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.
Hard at Work
Tag: #jewelenvy
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.
Happy New Year!
We hope everyone had a good holiday period, and is facing the beginning of 2026 with renewed optimism and enthusiasm! Just a few PSAs: there’s lots of new jewellery in the studio, some of it totally uplifting! Stop in and say hi, and browse – we’d love to see you!
Thinking about taking a class? Just a reminder that we’ve had to put up our class prices for 2026, sadly the increases in metal prices and inflation mean that we need to adjust our classes. It’s not all bad news, though – if you have a gift certificate from 2025, you can book your class in January or February at the 2025 pricing!
Enjoy the wintry weather – we’ve passed the shortest day, so although it’s cold and showy, the daylight is definitely getting longer!
New work by House of Cassady, available in studio now.
Happy Sunday!
The Baroque Period and its jewellery
Did you ever wonder when in history was the Baroque Period? It was after the renaissance from the early 17th century to the mid-18th century. This was an extravagant time marked by social, political and artistic transformations. When one thinks of Baroque jewelry, it shows a sense of drama, grandeur and ornamentation. Also, you can think of Baroque jewelry as jewelry that has intricate craftsmanship and the use of precious materials.
While the Renaissance period embraced linear and harmonious aesthetics and forms, the Baroque style embraced a more dynamic and theatrical style.
So why was this era so extravagant and full of drama and grandeur? Well, during this time, the Catholic Church was trying to reassert its dominance through elaborate displays of wealth and opulence. So, you could say it was a movement; an artistic movement which influenced not only jewelry but also music, literature and architecture.
Baroque jewelry, with its intricate designs and lavish use of gemstones, became a symbol of wealth and status during this period. The jewelry of the Baroque era often featured elaborate motifs such as flowers, leaves, and scrolls, meticulously crafted in gold or silver. Precious gemstones like diamonds, rubies, and emeralds were also incorporated into the designs, adding a touch of opulence and luxury.
One of the key characteristics of Baroque jewelry was its emphasis on movement and dynamism. Pieces were designed to catch the light and sparkle, enhancing the overall effect. Necklaces, bracelets, and earrings were often adorned with cascading gemstones or intricate chains, creating a sense of fluidity and motion.
1 Day Stacking Ring Workshop Sunday November 16th, 2025
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.
