The Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA) is thrilled to announce the judging panel for the 2017 JAA Australasian Jewellery Awards. The JAA Jewellery Awards recognise the best emerging and experienced jewellery designers in Australia and New Zealand in a variety of categories that allow them to showcase their individual skills and talents.
 
The judging panel is comprised of industry leaders selected for their skills, experience and knowledge of the Australasian jewellery industry. The panel represents all facets of the industry from retailers and manufacturers, to small and large businesses.
 
The judges for the 2017 JAA Australasian Jewellery Awards are:
 

Jason Ree:  Jason Ree began making jewellery soon after leaving high school. Travelling through Europe, Ree was struck by the elegant artistry of the Art Nouveau Period which inspired him to become a jeweller. After working for his father, John, Ree opened his own shop Diamond Design by Jason Ree in the Dymocks Building in Sydney. Jason won the JAA ‘Jeweller of the Year Award’ in 2002 and will be a valuable addition to the 2017 judging panel.

Ben Preston-Black: Ben Preston-Black has been immersed in the world of jewellery since age four. After completing his apprenticeship he joined the family business Creations Jewellers in Manuka, Canberra where his passion for local jewellery manufacturing solidified. Preston-Black won the JAA ‘Diamond Design Award’ in 2014 with a piece titled “Falling Water” and is delighted to be joining the 2017 judging panel.
 

 Jo Tory: Jo Tory possesses over 30 years’ experience in the Australian jewellery industry as the founder and Creative Director of jewellery house Najo. Inspired by the exotic art and culture of far off destinations, Jo has skilfully stayed true to the Najo brand through its mission: Self-Expression by Design. With extensive knowledge of the retail and manufacturing sectors, Jo brings passion and individuality to the 2017 JAA Jewellery Awards judging panel. 

Andrew Pitcairn: With commissions for members of the Royal Family and exclusive jewellery houses in London, Andrew Pitcairn is considered a master of his craft. He completed a five-year diamond mounting apprenticeship and studied jewellery design and manufacturing at the City of London University. Andrew later returned to the University to lecture on platinum, his speciality. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths (UK) and a member of the Guild of Gold and Silversmiths of Australia (GGSA).

 The panel features an array of talents well suited to judge the prestigious biennial industry event which is to be held in August this year. The panel has been selected in addition to the judges of the mywedding ‘Bridal Award - Tradition with a Twist’ and the mywedding ‘People’s Choice Award’ which will see the winners chosen by the mywedding General Manager and the online readers of mywedding respectively.