News

Do you like what we do at CJA? Spread the word! If your colleague or your friend becomes a CJA member, you get free promotion!

1 member referral : 1 week free promotion when the new member is signed up

2 member referrals: 2 weeks free promotion when the members are signed up

NOTES:

* a maximum of 6 months in a given year

** free promotion will be included in our Eblasts and newsletters which don't always happen every week. Once our new website is up and running, the name would be included there as well.

Dear CJA members,

A recent exciting opportunity has come to our attention and we wanted to share!

You don't have an e-commerce website for your business and you don't know where to start? This is your opportunity to participate in the Canadian Retail Educators Association (CREA) Store Hacker Challenge!

Each year, the Canadian Retail Educators Association (CREA) works with an industry partner to identify realistic business problems and design an exceptional and experiential learning experience for students who are passionate about RETAIL. This year, CREA has partnered with Shopify for a one-day Store Hacker Challenge.  In this one-day challenge, students will be placed into inter-disciplinary teams to develop an e-commerce website for a small business using the Shopify platform.  Each team will include approximately 4 students, the small business owner, a student coach and a dedicated Shopify expert mentor.   
 
They are seeking approximately 10 small businesses to participate. 

To qualify to participate your small businesses must be:
1) currently operating a retail-based business (i.e., sells legal products and/or services)and has inventory to sell;
2) in need of an e-commerce site and does not currently have a Shopify site;
3) willing to work with students to build and develop an e-commerce site using the Shopify platform;
4) willing to work collaboratively under pressure and tight timelines; and
5) willing to provide the student team the following information: mission/vision/values, target customer, product list, product images, price list, shipping/delivery procedures, return policies.  

What’s in it for the retailers who participate:
1) 3-month account with Shopify

2) An e-commerce site built for FREE! Hiring a firm to develop an e-commerce website could cost thousands and take several weeks or months. For more information on ongoing costs, check out the Shopify website.

3) The University students and ecommerce experts at Shopify will work with you to build a site and get online for free in only a few days.  

If this excites you...please register here, https://ryersontrsm.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_agDdM75YOqDsUPc 

You will be contacted via email within a next few days to discuss next steps.  

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Canadian Jewellers Association

Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Jewellers Association (CJA) is scheduled as follows:

Monday, October 25, 2021

11:00 - 11:30 a.m. EST

On Line Video Conference Call

Please REGISTER here

All members are invited to attend this business meeting, and voting members are welcome to participate.

The following related documents are available with this notice by clicking on the links:

1.     Meeting Agenda

2.  A proposed slate of directors for 2021-2022 as proposed by the Nominating Committee.

3.     Proxy Form – Please complete this form and fax or email back to the CJA office if you will not be attending the AGM.

4.    If you would like a copy of the 2020 Audited Financial Statements, please contact Carla Adams at the CJA office at carla@canadianjewellers.com.

5.     If you would like a copy of the Minutes of the AGM of October 26, 2020, please contact Carla Adams at the CJA office or at carla@canadianjewellers.com.

Register HERE 

The laboratory-grown diamond market has developed substantially since its entry into the jewelry trade in the mid-1990s. Join GIA subject specialist, Lisa Kennedy, GIA GG, as she delves into the increasing amounts of improved qualities of laboratory-grown diamonds. Build your knowledge and confidence about this growing market, including the top manufacturing countries and what you can do to be better equipped to identify, sell and buy.

Lisa Kennedy, GIA GG

Lisa Kennedy is a GIA subject specialist in gemology including the areas of diamond and colored stone identification. She started in the jewelry industry as a sales associate for a fine jewelry store. While completing the GIA Graduate Gemologist program and the Gem-A Gemmology Foundation course, she joined GIA as a gemologist focusing on fancy colored diamonds and diamond identification. She went on to become a gemology instructor and subject specialist at GIA, writing new gemology curriculum and sharing her passion for gems by imparting her knowledge to students. In this role, Lisa has led seminars and webinars to foster continuing education and training for trade members. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with an emphasis in crystallography.

REGISTER HERE

Register now! 

The CJA is proud to invite you to its Second Annual Virtual Event on August 19, 2021. Please register here

The event is FREE FOR CJA MEMBERS and $25 for non-members.

Register here

We are proud of our members! Hemsley's Jewellers is celebrating their 150th anniversary. Their beautiful success story can be read here in an extract from the Montreal Gazette.

CJA Covid Update December 10, 2020

Provinces are dealing  separately with requirements for public health and safety due to covid.  The Retail Council of Canada (RCC) has updated their regional retail guide to covid-19 operating, and health and safety requirements as of December 10th. 

Go to: COVID-19 Requirements for Retailers by Region – Retail Council of Canada