Pallion will sponsor the JDA precious metal category and adds to an increasing number of businesses, including Etihad Airways, Armaguard and Australian Women’s Weekly, that have shown support for the awards program.
As previously reported by Jeweller, the JDA was developed to recognise and promote the talents of Australian and New Zealand jewellers and apprentices. It will be held during the International Jewellery Fair (IJF) that runs next year from 26 August to 28 August.
Pallion CEO Andrew Cochineas said the decision to sponsor the category reflected his company’s efforts to support the future of precious metals manufacturing in the local market.
“We are proud to sponsor the Jewellery Design Awards as we recognise the benefit they will bring to the jewellery industry in bringing us together,” Cochineas explained.
“Supporting the Jewellery Design Awards, which supports and celebrates up-and-coming jewellery designers and makers, is one of the many industry initiatives we [Pallion] get behind.”
Expertise Events managing director and JDA organiser Gary Fitz-Roy said the Pallion sponsorship indicated that the awards program was achieving an overall goal of connecting the trade.
“We initiated these awards with the objective to unite the industry, and having the support of a recognised precious metal expert committed to delivering the finest in precious metals, signifies we’re on the right track,” he explained.
Fitz-Roy added that the total value of the prize pool now stood at more than $60,000, meaning designers and manufacturers had “every incentive” to participate in the awards.
High-profile support
The Pallion announcement follows news of several other JDA sponsorship agreements.
A first prize, known as the Supreme Award, includes two business class tickets and four nights’ accommodation to attend BaselWorld courtesy of Etihad Airways and Armaguard as well as a full-page advertisement in Australian Women’s Weekly magazine.
Cosmopolitan Bride magazine will sponsor the Bridal award, while in September, Pandora was confirmed as the sponsor for the two apprentice categories.
At the time, Pandora Australia and New Zealand managing director Brien Winther said the decision aligned with the company’s support of the local trade’s future.
“We’re passionate about investing in the future of our industry and providing educational experiences to up-and-coming jewellery designers,” he stated.
There are 12 JDA categories and entrants will be judged on relevance to the design theme, intelligent use of materials and sizes as well as presentation in a retail environment and commercial viability. The Supreme Award winner will be determined by the entry that receives the highest score out of all finalists across each category.
The prizes are said to be category-specific and aim to benefit a jeweller’s business.
Visit the IJF website for more information.
Pallion is the parent company of Palloys, ABC Bullion, ABC Refinery, AGS PJW, A&E Metals, Regentco, GoldenAge International and Custodian Vaults.
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