Is Recycled Gold Ethical?

It’s the same quality as any other gold but beware of greenwashing We all try to do our part in working towards a healthier planet, and recycling is certainly part of that journey. When it comes to gold, however, that…
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds more Ethical?

Update Jan 2025: Aether Diamonds has been bought out by an international diamond company and as their process may have changed, I no longer trust their traceability and therefore sadly am not carrying their diamonds. For laboratory-grown diamonds, I only…
Custom vs Bespoke

About once a week, I send a client away. “What business owner in their right mind would do this??” you might ask. “One that has very thoroughly thought about what they enjoy doing,” I would reply. And because the difference…
Amethyst

February is Amethyst month. One of the world’s most popular coloured gemstones, this purple favourite has been used in jewellery for thousands of years. Geological origins As a type of quartz (technically silicon dioxide), amethyst gets its purple to violet-purple…
How a Stone is Set

Today I promised to give you a behind-the-scenes look of the creation of a piece I posted yesterday on Instagram: an engagement ring which happens to involve the September birthstone: sapphire! This one is Australian, and – like many Australian…
Above and Beyond ‘Recycled’ Silver and Gold

Recycling was cool. Remember when recycling was the coolest thing? We were feeling ok about using plastic copiously, because we could recycle it. Remember when buying something made from ‘recycled plastics’ made you feel kinda good? And then we found…
The Diamond Truth: Misinformation in the Diamond Industry

Recently, I came across a CBC Marketplace special investigation on diamond claims. As an independent goldsmith, I was curious to see what they had uncovered, hoping to learn something new. However, what they ‘revealed’ are all facts I have been…
Coal and Gold Mines

The first real snow fell here in Halifax this weekend, which was kind of fun, I won’t lie. On Friday, schools were closed. While I definitely worry about people who have to show up for work regardless, and may be…
Peru Protests

Oh there is just so much violence right now. What is happening in Iran is awful. The suffering continues in Ukraine. Haiti, Yemen, Ethiopia, Myanmar. And in Peru the death toll of protesters being killed by police is rising. President…
Relax and Open

This morning is such an interesting one. So varied for so many people. Some will be exhausted from preparations late into the night, from creating magic in their children’s lives, who will wake excitedly and too early. Others will feel…
My Creative Journey aka Retired Pieces

Over the years there have been many pieces that have come into fruition from my imagination into metal, and then at some point my inspiration shifted and other Series evolved. Here is an archive of some of my retired collections. …
Gold with a Conscience: Why I’m using ethical Fairmined ECO Gold

Why Fairmined Gold? For months now, I have been experimenting with a new technique, making sample after sample, fiddling with results, and continuously improving the design and new technique. And I have been doing a lot of thinking, because ……
Sterling Silver Rings with Gems – Limited Time Left!

– June 17th, 2021 – Are you sitting down? I will not create any more OneFooter rings with gems in sterling silver. Going forward I will only put gems on top of 18k gold or palladium white gold rings. For one thing: if ever…