rio Tinto Diamonds India Representative Office, said, “The pageant is a unique opportunity to showcase beautiful Nazraana collections comprising champagne diamonds from Rio Tinto’s Argyle diamond mine.”

Ishu Datwani, founder, Anmol Jewellers, said, “Nazraana designs have been very well received by our customers. We are delighted to host the Miss Diva 2016 finalists at our store and introduce them to the beautiful Nazraana collections which they can match with their individual personalities. We wish the finalists every success in the contest.”

Contestants with Anmol Jewellers’ COO Aditya Jain and Rio Tinto’s Vikram Merchant at the store.

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Nazraana will also design an exclusive jewellery ensemble to be worn by the winner when she represents India at the Miss Universe 2016.


GJEPC Hosts 5th India Diamond Week In New YorkThe Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) in association with Diamond Dealer Club (DDC) organised the 5th India Diamond Week on August 22-25 at the Diamond Dealers Club, 580 5th Avenue, New York.

The main purpose of the four-day event was to create an annual trading platform for Indian diamantaires in the US to fortify business relationships with leading American diamond traders.

About 16 Indian diamond manufacturers from India and the US participated in the event. DDC is the largest diamond trade organisation in the US, and one of the leading diamond exchanges in the world. As in previous years, a networking evening was organised for further exploring business ideas between the event participants.

GJEPC chairman Praveenshankar Pandya said, “The India Diamond Week is one of the major meeting points for both Indian and American diamond manufacturers which fosters the interests of the diamond traders, thereby bringing together the largest diamond manufacturer and the largest diamond and diamond jewellery consuming nation under one roof.

“GJEPC participates in some of the largest and most prestigious trade events across the world. The US, which is now on a positive economic growth trajectory, is a significant exporting destination for India. GJEPC has been creating opportunities for Indian gem and jewellery manufacturers by participating in international shows and organising events focused on the US market.”

The Indian diamantaires that participated were: Bhavna Gems, D. Navinchandra Exports Pvt. Ltd., Dirgh Diamond Pvt.Ltd., Excel Overseas Pvt. Ltd., J.B. And Brothers Pvt. Ltd.,

Janam Corporation Pvt. Ltd., K.B. Gems, M. Suresh Company Pvt. Ltd., Mohit Diamonds Pvt. Ltd., Rainbow Star, Sejal Exports (India), Shashvat Jewels Pvt. Ltd., Sheetal Mfg. Company Pvt. Ltd., Shyam Corporation, Unique Gems, and Venu Diamond.

India is the largest supplier of diamonds to the US, ahead of Belgium and Israel, with polished exports to that country totalling $63.84 billion during 2015.

HK Exports Organises Health Incentive Trip For 150 EmployeesHari Krishna Exports Pvt. Ltd. organised a trip to Kerala from August 12-15 for 150 employees who maintained 100% attendance throughout the year. The trip was an opportunity for HK employees and their families to enjoy travelling, playing games and spending time together, including visits to Athirapally waterfall, naval yard, boat ride at Allepy and much more.

Ghanshyam Dholakia, managing director, Hari Krishna Exports Pvt. Ltd., said, “It is such a great feeling to get all of our employees together with their families and have a good time. We hope next year will be even better!”


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KP Chair Releases Mid-term Progress Report

The UAE Kimberley Process (KP) chair 2016, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, published a mid-term report, a first for the KP, highlighting key initiatives such as on-site visits to the major diamond producing nations of Africa, the initiation of a series of valuation seminars and a proposal which explores the use of blockchain technology to help enhance security measures.

The report also offers a preview of activities for the remainder of the year including the KP Plenary

meeting that will see representatives from all over the world meet in Dubai to discuss the future of the diamond industry from November 13-17.

“This year the KP chair has taken concrete steps to support the efforts of various groups and monitoring teams, to ensure that some of the world’s poorest diamond producing countries are able to join or come back into the KP family and receive a fair

share of the revenues created by the mining and export of rough diamonds,” said Bin Sulayem.

Bin Sulayem has been pro-active in not only upholding the principles of the KP remit, to facilitate the legitimate mining and trading of rough diamonds, but also in working closely with governments and KP working groups to promote and enhance ethical and best practices.

“Raising global awareness

of the work of the KP is key to not only report achievements, but to demonstrate how we are working to stem the flow of conflict diamonds, protect the rights of miners and improve conditions for their families in countries concerned in diamond mining and production,” he added.

The KP chairmanship 2016 is under the auspices of the UAE ministry of economy. His Excellency Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE minister of economy appointed Ahmed Bin Sulayem as KP chair in January 2016. The KP chair oversees the implementation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, the operations of the working groups and committees, and general administration and facilitation. The chair rotates annually.

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Gahcho Kué Begins Ramp-up To ProductionDe Beers (51%) and Mountain Province Diamonds (49%) said that the Gahcho Kué process plant has been commissioned, and that ore from the mine is now being fed to the process plant to signal the formal ramp-up of diamond production. The project remains on track to reach full commercial operation in the first quarter of 2017.

First ore was exposed at Gahcho Kué on March 23 2016. The commissioning phase introduced ore into the processing facility from the Gahcho Kué pit on June 20 2016 with the first commissioning of carats being recovered on June 30 2016. The mining operation has, to date, pre-stripped in excess of 20 million tonnes of waste material during the capital phase thereby ensuring sufficient exposed ore for production ramp-up.

Gahcho Kué, about 280 km north east of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories of Canada, is the largest new diamond mine under construction anywhere in the world. It is expected to produce an average of 4.5 million carats per annum over the life of the mine.

Kim Truter, chief executive officer, De Beers Canada, said Gahcho Kué will have a significant impact on the diamond industry: “Gahcho Kué will not only strengthen De Beers in Canada, but ensure Canada remains the third leading diamond producer by value in the world.”

GJSCI Certifies Third Centre Of Excellence In Kerala

The Gem & Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI) certified its third Centre of Excellence, KTB Educational & Charitable Foundation (Institute of Gems & Jewellery, Inkel) in Mallapuram, Kerala on August 12.

Rajiv Pratap Rudy, union minister of state for skill development and entrepreneurship; Rohit Nandan, principal secretary, ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship (MSDE); Jyotsna Sitling, joint secretary, (MSDE); Rajesh Agrawal, joint secretary, MSDE; Manish Kumar, CEO, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC); Premkumar Kothari, chairman, GJSCI; and Binit Bhatt, CEO, GJSCI were present on the occasion.

With Kerala being one of the country’s main jewellery hubs, the GJSCI expects KTB to play a crucial role in

imparting skills to karigars, making them employable, and uplifting their standard of living, Kothari noted. The centre in Kerala is a state-of-the-art facility with the latest equipment and staffed by qualified trainers.

The launch of the centre was followed by a meeting with Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Premkumar Kothari and Binit Bhatt, where GJSCI was offered heartfelt support for its initiatives, viz. ‘Project Vanika: Empowering Tribal Women’ and ‘Project Hupari: Preserving the Traditions’. Among the other topics discussed during the meeting were skilling karigars through the digital medium and the establishment of exclusive gems and jewellery skilling centres.

Speaking at the inauguration, Rudy said, “Employability is the need of the hour and the Skill India initiative plays a crucial role in achieving the same. The government has also changed the policy to integrate skill development with formal education because education cannot always make a person employable. It is great to have GJSCI certifying a Centre of Excellence in Kerala for our artisans here and it will soon benefit their lives.”

Binit Bhatt added, “Our aim is to ensure that the existing labour force of the gems and jewellery industry is uplifted as well as to open doors for new talent to enter the sector. This centre is going to facilitate the same vision.”

Rajiv Pratap Rudy (centre) at the certification of India’s third Centre of Excellence in Kerala.

Rajiv Pratap Rudy along with Premkumar Kothari (second from right) and Binit Bhatt (extreme right) at the ceremony.

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Prince Jewellery Opens Showroom In CoimbatorePrince Jewellery invited actor Dhanush to inaugurate its latest showroom in Coimbatore on August 17. (From left) Prince Jewellery chairman & managing director Princeson Jose, actor Dhanush, Prince Jewellery directors Antony, Joseph, and Mary Joseph pose for the cameras.

Alrosa Holds 10-ct+ Rough Auction & Polished TenderAlrosa announced an international auction of special size rough diamonds weighing upwards of 10 carats, as well as a polished diamond tender.

Auction sales will be held in the run-up to the second Eastern Economic Forum until September 3, in Vladivostok, Russky Island. Nineteen rough diamonds (19 lots) with the total weight of 1,098 carats, the property of Alrosa and Almazy Anabara, are put up for sale. The largest rough diamond to be sold at the auction weighs 401.97 carats.

A polished diamond tender for 28 diamonds will be held at the same time. Five of these diamonds weigh over 5 carats. Eighteen diamonds are fancy coloured. The largest round cut diamond is 40.25 carats.

Alrosa said it’s the first time that such auctions are held in Vladivostok. The auction results will be declared on September 3 at www.dea.alrosa.ru

A total of 30 companies from Hong Kong, Israel, India, the US, Belgium and Russia will participate in the auction. Rough diamond sales are organised by the company’s branch, the United Selling Organization of Alrosa, and polished diamond sales by Diamonds Alrosa.

The United Selling Organization of Alrosa is in charge of sorting, preliminary valuation, pre-sale preparation and sales of all Alrosa’s rough diamonds.

Diamonds Alrosa is Alrosa’s own cutting and polishing division and one of Russia’s largest diamond manufacturers. Diamonds Alrosa sells round and fancy diamonds on the domestic market and internationally, and offers its customers the entire range of polished goods (all size/weight groups, colours and qualities).

Alrosa is the official partner of the Second Eastern Economic Forum that takes place on September 2-3. The Eastern Economic Forum is held annually in Vladivostok in accordance with the decree of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin. The aim of the forum is to promote the

accelerated development of the economy of Eastern Russia and expand international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Alrosa’s delegation, headed by the president Andrey Zharkov, will participate in the events of the forum and represent a number of the company’s iron ore and gas investment projects.

Alrosa is planning to sign an agreement with the ministry for the development of the Russian Far East for its largest investment project – Diamond Mining Plant on Verkhne-Munskoe Ore Filed. The company’s total project investments throughout the mine development period will amount to $974 million (RUB62,984.3 million), with the state support for the construction of the project infrastructure of $131 million (RUB8,525.8 million).

The launch of the Eurasian Diamond Centre on the territory of the Free Port of Vladivostok will become a landmark event for the company. The unique cluster will bring together complementary companies of the diamond industry: those engaged in the production and sale of rough diamonds, manufacturers of polished diamonds and jewellery, gemmological laboratories, banks, insurance companies, specialised transport companies, and government agencies: specialised customs and state control bodies.

These rough diamonds weighing 401.97 carats (left) and 91.99 carats will be up for grabs at the auction.

IIDGR Launches Diamond Grading Partnership With UK’s NAJThe International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research (IIDGR), part of the De Beers Group of Companies, announced the agreement of a partnership with the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) for its diamond grading service in the UK, whereby NAJ members will benefit from preferential terms when they submit diamonds to the IIDGR’s UK lab for diamond grading.

Commenting on the partnership, Jonathan Kendall, president, IIDGR, said: “Working with bodies such as the NAJ, IIDGR hopes to bring consistency, accuracy and increased

security to the diamond sector. Grading is of central importance to consumer confidence and we therefore see our offer as a great fit with the work of the NAJ. We look forward to working with them and their members.”

Michael Rawlinson, CEO, NAJ, noted: “Members of the NAJ are set apart from the industry in general by their desire and endeavour to do their best, and this is their mark of quality. This partnership allows our members to access this first-class diamond grading service at the very best rates, and I hope many members will see the results for themselves.”

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De Beers Shuffles Global Sightholder Sales’ Senior ManagementDe Beers announced new appointments to the positions of senior vice president of sightholder sales and senior vice president of product planning at its Global Sightholder Sales business.

Nigel Simson will move from his current role as senior vice president of sightholder sales to head up the new product planning function that will establish closer integration between sales, product planning and product delivery, enabling the delivery of more tailored product and service offerings for rough diamond customers.

Bernard Bradley will take over from Nigel as senior vice president of sightholder sales in early September, bringing with him a noteworthy track record of strengthening customer experiences and relationships from a number of senior international sales roles.

Nigel and Bernard, who will both be based in Gaborone, Botswana, will work closely with Paul Rowley and the senior management team at Global Sightholder Sales to continue improving the business’s ability to anticipate and respond to customer needs as it progresses on De Beers’ path to becoming even more customer-centric.

Paul Rowley, executive vice president of Global Sightholder Sales, said: “I am proud of how our sales team has performed ever since the business relocated to Botswana and we have achieved great success. However, the world continues to change rapidly and we need to adopt learnings from both inside and outside the sector. I am therefore delighted to welcome Bernard, whose external experience will perfectly complement our outstanding internal expertise and insight.

“I’m equally delighted that Nigel will lead our new product planning function. With his unrivalled breadth of knowledge across customers, products and processes, he is ideally

Bernard Bradley (left) will take over from Nigel Simson (right) as senior vice president of sightholder sales.

placed to work alongside Bernard and the rest of the team to continue improving our offering to customers.”

Simson said: “As we have continued to analyse how best to address our customers’ needs, it’s become clearer that we needed to integrate different parts of the organisation more closely in order to anticipate and meet customer requirements even more effectively. It’s a real privilege to have the chance to lead the newly created function responsible for this work and I believe we can add real value to customers’ businesses through more tailored offerings.”

Bernard Bradley added: “The opportunity to join De Beers was one I simply couldn’t turn down. The diamond industry has some amazing opportunities on the horizon and I’m very excited to have the chance to work with the world’s leading diamond experts and most successful diamond companies. I’m really looking forward to working with Paul, Nigel, the rest of the team and the entire customer community.”

Bradley will join the organisation early in September 2016.

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CIBJO Urges Thailand To Strengthen Regional RoleCIBJO president Gaetano Cavalieri has proposed that Thailand position itself as the primary access point to the gemstone and jewellery industries and markets of the ASEAN bloc in Southeast Asia, serving as a centre that connects and services the entire region, and also acting as a bridge-way that links it to the world. Cavalieri was the keynote speaker at a dinner summit held in Bangkok on August 8, organised by the country’s Department of Trade Promotion (DITP), which brought together senior government and industry representatives to consider strategies for consolidating Thailand’s leadership role in the business.

DITP, which is the department within Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce responsible for promoting the country’s export industries, has recently expanded its involvement in the critically important gemstone and jewellery industry, taking over the management of the Bangkok Gems and Jewellery

Fair. Its summit in this week was presided over by Apiradi Tantraporn, the minister of commerce, who was joined by the DITP director general Malee Choklumlerd.

Reviewing the position of Thailand in the gemstone and jewellery business, Cavalieri noted that, while it undoubtedly has achieved the status of a world leader – seeing its exports grow over the past 10 years by almost 300% to about $11 billion, and peaking in 2012 at $13.1 billion – it is not always considered that way internationally.

“Thailand’s second-tier status as a centre has less to do with production and sales capacity than it has to do with the way that it is perceived in the business. He proposed that Thailand be positioned as the ASEAN jewellery trade centre, providing an easily accessible gateway to a massive region, which also includes Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Brunei.

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BDB Unfurls National Tri-colour Atop 118-ft Flag Mast

Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) installed a flag mast measuring 118 feet tall on its premises, making it the proud bearer of the second highest flag mast in Mumbai. On August 23, the Indian National Flag measuring 30 ft x 20 ft was ceremoniously hoisted at the BDB by Kirtibhai Doshi, a senior diamond merchant in Mumbai. Amrita Fadnavis, the wife of the Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, was the guest of honour.

BDB president Anoop Mehta, Mumbai Diamond Merchants Association president Bharat Shah and Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) chairman Praveenshankar Pandya were present as well. Also in attendance were the management committee of the bourse and prominent diamond traders in Mumbai.

Mumbai Police Band added a special flair and grace to the occasion by playing patriotic tunes, while BDB’s security and fire safety contingent turned out impressively for salutations. The National Tricolour will be kept flying round the clock all the days of the year, along with proper illumination of the flag mast at night.

Anoop Mehta said, “The installation of the Indian National Flag at BDB is a moment of pride for all of us. As the tricoloured Indian national flag signifies strength, peace and growth of the country, BDB signifies the rich culture of Indian craftsmanship in the Indian gems and jewellery sector that has established itself globally.”

Pandya noted, “It is a proud moment for all of us at BDB. The waving flag symbolises a feeling of pride, gratitude and honesty amongst the BDB members.”

Bharat Diamond Bourse is a conglomerate of 2,500 diamond traders that occupies a 20-acre plot and 1.18 million sq ft built-up area in BKC. The bourse is instrumental in fetching a sizable amount of foreign exchange to India and also a major employment generator. Some 60,000 people visit the bourse daily.

Swarovski’s Rajendra Jain Honoured With Top 50 Indian Icon Award

JewelOne Wins Emerging Brand Of Coimbatore Award

Gemfields Unveils Ruby Inspired Stories

Rajendra Jain, managing director – India, Swarovski Gemstones, was honoured with the Top 50 Indian Icon Award 2016 for his outstanding achievement and services to the gems and jewellery industry. The award was presented by UP tourism minister Om Prakash Singh, and M.S. Bitta, chairman of All India Anti-Terrorist Front along with other dignitaries.

The Top 50 Indian dignitaries were felicitated at the Iskon auditorium, Mumbai on July 29 for their contributions towards the development of society and growth of their industry.

Top 50 Indian Icons Award 2016 was graced by the presence of Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis as the chief guest and union minister of human resource development Prakash Javadekar as the special guest of honour.

JewelOne, the retail arm of Emerald Jewellery Industry India Ltd., Coimbatore, was awarded the Emerging Brand of Coimbatore Award for the year 2016 by the India Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Advertising Club Of Coimbatore on August 24.

K. Srinivasan, managing director of JewelOne said, JewelOne, which has proven its mettle beyond boundaries in gold jewellery, now plans a big foray in the diamond and platinum verticals across all showrooms. JewelOne plans to open showrooms in South India and gradually pan India in the near future.

Gemfields unveiled ‘Ruby Inspired Stories’, a triptych of films featuring up-and-coming global female talent, each exploring the hidden meaning behind captivating gemstones.

A long-established part of myth and tradition, and true to Gemfields’ core belief that there is ‘A Story in Every Gemstone’, rubies are said to represent passion, protection and prosperity.

Exploring the meaning of these three motifs in a contemporary world, the films celebrate the passion, vibrancy and generosity of spirit possessed by women today. Offering a compelling glimpse of a pivotal moment in three women’s lives, the short films each follow an individual storyline, creating a collective picture of life as a modern woman in today’s world.

Rajendra Jain (second from left) receiving the award from Om Prakash Singh (left), M.S. Bitta (third from left) and judge C.B. Srivastava.

In recognition of Gemfields’ global expansion, the films feature talent from around the globe: actresses Sophie Cookson and Aditi Rao Hydari and model Grace Guozhi.

Directed by award winning filmmaker Leonora Lonsdale, each film will be released in a 15-, 30- and 60-second edit, supported by a global print and social media campaign. Featuring jewellery by Gyan, Fabergé and Chelsy Davy’s new brand, Aya, the films were premiered in London.

Gemfields CEO Ian Harebottle explains: “Rubies have been renowned for their magical properties since the beginning of civilisation. As a leading supplier of responsibly sourced coloured gemstones, we wanted to explore how these beautiful and mysterious gemstones resonate with women today. The result is three very special films, each capturing a unique moment in every woman’s life in which she feels most in touch with her true self, whether that be in love, in following her own path, or in her commitment to her creative and professional dream.”

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WJA Honours Industry Leaders At 2016 Gala

The 2016 Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) Awards for Excellence Gala, which was held on July 27 in New York City, hosted over 600 attendees, and inducted three industry leaders into its WJA Hall of Fame. WJA also announced the 2016 winners of its Awards for Excellence in 10 categories. This year, the gala was held at a new location, the Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center, a century-old former opera house and one of New York’s most elegant special event destinations.

The event also raised $35,000 for the WJA Foundation’s Scholarship and Grant programme. To highlight the importance of the dinner for the latter purpose, the group also invited the winner of the WJA-Carelle Grant in honour of Brooke Tivol McGrath, Melissa Spencer of Spencer Fine Jewelry, to speak about the impact of the grant on her young business.

WJA bestowed its Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award on Sissy Jones, owner of Sissy’s Log Cabin. The Ben Kaiser Award, awarded to a deserving man who supports women leaders, was given to Peter Engel, president of Fred Meyer Jewelers. The Corporate Award was given to Ben Bridge Jeweler.

The 2016 WJA Awards for Excellence category winners were:• Design - Claudia Kretchmer, president, Steven Kretchmer.• Manufacturer/Dealer/Supplier - Tiffany Kay, owner,

Tiffany Kay. • Retail 15+ Doors - Marta Nowakowski, VP, DMM Jewelry,

Saks Fifth Avenue.• Retail <15 Doors - Jennifer Gandia & Christina Gandia

Gambale, co-owners, Greenwich St. Jewelers.• Retail Non-Traditional - Kris Kulesza, senior vice president

merchandising, Jewelry Television.• Sales - Maren Rosen, vice president, merchandising,

Stuller, Inc.• Marketing & Communications - Jen Cullen Williams,

managing director, Luxury Brand Group.

• Editorial Media - Syl Tang, contributor, Financial Times Watches & Jewellery.

• Special Services - Dona Mary Dirlam, director of RTL Library and Information Center, Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

• Watches - Michelle Peranteau, for her work as former director of marketing and communications, Baume et Mercier.

An auction and raffle were held during the dinner to raise funds for next year’s WJA scholarships and grants, and guests were also given the opportunity to donate funds via envelopes on each of the gala’s tables.

“Through your generous support, the WJA community is able to raise critical funds for our empowering and inspiring grant and scholarship programmes,” said WJA executive director Bernadette Mack. “WJA funds are helping a woman entrepreneur launch a new jewellery line in Los Angeles, aiding a student at Bowling Green State University, assisting a member from Minnesota buy new jewellery making equipment, and underwriting a military veteran who wants to make improvements to her budding designer jewellery business.”

WJA President Brandee Dallow also announced a new WJA Cindy Edelstein Mentorship Award, which will be given in future years on an as-deserved basis, to honour the late Cindy Edelstein, who owned Jeweler’s Resource Bureau and was a 20-plus year member of WJA’s board of directors. The first WJA Cindy Edelstein Mentorship Award was given to Frank Stankus, Edelstein’s husband and business partner, and Remy Stankus, her daughter.

At the WJA Awards for Excellence Gala WJA foundation president Lisa Slovis Mandel, owner of Lisa Slovis Metalsmithing, San Diego, CA, celebrates with the winner of the 2016 Carelle-WJA Grant, Melissa Spencer of Spencer Fine Jewelry, Los Angeles, CA.

Nominees for the WJA Awards for Excellence Editorial Media category celebrate at the gala (from left): Hannah Connorton, retailer account manager, Luxury & Luxury Prive - Reed Exhibitions (nominated for her work as former senior editor of National Jeweler); Shane Clark, senior fashion & accessories editor, Brides, and Barbara Palumbo, founder and editor-in-chief, Adornmentality.com.

Nominees in the WJA Awards for Excellence Sales and Merchandising category celebrate at the gala (from left): Maren Rosen, vice president, merchandising, Stuller Inc.; Rachel Jackson, jewellery director, The Knot; and Nikki Siegel, executive vice president, Armenta.

Nominees in the WJA Awards for Excellence Retail - 15 or More Doors category celebrate at the gala (from left): Jamie Singleton, senior vice president, Signet Jewelers; Tobey Ritchie, vice president of development, Harry Ritchie’s Jewelers; and Jacqueline Cassaway, divisional vice president, Helzberg Diamonds.

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