The NAJ 2019 Awards Winners Announced

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The NAJ 2019 Awards Winners Announced

SOLIHULL, December 2019 – Attendees at the Benevolent Society Ball witnessed 11 front runners of the industry recognised as part of the NAJ’s Annual Awards ceremony on December 5, 2019, supported by sponsor Jewellery & Watch.

Now in its fifth year at the festive, fun-?lled and increasingly popular ball, the NAJ Awards attracted guests from across the UK and internationally, including Italy, Germany, Ireland and France, as companies, individuals and teams were recognised for their professionalism, honesty and integrity.

The NAJ 2019 Awards Winners Announced

Left to right; NAJ Chair Harriet Kelsall, the four strong Purely Diamonds team collecting the Retailer of the Year Award sponsored by Hockley Mint, who are represented by MD Gary Wroe far right.

The glittering ceremony was hosted by NAJ Chief Executive, Simon Forrester and NAJ Chair, Harriet Kelsall who presented each winner with their awards, and paid tribute to the talent in the jewellery industry,

“This is one of my favourite events in the jewellery industry calendar. Of course, massive congratulations to the winners but also congratulations to those who were shortlisted. The talent in our industry is overwhelming and in order for the industry to thrive in the future we need to recognise, champion and celebrate excellence as much as we possibly can.

“At this event [the ball] it’s also important to recognise the generosity of the individuals who help to raise funds for the Benevolent Society, that can then be reinvested into people of the trade where it is really needed.”

At the ceremony Purely Diamonds scooped two awards with Retailer of the Year and Sales Manager Tracey Jones taking home Sales Person of the Year, while Hockley Mint picked up the award for Jewellery/Watch Supplier of the Year.

Retailer Drakes returned to Plymouth with the Physical Shop Front of the year award, while Sheffield’s PA Jewellery made the return leg to Yorkshire with the Team of the Year award. Bond Jewellery perhaps had the shortest trip of any victorious retailer back to Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter with their award for Website of the Year.

The hotly contested Workshop Professional of the Year was won by Alexander Wood who has recently completed his apprenticeship with Nathaniel Groves, while Designer of the Year was awarded to Julien Riad Sahyoun who continued his success from the UK Jewellery Awards earlier in the year.

Popular teacher, writer and dealer Kerry Gregory from Gemmology Rocks was awarded Service Provider of the Year, while Innovation of the Year went to MyriamSOS who cut her holiday short to make the event. And finally, Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative of the Year was won by Monica Vinader.

Attending the Awards for the first time, and as Headline Sponsor, David Sutton from diamond marketplace Nivoda said:

“We were honoured to have the opportunity to support the NAJ Awards this year.It was an excellent night that really celebrated those doing great things in our industry. We can’t wait to see what the next 12 months bring!”

The winners of the NAJ Awards 2019 are:

Headline Sponsor: Nivoda

Physical Shop Front of the Year – Drakes

Sponsored by: VM & Events Ltd

Innovation of the Year – MyriamSOS

Sponsored by: Clarity & Success

Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative of the Year – Monica Vinader

Sponsored by: Pursuit

Website of the Year – Bond Jewellery & Diamonds

Sponsored by: IJL

Jewellery and/or Watch Supplier of the Year – Hockley Mint

Sponsored by: Inhorgenta Munich

Service Provider of the Year – Gemmology Rocks

Sponsored by: Parify

Retailer of the Year – Purely Diamonds, Manchester

Sponsored by: Hockley Mint

Sales Person of the Year – Tracey Jones (Purely Diamonds)

Sponsored by: Windiam

Team of the Year – The PA Jewellery Team

Sponsored by: TH March

Designer of the Year – Julien Riad Sahyoun

Sponsored by: Clogau

Workshop Professional of the Year – Alexander Wood, apprentice to Nathanial Groves

Sponsored by: Presman Mastermelt