The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) has announced the jewellery businesses and individuals shortlisted for the 2026 NAJ Awards, set to take place on Thursday 8 October at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham.
Supported by returning headline sponsor Curteis, the NAJ Awards celebrate the people, businesses and initiatives driving excellence across the UK jewellery industry. This year’s finalists have been selected across 15 categories spanning innovation, professional achievement, business excellence and community impact.
The Company of Master Jewellers (CMJ) has a number of members amongst the shortlist. In the Great Ideas categories, Fitzgerald Jewellers, Giovanni Raspini and Robert Bicknell Fine Jewellery are shortlisted in Collection of the Year; Birmingham Assay Office and Sonny’s Jewellers in Community Engagement; Amore Jewellery and Gemmology Rocks in Digital Engagement; Gemmology Rocks and Hockley Mint in ESG Initiative; and Jessop Jewellers and Wongs Jewellers in Store Design of the Year.
In the Great Businesses categories, Mallard Nottingham, Minar Jewellers, Sonny’s Jewellers Group, Titcombe Bespoke Jewellery and WatchoO are shortlisted for Team of the Year; Gemmology Rocks, Squash Media Group and TH March are Service Supplier finalists; Allied Gold, CME Leicester, Cooksongold, Curteis, HS Walsh & Sons and Mireya UK are Product Supplier finalists; Fitzgerald Jewellers, Titcombe Bespoke Jewellery and Wongs Jewellers are finalists in Bespoke Retailer of the Year; the Jewellery Retailer of the Year shortlist includes Ainsworth Jewellers, Allum & Sidaway, Bradley Hatch Jewellers, Jack Murphy Jewellers, Jessop Jewellers, Minar Jewellery and Sonny’s Jewellers Group.
In the Great People categories, TH March, Jeremy France Jewellers, WatchO, Wongs Jewellers and Birmingham Assay Office all have employees in the shortlist. Cooksongold’s Yu Kwan-Chin is a Designer of the Year finalist, while Cathy Jane-Bell from Jack Murphy Jewellers makes the Rising Star shortlist. Grace Gordon from Smiths the Jewellers is in the running for Unsung Hero, while Titcombe Bespoke Jewellery’s Alice Patrick and Fitzgerald Jewellers’ Luke Blackie are Workshop Professional finalists.
Ben Massey, chief executive of the NAJ, said: “Each year, the NAJ Awards provide an opportunity to recognise the remarkable people, businesses and initiatives that make our industry so special, and this year’s finalists represent an exceptionally high standard.
“The continued growth in entries reflects a sector that is constantly evolving, investing in its people and striving to deliver the very best for customers, colleagues and communities alike.
“With year-on-year growth, we encourage finalists, supporters and industry colleagues to secure their places as soon as possible. We look forward to bringing the trade together in Birmingham this October to celebrate the achievements of our finalists and reveal this year’s winners.”
The announcement of the NAJ Awards finalists comes on the back of the inaugural CMJ Awards, which celebrated the best and most innovative businesses in our own membership.
