While I am very careful to source my precious metals only from SCS® certified suppliers (SCS® stands for Supply Chain Sustainability; they are the global leader in the field of sustainability standards and third-party certification). Most of my precious metals suppliers are also members of the Responsible Jewellery Council. However, I want to point out that ‘recycling gold' is not what is commonly understood by the term.
True recycling avoids things ending up in landfills. Gold, of course, wouldn’t.
Instead, gold is simply melted, refined and repurposed.
Although SCS® certified refineries must maintain auditable records of their suppliers, there are loopholes globally which make it very easy for gold from unregulated and/or illegal sources to enter their supply chain.
This makes even 'certified recycled' gold untraceable.
My Celebration Series is a collection of genuine gemstone bands for celebrating all occasions: engagement and mother’s rings, birthstone stackers and personal achievement markers.
Depending on the size and quality of the gemstone, these elegant 18k rings might celebrate momentous occasions such as an engagement, anniversary, or other important family milestone. Or they might indicate a personal achievement, or be worn as birthstone or family rings.
If none of the available ones suit, or for custom Celebration rings with one or more genuine gemstone of your choosing, price will vary depending on the type, size, and quality of gem: Inquire about Customized Celebration Ring
In my Dragonfly Series, I use the motif of the dragonfly and create matching bookend copies of each other for earrings and necklaces. In Japan, Dragonflies are symbols of courage, strength, and happiness. Often used in art nouveau, this motif is irresistibly elegant.
My Flow Series is made of 100% Fairmined ECO Gold. Fairmined is an assurance label that certifies gold from small-scale mining organizations embracing responsible practices. The ECO Fairmined certification goes even further in ensuring there is no use of cyanide or mercury used in the extraction of gold. Read more about my Materials and Sustainability.
This Series is created in an ancient Japanese technique called Mitsuro Hikime. Beeswax and Pine Resin are melted together to form a wax which creates particular striations when pulled gently – like taffy in a kitchen. The smell in the studio is incredible when I work in these waxes.
Each lost-wax cast piece is unique, and only exists once.
I have attended workshops in the US and Portugal to learn this ancient art. Polishing only the high points of this incredibly tactile texture creates the character you see in each piece. You could say it mimicks waves, driftwood, or the hairs of a calligraphy brush.
The Knot Series was inspired by a photo I took of bare vines against a winter sky. I played with wire for a long time before I found a way to translate what I felt into a piece of jewellery. The square wire juxtaposes the round shapes of the knots, and the piece’s extravagant length conveys an elegant feeling of abundance.
Each piece is individually hand-fabricated, randomly bending the wire in its knot shapes by hand or with simple tools. Thus, every one of these earrings or necklaces is completely unique.
Inspired by my natural surroundings, and in celebration of the pending acquisition of Canadian citizenship, I have developed the MapleLeaf Series taken from real maple leaves. The imprint of fresh leaves is made in wax, then rolled up to build individually unique rings. The texture of the leaves in silver, placed on the finger, is reminiscent of the texture of skin, and thus nature seems to form a cycle, as she does so well.
For the MoonPearl Series, I took the idea of the ‘hand of the maker’, and combined it with the notion of a pearl’s home – the shell. On first glance, the individual sterling elements seem to be shells. The close observer will discover, however, that these individually hand-fabricated elements are in fact each molded with my own hands, which is evident in them carrying fingerprints: proof of the hand of the maker. Read the Moonpearl Origin Story
“Good morning Dorothee, just a quick note to let you know I received my pearl necklace yesterday. Unbelievably exquisite! Thank you so much.” -Sharon
The OneFooter Series started twenty years ago, when I was still inuniversity studying jewellery design and metalsmithing. It has long since become my very recognizable signature Series. There is a funny story about a flight attendant who recognized my TwoFooter on a plane.
Even after all these years, I still enjoy the creation of each and every one of the rings in this Series. Each one is a conversation between the metal and the maker. Each one is a discovery.
For this series, a specific length of 18k or sterling silver wire first hand-forged, then wound repeatedly into a continuous loop, wrapping around the finger many times without beginning or end. They come in a variety of styles, and in 18k yellow or palladium white gold, or sterling silver, with or without gems. Each can be customized with precious stones such as diamonds, sapphires and rubies, or become a ReBirth ring for gems from your own heirloom pieces. Read more about my inspiration for the OneFooter series.
Each handcrafted ring is unique and different; no two are the same.
I make One-of-a-Kind rings based on my OneFooter, Script, Flow, Celebration, Wedding Band, and Knot Series. I love adding diamonds or coloured gemstones to the pieces I make. I can also customize one of these pieces with your favourite gemstone in your ring size. Contact me for custom work.
The Precious Series expresses my love for the materials of the trade. The beautiful buttery 22k gold finds its own way around the rough diamond. Although this is a very contemporary combination of diamonds and gold, this subtle design draws on the tradition of rosettes in Art Nouveau.
The Script Series was originally by inspired by my pilgrimage through India. As one travels South, the writings of this colourful country become more and more fluid.
From these calligraphic lines arose a visual language which was more recently furthered by the ocean which surrounds me here at home in Atlantic Canada.
The Transmit Series are a collection of five necklaces made of genuine freshwater pearls, strung with coral and genuine rice-shaped fresh water pearls to spell various hidden words in morse-code: “Connection,” “Lonely,” “Love Me,” “Me Me Me,” and “Please.”
As part of the exhibition AUTOMATON20.21, the necklaces in this Series, with their depth of investigation, are more of an “art piece” than some of Dorothée’s other work.
In 2020, Dorothée was invited to participate in a Spanish-Canadian co-exhibition entitled Automaton. Initially planned for a glamorous Opening at the prestigious Joya tradeshow in Madrid, Spain, the event fell victim to pandemic restrictions and was held virtually, instead.
The show features 10 artists – 5 Canadian and 5 Spanish. Each artist created a piece that represents the effects of new technologies on human behaviour, and its influences on fashion, the arts, the economy, consumption, and everyday life over the last 100 years. Automaton showcased these artist’s individual interpretations.
Dorothée’s interpretation relates to the plethora of data which surrounds us daily, the constant flow of communication. There is information overload, expressed by pearl overload – 5 strands of 2.5m strands of freshwater pearls for a total length of 12.5 metres.
These wedding bands are well-crafted by hand from high-quality materials, and will bring joy for years. These unisex bands can be customized in their gold, width, thickness. Inquire about custom wedding bands. I am always honoured to be a part of this signifier of love.