The Canadian jewellery industry had plenty to celebrate at the Canadian Jewellers Association’s (CJA’s) annual gathering in Toronto, Ont., where five businesses and industry leaders received top honours and a new board of directors was announced for 2027.

Held October 26 at the Fairmont Royal York, the CJA’s 107th Annual General Meeting (AGM) was followed by the 4th Annual CJA Industry Summit and Awards Dinner, bringing together more than 300 members and industry professionals for a day of networking, learning, and recognition.

Five winners take home top CJA honours

The 2026 CJA Awards Dinner, sponsored by The Harbour Group of RBC Dominion Securities, recognized outstanding achievements across Canada’s jewellery industry. Finalists from across the country gathered for the evening, with winners selected following deliberations by a panel of 10 judges.

This year’s winners are:

• Independent Retailer of the Year: Bijouterie Italienne, Montreal, Que.
• Multi-Store Retailer of the Year: L’Oro Jewellery, Etobicoke, Ont.
• Supplier of the Year: Pierres de Charme Inc., Montreal, Que.
• Emerging Business of the Year: Proud Diamond, St-Lambert, Que.
• Erol Paylan Impact Award: Habib Malo, Malo Creations, Montreal, Que.

In a special recognition, Jewellers Vigilance Canada and Jewelers Mutual presented the Award of Merit to Halton Regional Police for their work on Project Pinnacle. The award recognizes police services that go above and beyond their usual duties to investigate and apprehend individuals responsible for crimes against the jewellery industry.

CJA names its 2027 board of directors

The association also announced its 2027 Board of Directors following the AGM, with members voting on and accepting the incoming leadership team.

Chau Lui of Paris Jewellers in Edmonton, Alta., and Eric Senftleben of Citizen Watch Canada Ltd. in Markham, Ont., will serve as co-chairs.

Angela Betteridge of Angela Betteridge Jewellery in Kelowna, B.C., will remain on the board as past chair, while Shant Purutoglu of Gem Lab Appraisal Services in Toronto, Ont., takes on the role of first vice-chair. Arka Akkelian of Canadian Gem in Montreal, Que., will serve as second vice-chair.

The directors include:

• Marco Pasteris, Birks Group, Montreal, Que.
• Kevin Vantyghem, Vantyghem Diamonds, Kitchener, Ont.
• Tom Hart, C.J. Ltd., Dartmouth, N.S.
• Pramendra Baid, La Pierre Precieuse Inc., Montreal, Que.
• Simon Marcil, Tech-Emotion, Montreal, Que.
• Simon Thomas, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group, Neenah, Wis., U.S.

The CJA, which has represented Canada’s jewellery industry since 1918, advocates for the integrity, security, and profitability of its members’ businesses while working to build consumer trust and confidence in the industry.

For the full list of award winners and more information about the CJA’s leadership, visit canadianjewellers.com.