A client recently told me that she was worried that 'recycled metal' meant that the jewelry would have a rough, unfinished look to it. In reality, recycled metal can have whatever finish you desire, the same way newly mined metal can! Calling it 'recycled' simply refers to the fact that the metal has been re-refined from a previous use (jewelry, electronics, etc.), as opposed to newly mined ore. Diamonds aren't the only concerning element of jewelry when it comes to ethical and environmental impact. Fine metal mining (gold, silver, and platinum) in particular can be devastating to the environment - toxic chemicals (mercury contamination, anyone?), deforestation, and humanitarian concerns are all major issues. Many gold mines dump their toxic waste directly into...
There's something really special about creating a one of a kind piece for such an important moment in someone's life. Whether it's a non traditional design that's incredibly unique, or something classic with a personal twist, making your ring your own can be a powerful symbol - and an incredible experience. One of the things I love about custom design is that every ring (or piece) tells a story. Keith knew he wanted something special, something different. Black diamond: definitely. Metal color: rose gold. Design: simple but different. Not too fussy, but enough detail to make it stand out. I sourced a phenomenal black diamond in a kite cut shape - the geometry of this cut is striking! A little art...
We're extremely picky about the ethical sourcing of our materials. Whether or not you've seen the movie Blood Diamond, you know that the materials used in fine jewelry can come with a hefty ethical pricetag - but they don't have to! One thing we do to make sure that every single aspect of our jewelry is sourced to the highest environmental and humanitarian standards is to use only Canadian Origin Diamond Melee. But what exactly does that mean, and why does it matter? Diamonds were discovered in Canada in the 1990s, and Canada is now the third largest producer of diamonds in the world. CanadaMark is a special hallmark created to distinguish diamonds sourced from the Ekati and Diavik mines in...
Confused between these various types of gold jewelry? You're not alone! This is a common point of confusion among our clients, so we're here to shed a little light on the subject. All of our jewelry is made using solid materials, whether it's sterling silver, gold, or platinum. We choose to use solid fine metals to provide truly heirloom quality pieces that can withstand the test of time and daily wear. Gold plated and gold filled jewelry is considered costume jewelry - while less expensive, these pieces will not last as long. Let's really dig into the differences - Gold Plate / Vermeil Gold plated jewelry is made of a base metal that has been electroplated with a very thin (we're talking...
We believe in transparency - about sourcing, the design and fabrication process, our pricing, and everything in between. The world of fine jewelry can be huge, intimidating, and confusing. We're here to change that. There's a ton of information out there, which can sometimes be conflicting - and it often seems like a thinly veiled sales pitch. As classically trained goldsmiths, we have a wealth of information and we're here to answer any questions you have. There's no such thing as a silly question, and we're passionate about fine jewelry - we could talk about it all day (and we often do!). A good jewelry purchase is an educated one, and our mission is to give you whatever level of expertise you...
