Events & AwardsSep 23, 2024
Longtime New England Jeweler to Receive Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementEvents & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement
Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.
Mark and Candy Udell are the owners of London Jewelers, a New York-based jewelry retailer that will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026.
New York—Jewelers of America has announced that Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers are the recipients of the 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement.
The couple will receive the honors at next year’s gala, which will take place March 13, 2026, in New York.
“We are thrilled to present the Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement to Mark and Candy Udell. Together they have built an incredible business that relies heavily on family values and a commitment to excellence in everything they do,” said Amanda Gizzi, JA’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
“As London Jewelers prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary, we are honored to recognize Mark and Candy and their lifetime of success that has inspired the jewelry industry as well as their next generation.”
The Udells are the owners of London Jewelers, the jewelry retail business founded by Mark’s maternal grandfather, Charles London, in 1926.
The duo transformed what began as a single-store business into a multi-store luxury operation known for innovation, craftsmanship, and unparalleled customer service, said JA.
Together, they have driven major milestones for London Jewelers, including the 2025 opening of the first-ever Rolex boutique in East Hampton, New York, the continued expansion of their flagship store in Manhasset, New York, and the opening of a store at The Mall at Short Hills in New Jersey.
They are also mentoring the fourth generation—their daughter Randi, son Scott, and nephew Zachary—in carrying forward the retailer’s values of integrity, innovation, excellence, and treating every customer like family.
Related stories will be right here …
The couple will receive the honors at next year’s gala, which will take place March 13, 2026, in New York.
“We are thrilled to present the Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement to Mark and Candy Udell. Together they have built an incredible business that relies heavily on family values and a commitment to excellence in everything they do,” said Amanda Gizzi, JA’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
“As London Jewelers prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary, we are honored to recognize Mark and Candy and their lifetime of success that has inspired the jewelry industry as well as their next generation.”
The Udells are the owners of London Jewelers, the jewelry retail business founded by Mark’s maternal grandfather, Charles London, in 1926.
The duo transformed what began as a single-store business into a multi-store luxury operation known for innovation, craftsmanship, and unparalleled customer service, said JA.
Together, they have driven major milestones for London Jewelers, including the 2025 opening of the first-ever Rolex boutique in East Hampton, New York, the continued expansion of their flagship store in Manhasset, New York, and the opening of a store at The Mall at Short Hills in New Jersey.
They are also mentoring the fourth generation—their daughter Randi, son Scott, and nephew Zachary—in carrying forward the retailer’s values of integrity, innovation, excellence, and treating every customer like family.
The Udells have previously been honored, as individuals, in National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame.
Mark was inducted in 1992, and Candy was inducted in 2023.
At the 2026 gala, the Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement will be given alongside the Gem Awards for Jewelry Design, Media Excellence and Retail Innovation.
Nominations for the three latter awards are open until July 30.
For nomination guidelines, as well as tickets, sponsorship packages, and advertising opportunities for the 2026 Gem Awards, visit its website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
