Jewel Envy has a new flameworking setup! With a way to fire-proof the benches and easily swap between torches, we now have the opportunity to teach glass classes in the future!
New Flameworking Setup at Jewel Envy
Tag: #jewelenvy
SNAG (Society of North American Goldsmiths)
SNAG is an inclusive community committed to advancing the multifaceted field of metalsmithing, jewelry and adornment by inspiring creativity and furthering education and opportunities.
Every year, SNAG hosts conferences and symposiums for metalsmiths, jewelers and makers. They happen in different North American Cultural hubs. This year the symposium is in Detroit and exciting news, cue the drumroll, will be happening in Halifax, Nova Scotia!
The theme for the Halifax symposium is Assemblage — where ocean air, creative energy, and a strong culture of making come together.
Materials and Finishes….
I thought I’d spotlight some of the less usual materials and finishes that our goldsmiths use in their work at the studio.
(Starting from the left)
ribbon earrings by Eunice Lin with e-ceramic coating over sterling silver
steel inlay ring by Hyewon Jang
glass micromosaic earrings by Alexis Kostuk
Copper and sterling silver mokume gane ring by Gillian batcher
Steel rust brooch by Alex Kinsley Vey
Acrylic and pearl earrings by Edna Milevsky
Needled felt and sterling silver pendant by Robin Cassady-Cain
Come visit us and check out what else is here! Don’t forget, the studio is celebrating its 20th anniversary, with fun swag and jewellery for lucky golden ticket winners. Get a chance to win with all online purchases in August!
Sunny Sunday at the studio
I’m low-key obsessed with this emerald drop necklace by studio member Shafiq Sarwari. Drop in to see it in person (as well as the other amazing pieces he has available!).
Hard at Work
Here is a sneak peak of award-winning Jamie, preparing for her return to high profile exhibitions this summer, including TOAF, at Nathan Phillips Square.
Understanding the difference between art jewellery, studio jewellery and costume jewellery
Jewelry exists on a broad spectrum, ranging from mass-produced fashion accessories to highly conceptual works of wearable art. Three commonly used terms within this spectrum are costume jewelry, studio jewelry, and art jewelry. While they can sometimes overlap in appearance, they differ significantly in their purpose, methods of production, and relationship to artistic expression. Understanding these distinctions helps consumers, collectors, and jewelry enthusiasts appreciate the diverse roles jewelry can play in both fashion and contemporary art.
Costume jewelry is primarily designed as a fashion accessory. Often produced in large quantities, it is typically made from less expensive materials such as plated metals, glass, resin, acrylic, or synthetic stones. Its purpose is to complement current fashion trends and provide an affordable alternative to fine jewelry.
Studio jewelry, by contrast, is created by independent makers who design and fabricate their work in personal studios rather than factories. Studio jewelers are directly involved in every stage of production, resulting in pieces that emphasize craftsmanship, originality, and the artist’s individual vision. Materials may range from precious metals and gemstones to found objects and alternative materials.
Art jewelry takes the concept of jewelry a step further by prioritizing artistic and conceptual expression. While many art jewelers work in studio settings, their pieces are often created to communicate ideas, tell stories, or challenge traditional notions of adornment and value. Art jewelry may use unconventional materials, experimental techniques, or symbolic forms, positioning the work closer to sculpture or fine art than fashion accessory.
Although the boundaries between studio jewelry and art jewelry are fluid, the distinction lies in emphasis: studio jewelry highlights the maker and the handcrafted process, while art jewelry highlights the artistic message. Together, these categories illustrate how jewelry can function as fashion, craft, and art simultaneously.
Introducing Brianna
My name is Brianna, and I am a multimedia designer and maker who specializes in flameworking borosilicate glass. During my time at Sheridan, where I received my Bachelor’s of Craft and Design, I realized I particularly enjoyed making glass jewellery. I loved the intricacy involved in working small-scale. Now, I am enrolled in the Jewellery Methods program at George Brown Polytechnic with the aspiration of combining my glasswork with precious metal! As a detail-oriented person who loves creating, I always strive to create imaginative pieces that push the boundaries of the material I am working with as well as my own skills. I am super grateful to have the opportunity to continue my journey at Jewel Envy, and am excited to keep making!
Get Your Greens
Spring and Summer are all about green! Spring ushers in the lovely new deep green foliage we all love to see, and Summer gives us our limes and chartreuse.
In the Jewellery world, however, the months of May and August celebrate the same hues…
Drop by Jewel Envy and celebrate Green!
Earliest signs of Jewellery
Since the beginning of time, people have worn jewellery. The earliest known traces of jewellery date back to the Middle Stone Age, showing that personal adornment has been part of human culture for tens of thousands of years. Archaeologists have discovered some of the oldest examples in Bizmoune Cave in Morocco, where 33 perforated marine shell beads made from the species Tritia gibbosula were found. These beads are estimated to be around 142,000 years old, making them the oldest known jewellery currently identified. The shells were deliberately pierced and likely strung together as necklaces or attached to clothing. Because the shells originated from the coast—roughly 50 km away—researchers believe early humans intentionally collected and transported them, suggesting symbolic or social meaning rather than accidental accumulation.
Another important discovery comes from Blombos Cave in South Africa, where archaeologists uncovered 41 perforated shells from the species Nassarius kraussianus dating to about 75,000 years ago. These shells were selected for their similar size and had small holes drilled through them, with wear marks indicating they were strung together as beads. Some also contain traces of red ochre pigment, suggesting they were either painted or worn by individuals who used body pigments. The discovery provided strong evidence that early humans were already engaging in symbolic behavior, using jewellery to communicate identity, social status, or group membership. (Scientific American)
Evidence from other archaeological sites supports the idea that jewellery-making was widespread among early humans. Similar pierced shell ornaments made from Nassarius shells have been found at sites in Israel, Algeria, and Morocco, some dating to around 100,000 years ago. These artifacts are considered early forms of personal adornment and are often associated with the emergence of symbolic thinking and social communication in early Homo sapiens. The consistent design and evidence of wear suggest these objects were not random decorations but meaningful cultural items used to signal identity, relationships, or group affiliation in prehistoric societies.
Sources
- Guinness World Records – “Oldest jewellery” (Bizmoune Cave beads) (Guinness World Records)
- Scientific American – “Ancient Shells May Be Earliest Jewels” (Scientific American)
- The African History – “The world’s oldest jewellery is from Africa c. 75,000 years ago” (The African History)
- Wikipedia – Nassarius (archaeological use and early shell beads) (Wikipedia)
Why silver prices have gone up so much
Silver prices have gone up mainly because more people want silver than there is available. It’s no longer used just for jewellery — it’s a key material in solar panels, electric vehicles, computer chips, and modern electronics, all of which are growing fast. Mining silver takes time, and new supply can’t ramp up quickly, so demand is outpacing production. On top of that, when the world feels uncertain due to wars, economic slowdowns, or debt worries, people often turn to precious metals like silver as a safer place to put their money, which pushes prices higher.
Another reason prices are climbing is financial investing. Large investors are buying silver through funds that physically store the metal, which means less silver is available on the open market. When supply is tied up in vaults and exchange inventories are low, prices rise. At the same time, things like a weaker U.S. dollar, expectations of lower interest rates, and fears about inflation make silver more attractive as a way to protect money’s value — adding even more pressure for prices to keep going up.
What this means for handmade jewellery?
Material Costs for Jewelry Makers Go Up
When silver spot prices rise sharply, the raw material cost for your pieces goes up too — whether you’re using sterling grain, sheet, wire, or casting grain. Jewellers don’t usually buy metal at old prices indefinitely: suppliers tend to base casting grain & wholesale metal costs on recent spot price averages, so costs rise with the market.
Result:
- Your cost per ounce of silver increases — which directly raises the cost of production.
- Profit margins shrink if you don’t raise prices.
- Many makers raise retail prices of silver jewelry accordingly.
Retail Prices Likely Rise (Consumers Pay More)
Because silver is now more expensive, most brands and artisans will either:
- Increase retail prices, or
- Reduce the amount of silver in designs to keep prices accessible.
That means:
- Simple earrings that once sold for, say, C$50–90 may edge upward.
- Larger, heavier pieces (e.g., chunky bracelets, large pendants) become proportionally more expensive.
In Canada, this is amplified because the silver price saw record levels in Canadian dollars as well as USD.