The inaugural edition of The JNA Awards was held on September 20, 2012, during the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair. The event was a grand success as more than 450 guests from the worldwide diamond, gemstone and jewellery industry made their presence felt as the venue resonated with their cheers for the honorees. %% Letitia Chow, the founder of JNA and director of business development for Jewellery Group at UBM Asia, said, ''The success of the inaugural JNA Awards ceremony and gala dinner has been tremendous. I am proud to announce that we have achieved our main goal to provide the industry with a benchmark for excellence and achievement. I would like to thank you all that helped us to make it possible. We are looking forward to the same success at the JNA Awards 2013.'' %% Speaking on the occasion, Kent Wong, the managing director of Chow Tai Fook, said, ''When we signed the JNA Awards partnership agreement months ago, we knew that it would be a great success. Last night's event surpassed our expectations. It was of course an entertaining evening but was also an excellent opportunity for many key people of our industry to network. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the honorees and recipients who brought excellence to the awards.'' %% Nicky Oppenheimer, the former chairman of the De Beers Group, was presented with JNA's Lifetime Achievement Award marking his immense contribution of 44 years to the diamond. Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co. Ltd., was awarded the Brand of the Year Award owing to its principles of ‘sincerity’ and ‘eternity’ and its strong grip over Greater China. %% Dharmanandan Diamonds Pvt. Ltd bagged the award of Employer of the Year for creating invigorating environs for its employees. The Industry Innovation of the Year award for manufacturing was presented to TTF High Jewellery of Shenzhen for the consistency in producing jewellery pieces of excellent design and craftsmanship. While the Industry Innovation of the Year award for retail went to Plukka (HK) Ltd. for the optimum use of social media and marketing while increasing the awareness of group buying to a larger audience. %% The Pranda Group of Thailand was awarded Manufacturer of the Year for the incessant supply of high-quality jewellery of its own brand to world’s leading retail chains. Luk Fook Holdings was awarded Retailer of the Year and Jewelmer International Corporation received the Sustainability Initiative of the Year award for its golden South Sea cultured pearls. %% Chris Benham, co-founder of The Inspired Collection, was named as the Young Leader of the Year. Benham, 30, is awinner of many international design awards since founding his New Zealand-based company in 2009. %% Jean-Marc Lieberherr, the chief commercial officer of Rio Tinto Diamonds, said, ''Rio Tinto congratulates the organizers of the inaugural JNA Awards, which culminated in a wonderful event. We are extremely proud to be able to contribute to the development of innovation and new opportunities in this industry, particularly in the Chinese jewellery market. We congratulate all the honorees and recipients and look forward to a long association with this important event.'' %%