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The Independent Jewellers Collective has celebrated the accomplishments of its members over the past 12 months with a special awards presentation in Sydney.

IJC champions retailer accomplishments with special awards night

Posted September 10, 2026 | By Samuel Ord

The Independent Jewellers Collective has celebrated the accomplishments of its members over the past 12 months with a special awards presentation in Sydney.

The 2026 IJC Awards Night took place on 20 August at Sydney’s Alpha Dining, bringing independent jewellery retailers from Australia and New Zealand together to recognise outstanding performance, innovation, and broader contributions to the industry.

The event was part of IJC’s 2026 Retail Partner Experience in Sydney in the lead-up to the International Jewellery Fair. There were four key awards up for grabs on the night.

Firstly, the Partner of the Year award, which recognises a retailer that demonstrates a strong commitment to the buying group and actively engages with the broader IJC community. This award was won by Regency Jewellers from Orange in New South Wales.

Up next, the Store of the Year Award, which celebrates outstanding overall achievement in independent jewellery retail - whether that be in performance, customer experience, or approach to retail. The winner was My Jewellers from Burnie in Tasmania.

Joshua Zarb, Independent Jewellers Collective

"IJC is incredibly proud of the calibre of retailers within our community."

Joshua Zarb, Independent Jewellers Collective

The Rising Star Award acknowledges a retailer demonstrating outstanding potential, growth and enthusiasm for the future of their business and the independent jewellery industry. This award was secured by Merimbula Jewellers in New South Wales.

Finally, the Jewellery Excellence Award which recognises a retailer demonstrating an exceptional commitment to excellence across their jewellery business, from customer experience and product presentation through to innovation and the overall experience.

This award was won by Agapé Jewellers from Hamilton in New Zealand. IJC CEO Joshua Zarb extended heartfelt congratulations to every business nominated for an award.

“IJC is incredibly proud of the calibre of retailers within our community,” he said.

“The Awards Night is one of the highlights of our Retail Partner Experience because it gives us an opportunity to recognise the people and businesses who are achieving remarkable things within their stores and contributing to the strength of independent jewellery retail more broadly.

“Congratulations to all of our finalists. To be recognised alongside such an outstanding group of retailers is a significant achievement, and our four winners should be incredibly proud of what they have accomplished.”

IJC’s Retail Partner Experience and Awards Night was supported by Duraflex Group Australia as a gold sponsor, alongside Battery Man, Chemgold, Expertise Events, LaCouronne, Tutu Display, and Unison Jewellery as silver sponsors.

IJC is scheduled to host its next Retail Partner Experience in Cairns from 8-9 April 2027 in the lead-up to the Australian Jewellery Fair. That will be followed by a conference in Sydney (14-16 August) ahead of the International Jewellery Fair.