Author: Jewel Envy

Born in May? Emeralds are your birthstone

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I just love the hues that emeralds come in, don’t you?  Although my favourite colour is generally blue, I’ve always been drawn to the green of emeralds.  Somehow, for me, it’s a colour unlike any other gemstone. 

taken from https://pixabay.com

Here are some fun facts about emeralds:

They are made from the mineral beryl (we’ll skip the formal chemical name, that’s just too complicated!), and it’s not the only gemstone that is beryl (for example, aquamarine is a beryl as well).  What makes it an emerald are the minute impurities of chromium or vanadium which give emeralds their characteristic green colour (yes, I was a biochemistry geek in another life!).

Emeralds are also known to generally be “soft” scoring around 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale of hardness (for comparison, diamonds are a 10), generally because the number of inclusions, or impurities in the stone.

Gachala Emerald, taken from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gachala_Emerald_3526711557_849c4c7367.jpg

The first known emerald is thought to have been mined in Egypt around 1500 BC, that’s a pretty long time ago!! However, although Columbia is the largest current producing of gemstone quality emerald, the stone is found all over the world, including

There is some interesting (and bizarre) folklore surrounding emeralds, too. Apparently, putting an emerald under your tongue can help you see the future, and they were believed to act as a “truth potion” to indicate whether your lover was telling the truth. Something a bit more believable is that emerald was thought to relax and relieve eye strain.  Maybe I’ll have to test the truth of that one!

Here’s some more eye candy showing some of the different shapes and cuts that you find for emeralds:

taken from: https://www.mycrowndowntown.com/jewelry-education/gemstones/emerald-gemstone-jewelry/

That’s all from me for today, but why not pop into the studio and check out our gemstone jewellery?

Moonstones

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To learn more about moonstones check out GIA’s description  


Visit out Instagram to take a look at a beautiful pair of earrings featuring moonstones.

And as always, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to help you track down the perfect moonstone (or any other gem) to create a custom piece of jewellery for you. 

*all pics were found on google, with specific details noted on a couple.

This shield shape is gorgeous and one of a kind, found through here

Pic from GIA

 

Stacking rings and inspiration for a Saturday!

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Happy Saturday, readers!

I thought I’d talk a bit about one of my
favourite British jewellers, Wendy Ramshaw,

 

who passed away at the beginning of this
year. Wendy was a very successful goldsmith with a distinctive style, and you can find her pieces all over the world.

 

taken from: https://www.amandamansell.com/blogs/news/celebrating-women

 

There are a lot of things that I
like and admire about her work, but what I remember and think about the most are her
iconic stacking rings that she made to be stored on unique
lathe-turned pillars. Here are a few examples:
taken from: https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/articles/wendy-ramshaw-5-best-projects/

 

taken from: https://www.goldsmithsfair.co.uk/visit/special-exhibitions/wendy-ramshaw-modern-jewellery/

 

 

. 

Aren’t they amazing?  If you have a chance to see her work in
person, I really recommend it.
Stacking rings remain very popular. They’re
great because they offer a multitude of different configurations, and whenever
I see them, I think of Wendy Ramshaw.
Here are some examples from the studio: 

 

https://jewelenvy.ca/node/399

 

 
https://jewelenvy.ca/node/179

 

https://jewelenvy.ca/node/5

 

Visit the studio to check out our selection of stacking rings, learn to make your own, or commission some of your own unique rings!

 

Happy Sunday Jewel Envy Followers!

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Happy Sunday Jewel Envy Followers!

Its Jess here, and I’m back today with blog #2 of the weekend. I’m a fan of tradition and since yesterday’s post was about the folklore and mythology of my absolute favourite gemstone, I figured I would stick to the theme and give you some background on another fan favourite of mine…..drumroll….Amazonite!

A true beauty, soft, semi-opaque, and a blueish turquoise hue, reminding me of the waters of a deserted island, Amazonite is a stone associated with the throat chakra. This is the part of our energy body that we associate with effective communication. It is said that wearing Amazonite will help to enhance your ability to delivery presentations, negotiate and have impactful conversations.

Legends have it that Amazonite was originally found in the Amazon river (hence the name). The coolest part of the mythology to me is it’s association with the fierce mythical warrior women- the Amazons. These women were a force to be reckoned with, adorning the Amazonite stone on their sheilds during battle, they believed that it gave them the ability to heal and protect. This is why it is referred to as the stone of feminine power and courage.

So you may want to think about incorporating a piece of Amazonite in your jewellery box, ready to go for those days you want to embody that warrior spirit or need just that little extra boost of courage for the day! If you would like that custom piece of courage made just for you, come in and see us! We’ve got you covered 🙂

Thanks for stopping by Sunday Readers! This was a fun journey for me into my love for gemstones and mythology this weekend – see you again next month! Enjoy your Sunday 🙂

Jess

 

Labradorite: The Legend of the Northern Lights

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Today’s blog post is about my absolute FAVOURITE gemstone – Labradorite. 🙂 Not only am I in serious love with the luminescence,
majestic and shimmering nature of the stone, but  I also love the
legends and history behind it.

Labradorite was first found in 1770 by Morovian
missionaries in the Isle of Paul, near Nain Labrador, Canada.
Thus, the gem was named as such ‘Labradorite’. The gem has made its way to Europe in the 18th century and became extremely popular, as no 2 pieces are identical, it was highly coveted and valued in jewelry in England and France. 

According to the Eskimo Inuit and the Native American
Innu of Labrador, legend has it that in the ancient times, the Aurora Borealis were
entombed within the rocks on the shoreline of Labrador. One day, an Inuit
warrior found it, and struck the rocks with his spear, and the lights exploded into sky, creating what we know today as the Northern Lights. However,  he wasn’t
able to free all of them, which is why today we are blessed with the stone of the lights, Labradorite.

Another legend claims that a Mighty Being
would stroke the rocks in order to travel to the sky. Norse mythology states that the
Northern Lights were created by gods and were meant to be freed to be a
bridge to the heavens. In Oriental culture, it was called the “phenomenal gem” to be worn on
Saturdays. There’s also a myth that the lights
inside Labradorite are aliens or evolved beings trying to connect to us. 
Whatever you may or may not believe, I think we can all agree on one thing, the stone is stunning. Maybe if I wear it enough, I will get magical powers too! 

Happy Shimmering Saturday to all of you! I’m here all weekend, stop by!

Jess

Michelle from Edmonton

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Hello! My first blog post with Jewel Envy will be about….ME!

I’m Michelle, Of Mich Matched Metals.

My partner and I have relocated to Toronto from Edmonton! He is  here to study and I am here to adventure and build my little business.

I’ve been in the studio for a couple weeks now. Follow me on Instagram to see what I’m up to! I’m currently working on my Sport collection and Infinity Peak Collection, with a few custom pieces thrown in. I will be sure to share when they are complete!

Have a great Wednesday!

Alternative Materials in Jewelry.

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Hello Sunday Readers,

Personal jewelry preferences
used to be simple: platinum or gold and diamonds; rubies, emeralds, sapphires
and some precious gemstones. No more. Today, high jewelry can
include unconventional materials, they are many times combined with
precious stones, like diamonds, rubies, and more.
A combination of unconventional materials
transcends all boundaries of creativity giving birth of works of art.
The point is to mix precious metals with
non-precious, to add components like wood, plastic, glass, resins, etc., and
created unique and beautiful jewelry.
The contemporary jewelry is sourced from thousands
of years of history and research and designers continue to use
precious  metals  and
stones  as  the
essence  of  the product,
but renewing, reinventing and experimenting with  new materials,  techniques and concepts.  The result of this innovation is the
surprising list of different materials, enabling the magnitude of shapes and
designs.
An incredible example of this news techniques is
the work of Vera Wei.
Vera’s pieces in the windows on Roncevalles
at Jewel Envy are a display of imagination, fine work and unique design.
Vera Wei was born in China and then studied in the United States
before completing her major in jewellery with a minor in photography in the
Material Art and Design program at OCAD University in Toronto, Canada.
Vera Wei’s Wood-ball Earrings.
Vera specializes in a minimalist approach while integrating
mechanical and kinetic characteristics into her jewellery pieces. She loves
combining alternative and traditional materials to produce jewellery pieces
that redefine modernity and fashion.

                                     

Vera Wei’s Origami Ring
She believes each piece of jewellery has a significant story
embedded and it is up to the public and wearer to interpret the artists’
intention through observation, wear and touch.
Enjoy her incredible work and the work of the goldsmiths at
Jewel Envy.
Have a nice Sunday
Helena

Gem discovery in Canada and a national treasure

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I search for gems a lot through google, so every once in a while information about gemstones pops up in my news feed. I came across a great article about the discovery of cobalt blue spinel deposits on Baffin Island. Although spinels come in a variety of colours the intensity of these natural deposits are amazing (and incredibly rare), take a look:

 

 I wanted to include another image on this post so I googled gemstones of Canada and came across ammolite. 
Ammolite cabochons ready to set in pieces of jewellery
Ammolite is an opal-like organic gemstone. Ammolite is the official gemstone of the Province of Alberta and is considered a Canadian National Treasure. – Alexis

Time back at school!

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Hello Sunday Readers,
I have now some work for a client that love
tiny and beautiful pieces! This pair of white gold and diamonds earrings are in
my bench, I still have a lot of work to do before they will be chaining and beautiful.

 


Among the daily things I spend my time at
work, I have now some pieces that appertain a my “new time back at school”!
Yes, time to learn and enjoying having the opportunity of discovery and
cheer time with other goldsmiths and people that love doing jewelry as I do!
Never is too late to give yourself the time
to learn, I miss school so much! Having someone to tell you how to improve and
get better even if you have some knowledge, it’s a gift.
At the studio at Jewel Envy we give many different types
of classes, from beginning techniques to advanced ones, my class is called Gem
setting, it’s a eight weeks class, and my class mates and I, we are working
in the setting of stones in 3 rings, and 3 pendants, with synthetic sapphires,
rubies, garnets calibrated for the settings. We will get the burs for the
settings, and broken burs to make 2 specialized tools that will make gem
setting much easier.



My first class was last Tuesday, I have
already resized two of the three rings and give them the first cleaning, in the one we are
working now is this pendant with a bezel setting, my teacher Mauricio, one of
my coworkers will have next Tuesday more new tips to make look the synthetic sapphire like a real diamond! after the last polish I will have a gorgeous piece, still amassing to enjoy every one in gold or silver, with real or synthetic stones, all are beautiful and mean the world to me! 



I know, it sounds challenging but I’m having
great time. You can do it too, get more knowledge or learn new things! Come to
see us or look in our website, we always have something especially for you!
It’s now the best time ever,  give
yourself the chance to change a little bit the hectic live we run every day!
Have a nice Sunday.
Helena

From an Interns Perspective

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Hi, my name is Ellen and I am an intern at Jewel Envy. I study Fashion Business Industry in George Brown College and I am taking jewellery classes through continuing education. Working at Jewel Envy have taught me lots in various aspects, such as different techniques, maintenance, working style of different designers and my working style. Some techniques I have learned include wire production, gold plating and I also got to use a laser welding machine for the first time here!

I had an opportunity to work for other designers while working at Jewel Envy and it was a great exposure to different aesthetics of work.  Working for different designers meant different work styles, which I was glad to experience because I would be more flexible working for other designers in the future. Of course, there were times I did not feel as good as other days but I have learned to count these times as an experience and it is another step for me to walk out further.

I am more than grateful that I have started my journey in Jewel Envy, with great people who make beautiful work. This is my last semester at George Brown College, and I am happy to conclude my college years with Jewel Envy. I will definitely keep in touch and hoping to introduce myself as an experienced goldsmith next time. Wish me luck!

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