The All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) held a glittering event on February 15, 2020 to felicitate the winners of the 9th edition of the annual National Jewellery Awards (NJA).

In all 35 awards in eight categories were distributed on the occasion. Actor Sharad Kelkar   hosted the event and actress Esha Gupta gave away awards in several categories, adding glamour and glitz to the function.

The following were the winners:

-  Malabar Gold Pvt. Ltd. won the CSR award.

-  Mahesh Jain from PB Society Jewellers, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, was honoured with the Anmol Ratna award.

-  Gem of the Year North – Subhash Bhola (BholaSons Jewellers Delhi

-  Gem of the Year West – Atul J. Shah, Chandukaka Saraf, Pune

-  Gem of the Year South – AS Sriram, ANS Jewelry Salem

-  Gem of the Year East – Madanlal Bamalwa, Nemichand Bamalwa & Sons, Kolkata.

-  Prerna Khurana from Khurana Jewellers, Amritsar, won the Woman Entrepreneur Award

-  Sanjib Dey won the Designer Award (Hand Sketch/ CAD)

-  Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers won the Artisan/ Craftsman Award

Apart from these 10 students won scholarships worth Rs. 1 lakh each (total of Rs. 10 lakh) from the International Institute of Gemology (IIG). These students are: Rishav Sharma; Mir Aminur Rahaman; Dinkey Bagaria; Sumana Das; Vaishali Jain; Neoty Patra; Khushboo Moryani; Ritika Paliwal (from Sawansukha Institute); Swetha Shanmuhavel (NIFT Chennai); and Seema Bubna (INSD).

Other awards were as follows:

-  Single Store of The Year Awards were given to Kulthiaa Jewel (East); Sona Chandi (North); Malabar Gold (South); and KK Jewels (West)

-  The Campaign of The Year Winner award went to Viswa and Devji Diamonds Private Limited.

-  Jewellery Award Winners are: The Bride's Pride (Gold Bridal Jewellery of the Year) - C. Krishnaiah Chetty & Sons (P) Ltd.; The Bride's Pride (Diamond Bridal Jewellery of the Year) - Mehta Emporium Jewellers; The Bride's Pride (Jadau Bridal Jewellery of the Year) - Sabine Jewellers;  Couture Jewellery of the Year (Gold or Diamond)- Sawansukha Jewellers Pvt. Ltd.; The New-Age Women's Jewellery (9 To 5 Jewellery - Gold or Diamond) - Bhindi Jewellers;  The Touch of Colour (Colourstone Jewellery of the Year) - Narayan Jewellers Pvt. Ltd.;  Platinum Jewellery of the Year - Emerald Jewel Industry India Limited;  Paramparik Jewellery - An Artisan's Pride - Mahabir Danwar Jewellers Pvt. Ltd.;  Zirconia Jewellery of the Year - AVR Swarna Mahal Jewelry Private Limited;  Bangle/Bracelet/Kada of the Year - Kays Jewels Limited;  Ring of the Year - Hanumant Diamonds;  Earring of the Year - Enshine;  All Eyes On Him (Men's Jewellery of the Year) - Kirtilal Kalidas Jewellers Pvt Ltd.; Accessory of the Year - Abhinandan Jewellers; Traditional Silver Jewellery of the Year - Sri Vasavi Thanga Maaligai.

Anantha Padmanaban, Chairman, GJC, commented: “The winners of GJC’s most prestigious and eagerly awaited NJ Awards 2019 clearly indicate that small, medium and large jewellers from diverse parts of India are now taking centrestage and competing to win amongst the best in the country. The entire country should applaud their relentless spirit, energy and enthusiasm as they are marching on despite several challenges in the business environment. NJ Awards salute India's legendary heritage and culture of producing one of world’s finest jewellery especially handcrafted ones. NJA proves that India has immense pool of talent of artisans and craftsmen as well as young students taking up the profession. We are happy that each of the student winners will get a scholarship of Rs. 1 lakh sponsored by the education partner International Institute of Gemology (IIG).”

Ashish Pethe, Convener, NJ Awards, Director GJC, added, “GJC has ensured that NJA becomes bigger and better than ever before with 770 nominations from all over India. This year, NJA awards honoured those who showcased creativity, innovation, inspiration, passion, craft and devotion. NJA awards honoured the rich Indian artistic acumen and creative designs in the Make in India gems and jewellery industry. It paid rich tributes to the business & marketing acumen of the jewellery manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, aspiring jewellery designers, craftsman and students of gems and jewellery industry who fought against all odds to win a customer.”

Ashish Kothari, Co-Convener, NJ Awards, GJC, said, “Every shortlisted nominee is also a winner as choosing the winners was a very difficult task due to the high quality of the entries. Everyone demonstrated phenomenal creativity and diversity in their entries for various categories such as Bridal in Gold, Diamond, Platinum, Jadau, etc.; Men’s Jewellery, Accessory of the Year; Silver Jewellery of the Year winners of NJA 2019, etc. The winner’s creations reflected the aspirations and designs of the modern consumer while upholding our design legacy.”

Nilesh Shobawat, Co-convener, NJA, GJC, remarked:  "We are grateful to our sponsors NSE, e-Johri, World Gold Council, Swarovski Gemstones, Forevermark, International Institute of Gemology, Laxmi Diamond, Jai Gulab Dev Jewellers and BVC amongst others. We are grateful to the jury members and Ernst & Young. We are grateful to members for sending so many entries and participating whole heartedly in the process. We thank the gem & jewellery institutes and design academies for sending large number of entries.”