Creating an award and recognition program from scratch—or refreshing an existing one—can feel daunting. But at its core, it's about identifying the values, behaviors, and achievements that matter most to your organization and finding the right ways to honor them.
Jewelry is one of the most enduring and meaningful forms of recognition. Whether you're celebrating tenure, safety milestones, leadership, or sales excellence, custom jewelry creates a lasting impression that recipients wear with pride. Recognition that is worn—not just displayed—extends the impact of the gesture long beyond the moment it is received.
Here are some key questions to help you get anyone designing or updating an award or recognition program started:
1. What do you want to recognize?
Years of service? Safety records? Sales achievements? Leadership? Peer-nominated values? Get clear about what behaviors and results matter most to your organization. These should align with your business goals, values, and culture.
2. Who are you recognizing—and how often?
Will your program focus on long-term milestones or shorter-term accomplishments? Are you highlighting individual contributors, departments, or cross-functional teams? Recognition works best when it is timely and consistent, so decide what rhythm works best for your organization. Consider leaning into tying awards to performance metrics to ensure that any program you develop is fueling organizational goals!
3. What’s your message?
Recognition is about storytelling. Think about what you want the award to say—not just literally in engraving, but symbolically. Is this about perseverance? Leadership? Innovation? Custom jewelry allows you to embed those messages through design elements like symbols, stones, engravings, and colors. Very few gifts provide symbolic messaging in the way that jewelry can!
4. What form should the award take?
Rings, charms, lapel pins, pendants, bracelets, and other custom accessories all offer different ways to express appreciation. Pins and lapel items are discreet and professional; rings make a statement. Bracelets and rings remind the wearer of their accomplishments and company loyalty every time they look down at their hands! The form factor depends on your audience’s preferences, your organizational culture, and your available budget.
5. How will the award be presented?
Delivery matters. Recognition is most powerful when it's public, timely, and emotionally resonant. Will this be presented at a formal banquet? During a team huddle? In a newsletter or video tribute? Creating meaningful moments enhances the impact of the jewelry.
6. What kind of longevity do you want?
Great recognition programs evolve. Think about how this program can grow over time. Will you add tiers or “add-a-diamond” upgrades? Will you refresh designs every few years? Building flexibility into the structure now will help you sustain the program into the future.
7. How will success be measured?
Will your recognition program tie to metrics like retention, employee satisfaction, or performance improvement? Defining success early helps you build a more strategic case for the program—and ensures it remains relevant and valuable over time.
At E.A. Dion, we work with award and recognition providers to design and produce high-quality, fully custom jewelry awards that align with each client’s unique needs. Whether you’re starting fresh or refining a long-standing program, we’re here to help you turn thoughtful recognition into lasting value. Getting started with Dion is easy: simply browse our gallery of past products for some inspiration, then This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. give us a call, or fill out our New Project Form for a quote!
