The future of Canadian jewellery design took centre stage as Canadian Jeweller Magazine officially announced Leonardo Cameron of STG Diamonds as the winner of the 2026 Best Jewellery Designer Award during this year’s prestigious Awards of Excellence competition.
The category brought together some of the country’s most respected and emerging creative talents, highlighting the strength, diversity, and evolution of Canadian jewellery design at a time when originality and craftsmanship are becoming increasingly important in luxury retail.
This year’s nominees included:
- Vicken Papazian of Carati Jewelry, Montreal
- Dana McLaven of Dana McLaven Fine Jewellery, Toronto
- Elmira Manaf Nejad of JewelElly Design, Burlington
- Shawna Buker of La Mairi Jewelry, Toronto
- Mathieu Blanchard of Mathieu Blanchard Jewelry, Granby
- Leonardo Cameron of STG Diamonds, Richmond Hill
- Adele van Tonder of Zadel Jewellery Studio, Vancouver
Each finalist represented a different perspective on contemporary jewellery design, from modern luxury and commercial wearability to artistic storytelling and technical craftsmanship. Together, the category reflected the growing sophistication of the Canadian jewellery industry and the rising importance of design-driven retail.
However, judges ultimately selected Leonardo Cameron for his exceptional ability to combine strong visual identity with refined execution and market relevance. His work stood out for its balance between innovation and timeless appeal, demonstrating the level of creativity increasingly demanded by today’s luxury consumer.
The Best Jewellery Designer category has quickly become one of the most closely watched honours within the Awards of Excellence program because it recognizes not only artistic ability, but also the power of design to influence retail trends, consumer emotion, and brand positioning.
As the Canadian jewellery market continues to evolve, originality has become a critical competitive advantage for retailers and manufacturers alike. Consumers are no longer simply purchasing jewellery products — they are investing in identity, storytelling, craftsmanship, and emotional connection. Categories like Best Jewellery Designer reflect that broader shift within the industry.
The Awards of Excellence competition, organized by Canadian Jeweller Magazine, continues to celebrate the individuals and companies shaping the future of jewellery in Canada through innovation, leadership, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurial vision. The competition has become a national platform recognizing excellence across multiple categories ranging from design and retail to emerging talent and industry leadership.
For many attendees and industry observers, the Best Jewellery Designer category represented one of the strongest and most inspiring segments of this year’s competition, underscoring the depth of creative talent currently emerging across Canada.
With this win, Leonardo Cameron and STG Diamonds further solidify their position as a rising force within Canadian jewellery design — and a name many retailers and consumers across the country will continue watching closely in the years ahead.
