JA Unveils Lifetime Achievement Award Winners

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement from Jewelers of America (JA). 

The award committee nominated the Udells for their achievements in the jewelry industry, where they continue to inspire the future generation, JA said last week. They will receive the accolade at the 24^th annual GEM Awards on March 13, 2026, in New York. 

“We are thrilled to present the GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement to Mark and Candy Udell,” said Amanda Gizzi, JA’s senior vice president of corporate affairs. “Together they have built an incredible business that relies heavily on family values and a commitment to excellence in everything they do.”  

The couple has developed a single-store shop, founded in 1926, into a multi-store luxury business. The pair’s milestones include launching the first Rolex boutique in East Hampton, New York, in 2025 while continuing to grow the chain’s flagship store in Manhasset, New York, along with establishing a fifth location in New Jersey’s Mall at Short Hills. The Udells also mentor the next generation to continue the brand’s core values: integrity, innovation, excellence, and treating every customer like family. 

The annual GEM Awards gala honors the outstanding achievements of companies and individuals whose work raises the visibility and status of fine jewelry and timepieces. A committee of industry experts selects the recipients. 

Image: Mark and Candy Udell. (Jewelers of America)