The Jewellery Industry Network was formed in September 2020, spearheaded by former Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA) vice president Laura Moore. Angkham (Andy) Phanthapangna was also a founding director and departed in December 2024 amid the collapse of several of his companies, leaving more than $14 million in liabilities.
When the Jewellery Industry Network was launched, it was promoted as “Australia’s largest network of jewellers”.
This was presumably due to its association with Young Jewellers Group (YJG), a company which operates a Facebook page known as Jewellers Co.
The directors of YJG - Brett Low and Ewen Ryley - were also founding directors and shareholders of the Jewellery Industry Network, until May 2023.
Following the publication of new information about the collapse of companies associated with the Jewellery Industry Network, Phanthapangna, and Moore, on 17 December the pair issued a statement titled, ‘Statement from Brett Low and Ewen Ryley’.
As a matter of transparency, the Jewellers Co. statement has been published in its entirety below. In particular, it is intended to clarify their previous involvement with the Jewellery Industry Network.
Low and Ryley have confirmed that they resigned from Jewellery Industry Network (JIN) in May 2023 and explained that they “stepped away” to focus on their own businesses.
“Since then, we have had no involvement in, visibility over, or insight into the governance, management, operations, or decision-making of JIN or any related entities,” the statement reads.
“During our tenure at JIN, Laura Moore was the General Manager and was responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation, including operations, marketing and finances.”
Crucial information
Low and Ryley also provided an explanation regarding their involvement with the Jewellery Industry Fair and Jewellery Industry Summit, events organised by the Jewellery Industry Network.
“We also worked alongside Laura [Moore] on industry trade fairs while we were involved with JIN, however Laura remained responsible for operations, marketing and financial management of those activities.”
This clarification was also crucial because while the pair were directors of the Jewellery Industry Network, the company became embroiled in a costly legal battle.
Background reading: Surprising twist in Jewellery Industry Network connections
Low and Ryley’s resignations from Jewellery Industry Network in May 2023 coincided with the timing of a Federal Court case over misleading and deceptive conduct by Jewellery Industry Network, which was subsequently settled out of court in July 2023.
“Our initial involvement with JIN was driven by a genuine passion for the industry and a desire to support our peers,” the statement continues.
“We did not receive any payment, distributions or financial benefit from JIN at any stage. It represented a significant investment of time and effort, without financial gain.”
Time to move on
Jeweller had previously noted the absence of any support from Jewellers Co. at Moore's Jewellery Industry Fair, hosted in Sydney in September.
Jewellers Co. had previously featured heavily as a supporter and sponsor of the Jewellery Industry Network and its Sydney and Melbourne jewellery fairs.
However, the company’s logo and endorsement are now absent from the Jewellery Industry Network website.
Low and Ryley clarified the circumstances of their disassociation from the Jewellery Industry Network and Jewellery Industry Fairs, and emphasised that they would continue to work for the betterment of the broader jewellery trade in Australia.
“While we continue to be committed to the jewellery industry, any ongoing industry involvement from us now sits outside of JIN,” the statement explains.
“We have moved on and are focused on growing our own businesses and networks, and that is where our time and energy is directed.”
As mentioned, the Jewellers Co. Facebook page was formerly known as Young Jewellers Group (YJG). It was formed in 2011 in response to an industry-wide call for young people to unite under an informal 'industry banner'.
At the time, Low and Ryley were employed as young bench jewellers. They established a private company tasked with operating a Facebook page called Young Jewellers Group.
The initiative was launched following a meeting at the International Jewellery Fair in Sydney in August 2011. Expertise Events assisted by hosting a cocktail party for the first meeting of YJG.
The Facebook page was an ‘overnight success’ with 47 members joining almost immediately.
“A recent story in Jeweller magazine has put a call-out for young jewellers to get together and form a group,” the page explained at the time.
“This group [Facebook page] was formed to see how much interest we could get and to gather ideas of what we want and need out of such a group. Show your support here!! We are the future of this trade!”
Ryley later told Jeweller that the group had quickly generated widespread interest.
“Even though the Young Jewellers Group Facebook page is new, members have already been posting pictures, links and details about competitions. It seems to be a great success so far. There are young jewellers - up to the age of 35, I believe - from all over Australia, from as far as Perth,” he explained.
By December 2011, YJG had 300 members.
In subsequent years, the group’s success continued, and it later renamed the Facebook page to Jewellers Co. The company is still Young Jewellers Group.
These days, Low and Ryley operate their own Queensland-based jewellery stores.
Low is a director of Deer Honey Jewellery, while Ryley is the creative director of Ryley Jewellery Creations.
More reading
Surprising twist in Jewellery Industry Network connections and collapses
Jewellery Industry Network: Insolvency connections everywhere you look
Jewellery Industry Network: Unravelling a web of collapsing companies
Jewellery Industry Network: Connecting the dots in a $14 million collapse
Last one standing: Jewellery Industry Network linked to three collapsed companies