Unlike traditional jewellery awards that celebrate jewellery design and manufacturing excellence, the Jewellery Industry Awards (JIAs) focus on the individuals and businesses that make up the industry.
The JIAs were launched in 2014 and, in addition to the inaugural categories of best jewellery retailer, best jewellery manufacturer and best sales representative, next year’s program will include the Outstanding Contribution Award.
This new award will be presented to an individual that has had a major influence on the jewellery industry and is in honour of the late jeweller, Ann Middleton, who passed away in July this year.
The deadline for nominations is Wednesday 31 December and winners will be announced on Saturday 28 February as part of the JAA Australian Jewellery Fair at the Gold Coast.
Benchies at the fair
The 2015 Gold Coast jewellery fair program will also include an initiative called the Jewellers Bench.
According to trade show organiser Fair Events, the feature received a positive response when it was first introduced at this year’s International Jewellery Fair in Sydney. It will again be organised by the Young Jewellers Group (YJG) and involves live demonstrations of several jewellery techniques, including CAD drawing, manufacturing, setting and engraving.
Commenting on the addition of the Jewellers Bench, Fair Events managing director Gary Fitz-Roy said, “We are excited and committed to continue to grow the profile of both young jewellers and manufacturing jewellers.
“One-off designs, modifications and repairs are an important part of the jewellery business, and whilst the fair’s focus is dominated by brands, it’s equally important to focus on and highlight the components of stones, CAD, equipment and other jewellery suppliers.”
As previously reported by Jeweller, the Jewellers Bench is a prelude to the YJG Jewellery Design and Manufacturing Championships – a national competition for jewellery manufacturers that is scheduled to debut at the 2015 Sydney trade show.
The JAA Australian Jewellery Fair will be held from Saturday 28 February to Sunday 1 March at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. It will also coincide with the inaugural Jewellery Industry Conference, which has been developed to help retailers increase sales and better manage their businesses.
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