Tag: #jewelenvy
Mokume Gane
Mokume Gane is a Japanese metal crafting technique where there is a layering of different-colored metals and in the end, you get beautiful wood grain patterns.
This technique was developed approximately 400 years ago in the Japanese Edo period.
The name Mokume Gane resembles rosewood grain.
Some of our goldsmiths here make Mokume Gane jewellery.
Sapphire, then Opal
“Sapphire, then opal” is something many jewellers say halfway through September. In four weeks, we will say “Opal, then topaz”. It is the cycle of birthstones, and right now, we are in sapphire, aka September.
Centuries ago, gemstones were mostly identified by colour. Blue was sapphire, Red was ruby, Green was emerald, etc. Sapphires came in a variety of blue hues, and still do. Mined sapphires may exhibit telltale characteristics of their country of origin. Lab grown sapphire colours will reflect the hues most in demand.
One of North America’s claim to fame are Montana sapphires, which are unique upon first glance.
As technology became more sophisticated, we learned that all blue stones are not sapphires, and that sapphires come in many, many different colours.
Sapphire is always a favourite. If you’ve been by the studio, you have probably met our greeter pup, named Sapphire. We have many sapphires in stock, but none are more precious than her.
Drop by for a visit soon!
1 Day Earring Workshop Saturday October 18th, 2025
8 Week Introductory Fabrication Wednesday September 17th, 2025
Congrats Grads
There are many times of the year that people can graduate from their studies and programs, but social media feeds are certainly full of scholarly pride at the moment.
When my own daughter was finishing her last year of high school and choosing university, I thought of a way I could use my craft to celebrate her work and focus on what was ahead. I created rings with themes that subtly referred to tassels and books to celebrate graduating. Instead of nondescript designs, or rings so striking, she looked like she was celebrating a winning touchdown, I wanted to gift her a ring that would mean something special to her, based on her achievement and her goals… that she would actually wear.
This year, she is about to graduate with a Ba Hons, with sights on two separate Master’s degrees in the future, so I am thinking about these rings again. As stacking rings, she can continue to wear her tassel ring from high school, add one for her Ba, and later, one for each Master’s.
We can use Stirling for her understudies and gold for her graduate studies. We could use tassel rings all of the way, or book rings with a name of a degree on each one.
What combo would you choose?
You can find my handmade focus/grad rings at Jewel Envy, under Jennifer Trotman/Frekkeldesigns. I have some sizes/designs already in stock, and can make more in the metal/size of your choice, come by with a loved one in mind, or to try one on yourself. We can also create a wish list, so that someone can drop by and pick up a grad ring to your exact specifications.
Do you have another life goal to celebrate or achieve? Make an appointment to see me at the studio, and I’ll be happy to design something that suits your needs.
Thank you,
Jennifer
Put us on your List!
Are you in Toronto before Hannukah and Christmas and looking to explore local shops?
Whether you are feeling topsy-turvy, on a mission, or relaxed and taking in the sights and sounds of city, you are welcome to come and see us at the Jewel Envy Studio today (until 6pm), tomorrow (10am-6pm), and Tuesday (10am-4:30).
We have lots of unique gifts and lovely pieces to look at that will have you spinning or centered, depending on your preference.
Just look for the biggest blue house in Roncesvalles, on the corner of Roncesvalles and Marion Street.
Happy Holidays!
Gemstone Basics – Part 2
Gemstone Basics – Part 2
Colour is not the best way to determine what a stone is. The colour is a clue, but not the answer as gemstones usually come in a variety of colours for each species. Just because it is blue doesn’t make it a sapphire, red doesn’t make it a garnet and purple doesn’t make it an amethyst.
These are the most commonly recognized colours for each of the mentioned stones, but gemstones have a specific chemical composition and the presence of different minerals within the composition creates different colours.
Some examples of gemstones that are easily confused include sapphire, ruby, garnet, beryl, iolite and amethyst. Sapphires come in every colour of the rainbow except red with the red being referred to as ruby. Beryl comes in a variety of colours and the red variety can closely resemble garnet and ruby. iolite and tanzanite are purple stones that can be confused with amethyst.
Most people have a particular colour I mind when looking for a gemstone rather than a concern over the species of the stone. Ask your jeweller about your options for stones based on what colour you want. Different stones have different price points and contain different properties that will affect how you wear and care for them.
Conversely, if you know you want a particular variety of stone (for working properties, historical significance, rarity etc.) ask about colour options so you know the full range of possibilities for the stone in your new piece.
If you are uncertain about the types of stones in your jewellery, ask a jeweller to get an appraisal for you before doing any work on the piece of jewellery. Most jewellers are not gemologists, but many will be able to identify stones based on their personal studies or experience. Goldsmiths will rarely give you a definitive answer on an expensive stone without an appraisal.
See last month’s blog for part 1. An overview of the different types of gemstones and their suitability in jewellery.
To knot or not to knot.
To knot or not to knot, which gems need a knot for protection?
Knots between beads are often used as a decorative element but they also serve a function within some pieces of jewellery, creating a protective barrier between beads so that they are not damaged by rubbing against each other during normal wear.
Pearls benefit from knots between each bead but this is only necessary in higher quality pearl pieces.
Rice and seed pearls rarely have knots between each bead as they are inexpensive and worn more as fashion pieces than as fine jewellery pieces, although there are higher end pearls from these families that you would want to protect.
Other soft stones that benefit from knotting between beads include turquoise, amber, jet and coral, but there are many more.
’20 Tips on maintaining our Jewellery’, Gillian E. Batcher, 2013
Big Blue Renovation
Jewel Envy started with partnerships and cooperation. The family and collective has grown, so too does our studio space. In our continued tradition of “all hands on deck”, Gillian’s troops are working hard to prepare the space for more equipment, more expertise, and more possibilities. We’re almost there!