The journey began with Abraham Akcan and his two young sons, Isaac and John. Abraham worked at a simple workman’s bench to design and craft custom jewellery for retail stores. Both Isaac and John learned their craft at Abraham’s knee, becoming accomplished craftsmen at a very young age.

Entrepreneurs at heart, Isaac and John, together with their father Abraham, founded two companies: Solid Gold Jewellery and Canadians Gems. Together they operated out of Yonge–Dundas Square in Toronto for more than 35 years, primarily supplying jewellery stores and working manufacturers.