We believe excellence deserves recognition. For over 100 years, the Canadian Jewellers Association Awards have honoured the achievements of individuals and companies across all areas of Canada’s jewellery industry.
CJA: Over 100 Years of Prestige :
The Canadian Jewellers Association Awards, CJA Awards, were founded to honour the incredible achievements of individuals and companies involved in all areas of the jewellery industry across Canada.
Each award category was carefully designed to honour recipients who demonstrate excellence in:
Each award category was carefully designed to honour recipients who demonstrate excellence in:
Industry and Client Relations
Innovation and Growth
Education and Leadership
Ethics and Integrity
The 2026 CJA Award Winners will Be announced LIVE at the CJA Awards Dinner
Monday October 26, 2026
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Fairmont Royal York | Toronto, ON
Meet the 2026 CJA Award Finalists
2026 Independent Retailer of the Year Award Finalists
2026 Multi-Store Retailer of the Year Award Finalists
2026 Supplier of the Year Award Finalists
Proudly Presenting These Distinct Awards:
Erol Paylan Impact Award
Presented to an individual or company that has made significant contributions towards the jewellery and watch industry during their career.
Independent Retailer of the Year Award
Presented to a CJA Retailer member for their professional standards and contributions to the Canadian jewellery and watch industry.
Multi-Store Retailer of the Year Award
Presented to a CJA Retailer member with more than one physical location for their professional standards and contributions to the Canadian jewellery and watch industry.
Supplier of the Year Award
Presented to a CJA Supplier member for their professional standards and contributions to the Canadian jewellery and watch industry as a wholesaler or manufacturer.
Emerging Business of the Year Award
Presented to a CJA member in their first five years of business for their professional standards and contributions to the Canadian jewellery and watch industry.
Congratulations 2025 CJA Awards Winners
2025 Independent Retailer of the Year Award
Presented to a CJA Retailer member for their professional standards and contributions to the Canadian jewellery and watch industry.
2025 Multi-Store Retailer of the Year Award
Presented to a CJA Retailer member with more than one physical location for their professional standards and contributions to the Canadian jewellery and watch industry.
2025 Supplier of the Year Award
Presented to a CJA Supplier member for their professional standards and contributions to the Canadian jewellery and watch industry as a wholesaler or manufacturer.
2025 Emerging Business of the Year Award
Presented to a CJA member in their first seven years of business for their professional standards and contributions to the Canadian jewellery and watch industry.
2025 Erol Paylan Impact Award
Presented to an individual or company that has made significant contributions towards the jewellery and watch industry during their career.
Previous CJA Award Winners
Erol Paylan Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients
Sarah Dougall, Made You Look Jewellery, 2025
Greg & Jeff Buzbuzian/Knar Jewellery, 2024
Adom Knadjian, 2023
Duncan Parker, 2022
John Minister/Corona Jewellery Co., 2019
Tanya Parrish, 2018
John Lamont, 2017
Sonja Sanders, 2016
Phyllis Richard, 2015
Jewelers Mutual/Darwin Copeman, 2014
Alex Barcados, 2013
Retailer of the Year Award Recipients
J.H. Young Jewellers, 2025
Dana’s Goldsmithing Inc., 2024
Mitton’s Jewellers, 2023
Multi-Store Retailer of the Year Award Recipients
Appelt’s Diamonds, 2025
Supplier of the Year Award Recipients
MDL Diamond Merchants, 2025
Tecimer Jewellery Ltd, 2024
Courtney Gold Company, 2023
Chairman's Award Recipients
Carmen Rivet, 2022
John Vaccaro, 2019
Alex Barcados, 2018
Ernest Epp, 2017
Adom Knadjian, 2016
Pierre Akkelian, 2015
Paul Mara, 2014
Kevin Kaye, 2013
Garo Baler, 2012
Judy Richards, 2011
Dan Panos, 2010
William Stoner, 2009
Peter Myerson, 2008
Harold Weinstein, 2007
President's Award Recipients
Roy Katsuyama, 2006
Abby Evenchick, 2005
Toni Cavelti, 2004
Marvin Gerstein, 2003
Jonathan Birks, 2002
John Nash, 2001
Bruce Smellie, 2000
Bing Levinter, 1999
Industry Community Award
Citizen Watch Canada Ltd., 2024
Habib Malo, Malo Creations Inc., 2026
Canadian Volunteer of the Year Award Recipients
Outlier Solutions Inc. & Alex Barcados, 2024
Justin Opert, 2023
Why Participate in the CJA Awards?
Complimentary Entry
The CJA Awards is accessible to all members with no charge to submit a nomination, or for becoming a Finalist or Winner.
Recognition for your Achievements
Being the Winner and even a Finalist of the CJA Awards includes being nationally recognized for contributions made to the Canadian jewellery and watch industry.
Media Exposure
The CJA Awards receive significant media coverage providing opportunities for Finalists and Winners to be highlighted in industry publications, websites and on social media.
Unlock New Opportunities
With exposure across Canada and internationally, the CJA Awards provides a unique opportunity to develop new connections.
Gain Consumer Trust
As the sign of trust since 1918, industry members and consumers alike look to the CJA for businesses they can trust. Displaying your achievement as a CJA Award Winner or Finalist in-store, on-line and on social media gives customers confidence in your business.
Differentiate Your Brand
The CJA Awards provides a unique platform to highlight your business amongst the best of the best, and assists in attracting new clients and maintaining existing clients.
How It Works?
Nominations
Nominations will be collected by completing an online Nomination Form.
Stay tuned for the 2026 Nomination deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Nomination Criteria:
- Active CJA Board Members are not eligible to be nominated.
- Active CJA Board Members can submit nominations.
- Only eligible nominees will be considered.
- Self nominations not accepted.
- A minimum of three nominees is required per category for the award to be presented.
Finalist Selection
Eligible Nominees will be requested to complete the Nominee Information Form.
Stay tuned for the 2026 Nominee Information Form submission deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Nominees will answer ten questions and the answers will be graded by the Judges to select the Top 3 Finalists in each category and the Winner.
Finalists will be announced in advance of the CJA Awards Dinner and Winners will be announced live at the CJA Awards Dinner.
Judges
Nominations will be reviewed by the CJA Awards Judges (Judges). Previous Winners, CJA Past Presidents, CJA Alumni from all areas of the Canadian jewellery and watch industry will be invited by the CJA Office to serve as a Judge. Active CJA Board members will not be allowed to serve as a Judge. Each category will be judged by a minimum of two Judges. Judges will not be able to submit nominations or be nominated themselves.
How It Works?
Nominations will be collected by completing an online Nomination Form.
Nominations open on April 8, 2026 and will be collected until May 31, 2026 at 11:59pm EDT. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Nomination Criteria:
- Nominees must be Active CJA members based in Canada to be considered.
- Active CJA Board members are not eligible to be nominated.
- Active CJA Awards Committee members are not eligible to be nominated.
- A minimum of three nominees is required per category for the award to be presented.
- Previous nominees and finalists can be renominated each year.
- Previous winners are eligible to be nominated again after ten (10) years.
- Only eligible nominees will be considered.
Eligible Nominees will be requested to complete the Nominee Information Form.
Nominee Information Forms will be sent in June. The submission deadline will be Friday June 26, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Nominees will answer ten questions and the answers will be graded by the Judges to select the Top 3 Finalists in each category and the Winner.
Finalists will be announced in advance of the CJA Awards Dinner and Winners will be announced live at the CJA Awards Dinner.
Nominations will be reviewed by the CJA Awards Judges (Judges). Previous Winners, CJA Past Presidents, CJA Alumni from all areas of the Canadian jewellery and watch industry will be invited by the CJA Office to serve as a Judge. Active CJA Board members will not be allowed to serve as a Judge. Each category will be judged by a minimum of two Judges. Judges will not be able to submit nominations or be nominated themselves.
Confidentiality and Inquiries
Conflicts and Confidentiality
Nominations will be received directly by the CJA Office. Should any conflicts arise, they will be addressed immediately by the CJA Office.
To ensure the integrity of the CJA Awards, all information submitted as a part of the CJA Awards process will be kept confidential and used solely for the purposes of the CJA Awards.
Comments or Questions
The CJA Awards Committee is dedicated to continuously improving the CJA Awards program to ensure it is transparent and relevant. If you have questions about the CJA Awards process or have suggestions on how to improve the program, please contact the CJA Office at 1-416-368-7616 or via email to info@canadianjewellers.com.
