About Us

A family jewelry store, grown into a global pearl house.

Since 1978, Canadian Gem has supplied retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers with the most complete selection of loose cultured pearls and pearl jewelry. We specialize in developing pearl jewelry programs for large retail chains mostly across North America.

Our large and constantly growing database of designs and inventory, our worldwide contacts, offices and partnerships, as well as our unsurpassed expertise, allow us to custom design programs unique to each client.

The Canadian Gem team

1970s

A small family retail business is born as a jewelry and accessories store near downtown Montreal.

1978

Canadian Gem begins supplying loose cultured pearls and pearl jewelry to retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers.

1980s

The company forms a manufacturing and wholesale division with a downtown office focused on high-end pearl jewelry; pearl imports grow to represent a third of all pearl imports into Canada.

1990s

Canadian Gem moves to the Scotia Tower in downtown Montreal, an early adopter of computers, management software and B2B platforms like EDI.

2000s

Expansion continues with buying offices in Asia and selling/service offices in the USA and overseas.

2008–

Following the US recession, the company refocuses on core competencies and re-launches the Nishi Pearls brand in North America.

Our Team