Commemorative jewellery using ashes

I get a lot of people asking if I can make jewellery with a loved ones ashes.

I can physically do it. But I rather not. It’s not my specialty. My specialty is making commemorative jewellery from old jewellery.

There are smiths out there that have found ingenious ways to create memorial jewellery with ashes and I would suggest using their services.

For example, Morgan from North Faun Jewellery (see her instagram here). Her process sounds beautiful and practised. From her website:

…the cremains undergo a unique journey in which they are combined with powdered diamonds, clear glass, and a few other bits of magic in a high-heat process. The cremation gem is then set beneath it's glass or natural gemstone within the setting that's been created just for you.

In the process of becoming a solid memorial stone, the ashes that you've sent will become a deeper, darker colour than when they are "dry", and the colours that appear once they are solidified into a gem have a wide range: from near-white, cream, tan, brown, grey, and black. Some may even have tiny flecks of blue, green, or other colours within them…

Read more here.

There are also a lot of glass artists who can incorporate ashes into glass jewellery, ornaments, bowls, etc.

What is the difference between a goldsmith and jeweller?

Technically, a goldsmith makes the jewellery and a jeweller sells it.

But, if the goldsmith is like myself (a one man show) then they are also a jeweller!

I often call myself a jeweller as it’s a more recognized term than goldsmith. When I say I’m a goldsmith, 50% of people ask me what that is. Yes, 50%. Today’s shopper is used to going to a store to buy jewellery from a display case where they are attended to buy a jeweller/customer service representative. Back in the day, you’d go to your local goldsmith. So the knowledge of the term and it’s use has shifted greatly over the years.

Before you found your way to me, my blog, and this article, did you know what a goldsmith was?

Georgia Straight Feature

I did a thing guys! I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Sara Harowitz for The Georgia Straight. You can read the article HERE.

Working from home with a rogue 2 year old

This is my life. I’m often taking jewellery photos in the presence of a rogue 2 year old. He often makes an appearance in the photos. I mean, I get it. It’s hard not to want to grab the shiny, pretty things.

What do clients most often feel after a jewellery makeover?

RELIEF: what people feel most when I melt their old jewellery into something new. Why? Because people are usually overwhelmed by the pile of jewellery they bring me to melt. Not just by the fact that they don't know what to do with all of it, but also by all the memories that flood them while they explain each piece to me.

They feel relief when they no longer have a pile of jewellery they don't like or use taking up space in their jewellery box (Marie Kondo anyone?)

They feel relief knowing that their beloved memories are still alive in their new piece of jewellery they are excited to wear.

They feel relief that the jewellery I made them is better than the mock-up I drew them.

They feel relief for no longer having to look at jewellery their ex gave them. And even more relief when I send them a video of me torching it.

They feel relief for finally having the courage to melt down that horrid ring from their parents.

I often feel like I'm reading someone's diary hearing about what each piece of jewellery makes them feel. It's a lot of feelings. And although I'm here for the feels, I also feel relieved wrapping it all up into something they can make new memories in.

Last accidental selfie of 2023

On the last work day of the year, I always clean my bench. I opened my camera to take a photo and took this instead. So here you go!

I got through my “to deal with later” pile, organized my refinery piles, and even prepped materials for jobs coming down the pipe.

Thanks to everyone who supported me in 2023 and everyone who is lined up to do so in 2024. I am lucky to have so many wonderful clients who trust me with their work, have patience for my slowness, and who appreciate my storytelling.

SURPRISE: 2023 Christmas Rings

The day is here! I’ve been quietly working away on these for 6 months. When I first started these, it felt like Christmas was so far away and HERE WE ARE!

These rings are made of 14k and feature and assortment of precious gems like diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, spinels, and topaz.

I will be posting one a day to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas (early)! They will all be posted to my website on December 13th but if you see one you like, you can call dibs on it beforehand!

Watching it burn

Lots of clients ask for a video of their old jewellery being torched and I'm happy to oblige. It means something different for everyone but they all agree that it's satisfying. In this case, I melted an unwanted ring from a complicated relationship. You can see the video on my instagram here.

There doesn't always have to be meaning to the new pieces by the way. Sometimes I make sentimental pieces. Sometimes I literally make something because it's cool. Pick your own adventure 😎

2023 New Westminster Cultural Crawl

It’s here! And so is my new sterling silver collection I’ve been working on! I didn’t get all of the pieces done but part 2 of this collection is on my to do list.

I hope you’ll enjoy the crawl and visit all of the artists who have worked so hard to pull this weekend together. The EARTH with out ART is just EH. I know, so cliche. But without all of these artists in our community we’d have a pretty boring city. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this weekend a reality and to everyone who showed up to support their local artists!

2023 New West Cultural Crawl Inspiration

I started thinking about this collection after my travels to Europe in April. My favourite part of travelling is wandering aimlessly finding architectural treasures and magical little specialty shops, spending several carefree hours people watching and drinking coffee at quaint little cafes, and finding street art that tells a cities stories through bright pops of colour.

The collection I created makes me think of magical mysteries; delicate two-toned pieces weaved together by magic, or larger pieces with an energetic pop of colour. I think of twinkling lights over small alleys that take you to secret little patios. I think of twilight (the time between sunset and dusk - not the movie!) and hidden smiles.

Most of my work is fine jewellery; gold with precious gems in polished, symmetrical pieces. My cultural crawl collection is made of sterling silver with tiny gold details and semi-precious stones. It is much more organic in its shapes, textures, and symmetry. My creative process for each piece in this collection was similar to how I wander when I travel: wandering around and full of wonder.

The colourway for the collection is vibrant and full of life! I’m using sapphires, turquoise, prehnite, tourmalines, tourmalinated quartz, leopard opals, black onyx, moonstone, and a few more depending on how inspiration hits me.

The collection will be available October 14 and 15 during the New Westminster Cultural Crawl. I will be located at Good Omen on 6th street. I hope you will come visit!

See more inspiration photos on my Pinterest board here.

2023 New West Cultural Crawl

It’s that time of year again! This is my 4th crawl and I will be hosting my 5th custom jewellery event at Good Omen shop in New Westminster! I hope you will come visit!

Holiday Hindsight

Not going to lie…I came back from our European holidays exhausted. And when you’re exhausted, then jet-lagged, and then have to catch up and get back into work/life mode, it’s hard to truly appreciate the fun times you just had. And thankfully, I worked my ass off before I left for the trip so I could have a week when I got back to find brain cells to rub together. If I hadn’t of done that, oh boy!

But now that the dust has settled and I’m culling through all the photos to make photo books, I’m really starting to remember the details that made our trip special. I’m remembering the things that made us laugh, what the coffee on my quiet little patio in Mykonos tasted like, the smell of roses in Madrid, the sound of the waves gently lapping at the shore in Methoni…

Actually excited to plan another holiday! Whenever that might be!

Green Aquamarine's

Aquamarine’s are one of my favourite gemstones, especially the green variety!

Aquas are usually more blue and are often confused with the lighter shades of blue topaz. But an aqua with green undertones…is one of a kind! Whenever my gem broker pulls out the tray of aquas and I see a green one, I literally jump for joy. If you can believe it, despite being rare, they are actually not considered to have a favourable colour in terms of what people are looking for when it comes to aquas. Blows my mind!

I would love another excuse to go play with a tray full of aquas so please feel free to order an aqua so I can start my favourite kind of gem hunt!

Family Love

I love when a client brings in some sentimental jewellery and asks me to turn it into several pieces for family members. I get to be part of something so special! It’s a beautiful way to create a piece of commemorative jewellery that holds the love of ancestors.

The possibilities are endless: same design and materials for everyone, or same design but different gemstones, or same materials but different designs, or every piece completely different! It’s fun to see all the pieces made and lined up together!

Is this something you would do with your family?

Let's talk about opals

I love opals. They are so magical and a true wonder! That being said, they aren’t great for everyday wear! For birthstone jewellery designs that requires a gem-cut stone, tourmalines are the alternative for opals as opals are usually cabochons.

If you really want an opal ring, no problem! But keep in mind that they are delicate and can easily crack. They are best suited for special occasion rings.

If you want an everyday opal piece, I would suggest considering an opal pendant using a full cabochon (not a triplet or doublet).

Doublets/triplets can be used for special occasion pieces. They are held together by glue which if exposed to water on a regular basis, will deteriorate and fall apart. Especially if it’s old because the backing materials and glue compounds have aged and also, the materials they used to use weren’t as effective as they are now.

I don’t want to deter anyone from using opals as they are truly so magical. Let’s chat about how we can make the most durable opal piece of jewellery just for you!

Holidays 2023

I’m back!

I’d be lying if I said my trip wasn’t exhausting. It was fun. But really tiring! Despite visiting quite a few places in Greece, we still managed to take it really slow. It was hard at first because I’m used to running around like a chicken with my head cut-off who struggles to enjoy the moment. But in hindsight, I’m realizing that it was busy accommodating and chasing a two year old so the extra slowness is what we needed to unwind.

In Spain, we just hung out. We had intended on taking some day trips but honestly, with Atlas hating his stroller, we decided that wandering around drinking coffee was what we needed to do!

If you are waiting to hear from me, I’ll be in touch soon!

Metamorphosis 46: Emerald and diamond ring

White gold ring with diamonds and emeralds!

I thought I would have this metamorphosis done by last fall, but here we are…in March! I just couldn't decide what to make.

Leanna has a beautiful collection of jewellery and certain pieces that she doesn't change often, so I wanted to make something unique but also that she could wear daily, and that also worked well with her daily pieces.

I intended on making a two-toned piece but ended up feeling that white gold was the way to go.

The ring is wide at the top but tapered in the back for comfort.

Sapphire and diamond pendant

On today’s lesson of what to do with leftover stones from old jewellery you’ve had taken apart: make a stunning bezel cluster necklace and then find the perfect light to take a photo in!

Engraved Signet Ring and Lab-Sapphire Collab with Warren Smith

I work with some amazing people! This lab-created sapphire was cut by the talented Evan Gross and the ring was engraved by Warren Smith.

This ring was actually for Evan and I’m honoured that he picked me to make it! I used an old silver ring he had and turned it into a signet ring.

You can see what Evan has in stock in his Etsy shop here, and you can see more of Warren’s amazing engravings at his website here.

Lab diamonds versus mined diamonds

Imagine finding this under your Christmas tree! This lab-diamond beauty is a whopping 4.22 carats of magic.

So what’s the deal with lab diamonds versus mined diamonds? First, price. Lab diamonds are much less than mined diamonds. That being said, mined diamonds hold their value whereas lab diamonds don’t. Second, lab diamonds don’t carry all the potentially shady mining baggage. I mean, lab diamonds are a drain on the environment, but I guess so are mined diamonds as we rip up mother nature to find them.

People either LOVE lab diamonds or refuse them. There is no happy medium. I haven’t had a single customer debate which one they should get! What are your thoughts?