Informa Markets Jewellery is celebrating the 40th edition of Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong (JGW) – previously known as the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair – by honoring the exceptional achievements of 40 extraordinary individuals who have helped shape and continue to make a positive difference in the jewelry industry today.

The engine driving a global jewelry portfolio consisting of the biggest and most iconic B2B fairs and events in Hong Kong and other key cities around the world, Informa Markets Jewellery is also behind flagship publication, JNA; one of the industry’s most popular B2B online communities – JewelleryNet, and two of the sector’s most prestigious awards programs – Jewellery World Awards (JWA) and its regional edition, JWA Dubai.

To commemorate JGW’s 40th edition, JWA is launching a months-long recognition campaign, which will culminate in a Hong Kong celebration in September – the fair’s first in-person gala event in the city since 2019.

JWA is purposely taking on the “Extraordinary 40” theme and a unique selection process this year to highlight JGW’s industry milestone. It also serves as a fitting highpoint to nearly a year-long celebration commemorating four decades of JNA, Asia’s leading jewelry and gemstone trade publication. Coincidentally, it was JNA that launched the predecessor to today’s JWA about 12 years ago – the JNA Awards.

“By recognising the achievements of our 40 JWA champions, we are also honoring the 40-year legacy of JGW and JNA, which is a celebration of the very best in the industry,” said David Bondi, senior vice president of Informa Markets in Asia.

“Beyond the Awards, we see so many shining examples of individuals who have achieved incredible success even under the most dire circumstances. They are trailblazers, innovators, educators and creatives. They are ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things, especially in the last three pandemic years. Whittling down our winners list to the fabulous 40 has been impossibly challenging because there are so many truly deserving of this award. By honoring our 40 jewelry champions, however, we hope to send out the message that every gemstone cutter, every jewelry artisan and every designer out there matters. They are the true gems in our very unique industry.”

JWA’s “Extraordinary 40” winners were handpicked by Informa’s international team comprising in-house experts and independent third parties who possess deep knowledge and experience in distinct areas of the industry. The Awardees span different geographies and areas of specialization, including jewelry design and manufacturing; core product categories such as diamonds, colored gemstones, pearls and technology, among others, and advocacies and outstanding business practices encompassing social responsibility, sustainability, education and innovation.

The selection process commenced last November and will conclude in March.

“All of the Awardees possess the core values that make our industry great – the continuous dedication to the pursuit of excellence, the boldness to go beyond their comfort zones to learn and try new things, and the passion to inspire others while achieving business success,” said Celine Lau, Director of Jewellery Fairs at Informa Markets Jewellery.

“JWA, in a way, mirrors our ever-changing and ever-growing industry, and reflects the September Hong Kong Fair’s 40-year journey. What started in 1983 as a trade show with only 110 exhibitors is now recognized as a positive force for our community. Pre-pandemic, the B2B fair brought together thousands of exhibitors and buyers from over 130 countries and regions, and will do so again with Hong Kong and Mainland China reopening their borders to the outside world this year. Even more significantly, our flagship jewelry fair has fortified Hong Kong’s position as the most powerful sourcing destination for the global jewelry industry. ”

Extraordinary 40

The 40 JWA 2023 winners will receive personalized award announcements across all of Informa Markets Jewellery’s social media channels as well as coverage on JNA, press releases and eNewsletters. The awardees will also be invited to participate in a high-profile seminar series, which will be held during JGW’s show days in September.