Victor Commisso, the third generation jeweller who leads Sabatini Jewellery in Vaughan, has joined the jury of the Canadian Jeweller Awards of Excellence 2027. Jewellers can meet him in Toronto on April 11 and 12, 2027, at the Time & Shine Jewellery Trade Show.
At Sabatini Jewellery, a visit begins with an offer of espresso. On special occasions, the glass holds gold champagne instead. Nobody is rushed toward a sale, because the person behind the counter would rather hear your story first.
That person is usually Victor Commisso. He was 23 when he made the cover of our December 2025 Generation Next issue. A few months later, the trade named him Best Young Jeweller.
Who is Victor Commisso?
His grandparents, Vittorio and Maria, opened Sabatini half a century ago. They built its reputation on careful craftsmanship, honest advice and a promise to stand behind every piece they sold.
Vittorio died suddenly before his grandson was born. The boy received his name anyway. “I did not get to shake his hand, but I feel him in the store every day,” Victor told us. “That is why legacy matters so much to me.”
What has the family business taught him?
Mostly, it has taught him patience. Jewellery sold by his grandparents still returns to the store decades later. For example, a bracelet from the 1980s comes back for repair. Similarly, a ring that Maria designed for a young bride is now being resized for that woman’s daughter.
As a result, those visits shape how he sees the trade. “What I love most about jewellery is that it can be cherished and passed down,” he says. “Every piece tells a story.”
Maria remains his closest adviser. After five decades in the business, she has lived through more gold cycles and style changes than most jewellers will ever see. “Nobody knows more about jewellery than her,” he says. “I try to absorb everything.”
What does Victor Commisso understand about today’s buyer?
A great deal, and he understood it early. In our interview, he explained that rising gold had pushed Sabatini toward well made pieces at lower prices. He also noticed that younger clients were happy to choose 10 or 14 karat when the design and quality were right. About a month later, on January 26, 2026, gold passed US$5,000 an ounce for the first time.
Lab grown diamonds never unsettled him either. They were already mainstream when he joined the business, so he simply learned to explain them well. Instead, he sets stones side by side and talks about resale before a client decides.
He is equally direct about big brands. “Sometimes you are paying more for marketing than for the actual piece,” he says. That candour is part of why clients trust a family store where they can meet the owner and see the bench.
Technology does the rest. Instagram works as his second showroom, and many custom rings begin as a late night message with a Pinterest screenshot. Then a CAD rendering follows within days. In fact, some clients first visit the store on the day they collect their ring.
Why do young jewellers want to hear his story?
Part of the answer is the invitation he made at the end of his interview. “If any young jeweller needs advice or wants to talk about the industry, I am available,” he said. “Reach out.”
His advice is practical rather than glamorous. Start anywhere, keep learning and treat every client message as important. He also warns newcomers not to expect quick fame. “You will not blow up in a week,” he says. “But if you love it, stay consistent.”
He follows that rule on his personal account, @victorthejeweller. There, he also talks openly about gold prices and family business. Our profile of young jewellers in Canada shows how many others are now building careers the same way.
Where can you meet Victor Commisso in 2027?
Toronto is the place. As Jewellers’ Experience Director of the Time & Shine Jewellery Trade Show, he spends both show days on the floor with retailers.
On the evening of April 11, he will also judge the Awards of Excellence, Canada’s oldest and longest running jewellery competition. First, the finalist pieces walk the runway. Then the six jurors examine each one by hand: Claire Vessot, who chairs the panel, Karen Howard, Gino DeVuono, Leonardo Cameron, Christina Yazejian and Victor.
Any jewellery professional may enter, with no membership or affiliation required. Young jewellers pay no entry fee in their category.
| Awards of Excellence 2027 | Details |
|---|---|
| Entries open | November 16, 2026 |
| Entries close | March 15, 2027, 11:59 pm Eastern |
| Finalists announced | March 31, 2027 |
| Live judging, runway and gala | April 11, 2027, Toronto |
| Entry fee | $150 per category, $500 for Grand Master, taxes included |
| Young Jeweller | No entry fee |
See our guide to entering the Awards of Excellence 2027 for the full rules. The 2026 winners show the standard to beat. Bring your best work to Toronto, along with your questions. Enter the Awards of Excellence 2027.
FAQ
Who is Victor Commisso?
He is a third generation jeweller who leads Sabatini Jewellery in Vaughan, Ontario, and the 2026 winner of Best Young Jeweller at the Canadian Jeweller Awards of Excellence.
What is his role at the Awards of Excellence 2027?
He is one of six jurors who score the entries and examine each finalist piece by hand in Toronto on April 11, 2027.
Where can I meet Victor Commisso?
He will be at the Time & Shine Jewellery Trade Show in Toronto on April 11 and 12, 2027, where he serves as Jewellers’ Experience Director.
When do entries for the Awards of Excellence 2027 open and close?
Entries open November 16, 2026 and close March 15, 2027 at 11:59 pm Eastern at aoe.canadianjeweller.com.
Sources: Canadian Jeweller Magazine, Generation Next issue, December 2025, cover story “Inside Sabatini Jewellery’s Modern Mindset”; Canadian Financial Close, January 26, 2026.
Author: Olivier Fel.
Olivier Felicio is the founder and publisher of Canadian Jeweller Magazine, Canada's jewellery business publication since 1879. He writes on retail strategy, market data, trade policy and the commercial side of the Canadian jewellery and watch trade, and hosts Time and Shine, Canada's jewellery buying event. Contact: olivier@canadianjeweller.com.
