Well the holidays have passed, and the retail stores make sure to remind us whats next on the celebration agenda – Valentine’s Day! Although, it’s highly unlikely anyone would forget that February 14th is approaching as malls and window displays everywhere are showered with red hearts, roses and chocolates.
We care about you and your loved ones here at Jewel Envy and we are here to help you give the perfect gift to the one you love. Instead of you racking your brain to figure out the perfect gift, let us help you – it’s what we do best in fact.
Come in and tell us all about you and your special someone. Take a walk through our display cases filled with truly magical one of a kind designs that will be sure to make your special someone feel warm and fuzzy inside. Or better yet, we can bring your love story to life through a custom designed piece of jewellery that he or she will cherish for years to come. Either way, we’ve got you covered. 🙂 <3
Big hug,
Jessica
Large & Small Crown Sacred Heart Boxes created by Alexis Kostuk of Glaciale Goldsmith.
Top: Asymmetric Earrings by House of Cassady Middle: Clematis Earrings by Cosmic Skye Jewellery Bottom: Green Gem Earrings by Glaciale Goldsmith
Hello, Jewel Envy readers! Today I thought I would share with you a few of the ways we add colour to metal here at the studio. In the picture above, you can see three different pairs of earring each coloured with a different technique. The top pair uses a patina to achieve the black colour, the middle pair is anodized niobium and the bottom pair is coloured with enamel. In this post I’m going to give a brief description of each of these techniques so you can get an idea of how they work.
Earrings by House of Cassady
Patinas: Patinas cover a broad range of chemicals that can be applied to the surface of metals to alter the colour. There are two main types of patinas, hot and cold. Cold patinas, such as liver of sulfur and gun blue, can be used at room temperature and painted on or the piece can be dipped directly into the solution depending on the desired effect and the type of patina. Hot Patinas, like cupric nitrate need to be used with heat. In the case of cupric nitrate, the metal pieces are heated at an even temperature (this can be done on a hotplate) and the patina is painted on to the heated surface. Patinas create layers of oxidization to alter the colour of the metal. Basically they make the metal dirty in a controlled and even way. If your piece is fully patinated this means you never really need to clean it!
Dragonfly Pendant by Cosmic Skye Jewellery
Anodizing: Anodizing is a process that only works with reactive metals, examples of these metals include niobium, titanium and aluminum. To achieve the vibrant colours that these metals are capable of, they need to be anodized. In order to anodize the metal, it must be hooked up to an electrical source as the anode (the positive side of the power source/battery) and dipped in an electrolytic solution (this sounds fancy but can be as simple as saturated salt water) with another piece of metal that is hooked up to act as the cathode (negative side of the battery). Once this is all set up the pieces are electrified at different voltages to achieve different colours, for example, 20 volts creates a vibrant blue while 70 volts gives you fuchsia. Anodizing essentially builds up layers of oxidization which is what creates the different colours. While anodizing can achieve some beautiful colours, one of the drawbacks of using reactive metals is that they cannot be soldered, so you need to get creative with how you attach niobium pieces together.
by Glacial Goldsmith
Enamel: Enameling is a process where glass is adhered to the surface of the metal to create different colours. Traditionally the glass comes in a fine powder (this can be turned into a paste) that is carefully applied to the surface of the metal either to create a solid colour, a pattern or even an image. Once the powder is placed the piece can be carefully placed inside a kiln and fired at high temperatures to melt the glass and make it adhere to the metal. Enameling can be done in layers to achieve more complex results. There are also different styles of enameling such as Cloisonne, where wires are used to create patterns and separate areas so that different colours can be applied to the piece without blending and Champleve, which uses cast or carved metal pieces with separate recessed areas to achieve a similar result.
These are just a few of the ways colour can be added to a metal surface. As you can see, each process gives you a completely different look. You can come check out some of the colourful pieces in this post at the studio!
In the coming weeks we will be adding new work from our newest member, Karyn Houston of Stick and Stones as well as welcoming back Hyewon Jang Of H Jewellery. We recently put out some new work by Peter van Walraven, van Walraven Goudsmid so there are plenty of excuses to drop in this month!
Necklace by Karyn Houston, Stick and Stones.
Pearl Necklace, earrings, and ring by Hyewon Jang, H Jewellery.
Pendant by Peter van Walraven, van Walraven Goudsmid.
This is the season to take all of your jewelry out of its hiding places and put it on.You probably forgot what you have. It might take some time to look through all your hiding places and many drawers and maybe a trips to the bank and safety deposit box to get it all together.
I think this is a great time to go through everything and see what you love and what you never wear. Just like your closet, jewellery put away if forgotten about.
It is fun to see what can be restyled and reposed. Is very fancy jewelry, on trend, but is worn every day. My recommendation is to wear what you have. Make it your style. Integrate old and new.
At the holidays it is so nice to see the pieces that remind yourself and others of family members no longer around.
I like to use these occasions as times to take stock, check out the security of the stones on their settings, the state of the setting, clasps, and sizes.
Jewellery and Diamonds will last a long time but it needs to be looked after properly.
Here is a checklist to consider before wearing your jewelry out for an event.
Earring:
Are the findings and stones secured?Do you have proper back? Do shepherd hooks have stoppers to prevent the hooks from catching on jackets and scarfs?
Lemon Citrine earrings, @pashJewelleryDesign
This is a great example of a very safe back butterfly, big enough to protect your lovely earrings to fall down and get lost.
Necklaces, and rings with stones. Rings with diamonds are most often set in claws. The claws overtime wear out or can be bent out of shape. You need to make sure these are secure. So, each year check the setting and the condition of the stone.
Stones chip, even diamond. Jewel Envy will look at you jewelry for free to let you know the condition or you jewelry.
If you have insurance you have to report that to your insurance company when you find it. Best practices are to review your jewelry and your insurance policy every year.
Turquoise and pink Sapphires ring. @glacialegoldsmith
This lovely ring from Alexis Kostuk has six claws that hold the turquoise, they are strong and long enough to keep the stone in place.
Ring Size and Ring Fit.
A ring that was maybe a little loose on your finger in the summer is ok. When the winter comes around it can be an issue. Your fingers tend to get smaller and the ring bigger. You are also in and out of your car, putting your gloves on and off. Maybe wiping off the snow from your car with your bare hands.
Opps, there your ring slips off your finger. It drops into the soft snow, no cling to let you hear it drop and sadly it is gone.
It is a small fee and an easy repair to size a plain band. Something with stones should be handled with care.
Jewel Envy’s repair services help you with all of your sizing and repair needs.
Ruby ring, @RadiBrothersJewelry
Blue Topaz and diamonds. @hplafauriejewelleryDesign
This two rings show you different type of bands and we can resize any of them for you at Jewel Envy.
Love your pieces of jewelry and give them the best care possible, they are passing down to you from your lovely ones or buy from your love one for you or you bought them for yourself! Keep them safe and gorgeous!
Jewel Envy will be open for your last shopping Christmas gifts on Monday from 12Pm to 4 pm an on Tuesday from 12 pm to 4 pm.
Jewel Envy and its team wish you very Happy Holidays and a happy New Year|!
So, the studio party was Friday. I wish I could show you a load of pics, but unfortunately I was too busy having fun, and talking to my colleagues and our amazing clients and friends who attended. (It was so nice to meet some new people and hang out with friends!) However, here’s a teaser of the fun we had with the Photobooth and some of the awesome decorating Gillian and Alexis have done of the studio-it’s iridescent-tastic!
Still lots of exciting things happening in December at the studio! The #RoncyReindeer contest is still going on until December 31st!
teaser of the blinged up reindeer to spot around the studio
Our workshops for 2019 are finished for the year (but you can already sign up for making fun for 2020–have a look at the courses currently taking bookings here. Wouldn’t they make a fab gift??)
Have you ever tried precious metal clay? It’s a moldable clay that contains metal particles that you can shape. When fired, the clay particles burn away leaving the metal , and a cool new shape! This month, Jewel Envy is visiting the Stakt market to give some family friendly maker workshops December 12th, 14th and 15th. You have your choice of making two quick fire clay pendants (December 12 or 15th), or hand stamping your own unique copper book mark (December 14th).
The market looks pretty exciting! I might have to go and try out the Crockicurl! In any case, you can see more here.
Don’t forget that SHOP1km is still happening on Roncevalles. If you live in the area, you should have received a coupon book. The promotion for the studio is over now, but you have until December 15th to drop the stickered back page to enter the general raffle put on by SHOP1km to win all the cool stuff on the cover. You can drop these at any of the participating shops, but we always love to welcome you to the studio!
Don’t forget, there’s loads of new work from the resident goldsmiths out in the bubbles-you’re sure to find that perfect gift for the someone special in your life. Come visit to say hi and see what we’ve been up to!
Hope to see you soon, and enjoy the surprisingly warm Sunday!
This post
is overdue but never too late to celebrate. This past October our own Peter van
Walraven, of van Walraven Goudsmid, won 1st place in the 2nd
Annual Emerging Artist, nation wide competition presented by the Canadian
Gemmological Association. Peter joined the blue, jewel house of Roncy in May
after graduating top of his class from Georgian College in Barrie.
His piece titled “Metal, Stone and Crystal” is a unique kinetic neck-piece that has caught the eye of many. The piece is all completely hand-made, aside from the chains. Peter cut and polished all the stone and crystalline material by hand. The center piece is made of synthetic cobalt-blue spinel set with in the center of cast sterling silver and 10 karat yellow gold accents. The side pieces or weights are cast in sterling silver with howlite and black jasper inlay accented with lapis lazuli and gold tips.
Interestingly
this piece was originally inspired by the hoodie. The stings you pull on the
side to draw the hood in tighter is the idea behind the kinetic aspect of the
piece. By pulling the sides you can wear the central crystal as a coacher or
have it lay lower on your chest, you decide how you want to wear it.
Peter has
many ideas for this design as he loves to use synthetic material. Why not have
a synthetic sapphire bar? Or do you prefer ruby, or emerald, maybe amethyst, or
even alexandrite? Stay tuned for more! You can view Peters work in studio or
via his Instagram @vwgoudsmid or his website www.vwgoudsmid.com.
With December just around the corner, I know you’re starting to think about your Christmas shopping! Our ace display wizard, Alexis of Glaciale Goldsmith has worked her magic to create some great new displays of fabulous gift suggestions in the retail shop.
With several levels of budget-friendly suggestions of awesome work from our resident goldsmiths, I know you’re sure to find something unique and perfect for that special someone!
Browse the shop and spot the tags:
Like this one on these stunning lapis lazuli rings fromShafiqof Shafiq’s Jewelry, or these gorgeous new earrings from Vera Wei. (I really want a pair of these!)
Don’t forget that our holiday party at the studio is coming up, featuring a once in a blue moon discount! Plus fun with all of us, including a photo booth. Hope to you there!
Finally, have you heard about the Roncy Reindeer competition? Running now, until the end of December, shop on Roncesvalles and snap pictures of the reindeers for a chance to win a gift certificate from the Roncevalles Village BIA!
Spot: the reindeer in store front windows and gardens and along Roncesvalles Avenue Snap: a photo of the Reindeer (you can include yourself if you’d like!) Send or share: email to or share on Instagram or Facebook page (but make sure you include the hashtag!) to be automatically entered #RoncyReindeer! See the link to get more info!
Make sure to tag us too, if you spot our reindeers (#jewelenvy). Here are a couple of teaser photos of the totally bling reindeer we have at the studio:
I totally want to take that iridescent blinged out reindeer home! In any case, have fun spotting all the reindeer on the street, and hope to see you soon!
