-- Projecting the Best of Japanese Jewellery to the World

TOKYO, Aug. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The results of the prestigious Japan Jewellery Association 2013 Jewellery Design Awards were announced at the Japan Jewellery Fair which opened in Tokyo today, organised by UBM Japan Co Ltd. These prominent annual awards, organised by the Japan Jewellery Association and supported by various government departments, are intended to promote the advancement of jewellery culture in Japan under the slogan of "Projecting the Best of Japanese Jewellery to the World."

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There are three categories of JJA Jewellery Design Awards. Jewellery in the "Professional" category is judged according to levels of design, technique and quality. Items in the "Theme" category are judged based on their appropriateness for the Japan Jewellery Association's "Bonds of Love" campaign. Meanwhile the "Newcomer" category is for jewellery created by students and young designers and that challenges traditional concepts.

This year there were 126 entries for the awards, with a total of 185 jewellery pieces submitted for the three categories. The number of the entries was 50% higher than the previous year.

Mr Hayashi Maruyama, Chairman of the Japan Jewellery Association, said: "I could strongly feel the creative enthusiasm and passion of the entrants from their jewellery this year. The judges and I were all very happy to see the dramatic increase of the number of entries, which indicates to us the strength of the surge in creativity in Japan's jewellery industry today."

Mr Ichiro Iino, Chairman of the Judging Committee, who is a professor of the Tokyo University of the Arts commented, "The Grand Prize winner was exquisite not only in its design and techniques but also in its presentation and imagination as a total package."

Of the 126 entries, 38 entries, totalling 59 jewellery pieces, were selected for awards and put on display in the exhibition hall. In addition, the top eight winners were presented their awards at a special award ceremony and fashion show held on the Event Stage at the exhibition.

After being displayed at the Japan Jewellery Fair, the award winning pieces will go on display at the world's largest jewellery fair, the September Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair. After that they will be put on display at the Lalique Museum in Hakone, Japan, from October.

The eight main awards are as follows:

The Japan Jewellery Grand Prize and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Prize
Entered by: Kaji International Co Ltd, Creative Team
Designer: Mr Takeshi Kaji, Creative Team
Production: Kaji International Co Ltd, Creative Team
Title: Story From The Universe
Description: Ring and Ring Stand Set
Materials: Pt900, Diamond, Meteorite

The Minister of Health, Labour, and Welfare Prize
Entered by: Tokyo Kiho Corporation
Designer: Ms Kazuyo Ishikawa
Production: Tokyo Kiho Corporation
Title: Sakura -- for New Born Babies
Description: Necklace
Materials: K18 (PG & WG), Silver, Diamonds

The Governor of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Prize
Entered by: Juno Corporation
Designer: Ms Miwako Yokota
Production: Juno Corporation.
Title: Air
Description: Bangle
Materials: K18 (WG & YG), Diamonds

Chairman of the Japan Jewellery Association Prize
Entered by: Tokyo Kiho Corporation
Designer: Ms Sayoko Wakabayashi
Production: Tokyo Kiho Corporation
Title: Bonds of Love
Description: Ring * Pendant Top
Materials: K18WG, Diamonds

Best New Designer Prize
Entered by: Ms Masumi Takei
Designer: Ms Masumi Takei
Production: Ms Masumi Takei
Title: Aurora -- Swinging Heart
Description: Necklace, Bangle, Ring Set
Materials: Silver

Chairman of the Japan Pearl Promotion Society Prize
Entered by: Kuwayama Corporation
Designer: Kuwayama Corporation
Production: Kuwayama Corporation
Title: - Karin -
Description: Necklace
Materials: Pt850, Pt900, K18, Diamond,
Akoya Pearl, Pinctada maxima

Chairman of the Japan Jewellery Designers Association Prize
Entered by: Mr Shinpei Yamamoto
Designer: Mr Shinpei Yamamoto
Production: Mr Shinpei Yamamoto
Title: Put Hands on Top of Each Other
Description: Ring
Materials: K18YG, Opal, Sapphire, Cloisonné (Shippo)

The Platinum Guild International Prize
Entered by: Atelier Hiroumi
Designer: Atelier Hiroumi Design Room
Production: Mr Takaharu Hiroumi
Title: Planet Necklace
Description: Necklace
Materials: Pt950, Aquamarine, Diamonds

Notes to Editors

1.    About UBM Japan Co Ltd (www.ubmjapan.com)
UBM Japan Co Ltd, one of Japan's leading exhibition organisers, is a subsidiary of UBM Asia. UBM Japan Co Ltd is a leading business-to-business media and market information company and their activities in Japan encompass trade shows, publishing, conferences and seminars and on-line media. The portfolio of UBM Japan Co Ltd covers a wide range of sectors including health, beauty, food, pharmaceutical, jewellery, maritime and information technology. The company's strength lies in providing market access for international companies seeking to enter the Japanese market, as well as assisting Japanese companies to expand into overseas markets.

Japan Jewellery Fair (www.japanjewelleryfair.com) is a major professional tradeshow held annually in Tokyo for the jewellery industry. It is co-organised by UBM Japan Co Ltd and the Japan Jewellery Association. Japan Jewellery Fair 2013 is the 21st edition of the exhibition.

2.    About UBM Asia (www.ubmasia.com)
Owned by UBM plc listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia is Asia's leading exhibition organiser and the biggest commercial organiser in mainland China, India and Malaysia. Established with its headquarters in Hong Kong and subsidiary companies across Asia and in the US, UBM Asia has a strong global presence in 25 major cities with 30 offices and over 1,400 staff.

With a track record spanning over 30 years, UBM Asia operates in 21 market sectors with 160 dynamic face-to-face exhibitions, 75 high-level professional conferences, 28 targeted trade publications, 18 round-the-clock vertical portals and virtual event services for over 1,000,000 quality exhibitors, visitors, conference delegates, advertisers and subscribers from all over the world. We provide a one-stop diversified global service for high-value business matching, quality market news and online trading networks.

UBM Asia has extensive office networks in China, Southeast Asia and India, three of the world's fastest growing B2B events markets. UBM China has 11 offices in the major cities in mainland China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu and Shenzhen, where we organise more than 60 exhibitions and conferences. In ASEAN, UBM Asia operates from its offices in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines with over 50 events in this region. UBM India teams in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad organise 20 exhibitions and 60 conferences every year across the country.

3.      About UBM plc (www.ubm.com)
UBM plc is a global events-led marketing services and communications company.  We help businesses do business, bringing the world's buyers and sellers together at events and online, as well as producing and distributing news and specialist content.  Our 5,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organised into expert teams which serve commercial and professional communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.

For more information, go to www.ubm.com; follow us on Twitter at @UBM_plc to get the latest UBM corporate news.

For press enquiries, please contact:
Jennifer Law, Director of Corporate Marketing & Communications, UBM Asia
Tel: +852-2516-1691
Fax: +852-3749-7342
Email: Jennifer.Law@ubm.com

Vicky Cheung, Senior Corporate Marketing & Communications Executive, UBM Asia
Tel: +852-2516-1679
Fax: +852-3749-7342
Email: Vicky.Cheung@ubm.com

SOURCE UBM Asia