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And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is …
Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Ostbye President Craig MacBean, left, with Independent Jewelers Organization owner and CEO Stephen Barnes at the 2026 IJO show, held July 26 to 28 in Louisville, Kentucky. Ostbye was named IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year at the show.
Minneapolis—Members of the Independent Jewelers Organization have voted Ostbye, the Minneapolis-based, family-owned manufacturer, as their Vendor of the Year for 2026.
The award, presented last month at the IJO show in Louisville, Kentucky, recognizes vendors that “consistently exceed expectations and demonstrate exceptional partnership with IJO’s independent jeweler members.”
“We are humbled to receive this recognition,” Ostbye President Craig MacBean said.
“We want to thank IJO and their retail members for this tremendous honor. It is a privilege to be a part of such an outstanding organization.”
Related stories will be right here …
The award, presented last month at the IJO show in Louisville, Kentucky, recognizes vendors that “consistently exceed expectations and demonstrate exceptional partnership with IJO’s independent jeweler members.”
“We are humbled to receive this recognition,” Ostbye President Craig MacBean said.
“We want to thank IJO and their retail members for this tremendous honor. It is a privilege to be a part of such an outstanding organization.”
Founded in 1920 by Walter Ostbye, who immigrated to the United States from Norway, the company is now under its fourth generation of family leadership.
In 2024, Ostbye acquired another jewelry manufacturer, Cincinnati-based Victor Corporation, a company that makes diamond jewelry.
Ostbye said the acquisition allowed it to expand its offerings and support for independent jewelers.
Ostbye last received the IJO Vendor of the Year award in 2005 but was first runner-up in 2025 and 2024. The company has won the Retail Jewelers Organization’s Vendor of the Year award 15 times.
“Our team lives by our core values every day by focusing on solution-centered, dedicated service to our retail partners to better serve their consumers,” MacBean said.
“I’m proud of the work by our entire team this past year who made this recognition possible.”
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