drum roll please..... .. . . .

And now for the moment you have all been waiting for, 18Karat is pleased to announce the official winner of our 'Who Deserves a Diamond' contest, Christine M. on behalf of her mother Barbara. Christine's entry was so lovely - mum's after all deserves millions of diamonds.




We met this morning when Christine, her mother, and mother-in-law came in to pick up this lovely stone and have even decided to have it set in a pendant.

What a lovely way to start the day!

Uniti Reception

Last Sunday we hosted a reception in honour of the many contributors who helped to make last November's Uniti Collection a success. We are so grateful for all the people who donated their time and art to benefit the Red Door Family Shelter.



(to the left - the lovely and very talented designer Shelly Purdy with the equally lovely managing editor of Jewellery Business Magazine, Jacquie de Almeida.)


















(to the right - I was super excited to finally meet Danielle Meder, the creative genius behind www.finalfashion.ca. I had been following her blog for a while now, and was glad to have her attend the reception. Be sure to check out her site!)

3 days till V-Day!

Few of us give in to the mush and gush of Valentine's Day, but no matter how much we resist, there is still a part in all of us that feels a little tug.

As our 'Who Deserves a Diamond' contest carries on, we thought we would give you a sample of some of the entries we have received - a few that will surely tenderize your heart muscle -

J.C writes of his wife, "She is a shinning star, an eternal optimist and the love of my life, for this I feel she deserves a Canadian Diamond."

C.M writes of her mother, "She has sacrificed many things over the last 30 years for her children and I think she deserves a diamond".

With only 3 days left, please send in your answers to this question - Why does your loved one deserve a diamond - to service@18karat.ca.

No matter how short and sweet or epic and poetic, you could win a Canadian Diamond.

We couldn't end this post without showing some of the wonderful new pieces to arrive at the shop, and just in the nick of time for the day of love. What says 'babe your the best' better then a piece of handmade and locally produced designer jewellery?

(Pictured above : Be Mine by Bijouxbead - Featuring Handmade Lampwork)


(Pictured above: Dear Heart by Bijouxbead - Featuring Handmade Lampwork)

(Pictured above : Sparkling Rays from Bazant Unique Adornment's Aurora Borealis Collection
- Featuring recycled hammered silver)

Who Deserves a Diamond - 18Karat Diamond Giveaway

To celebrate Valentine's Day, 18Karat will be giving away one loose Canadian Diamond to the person who best answers this question, 'Why Does Your Loved One Deserve a Diamond?'

Create a video response, or email service@18karat.ca with your answer.

Contest closes February 13th at 11.59pm.



Contest only open to residents of Ontario, 18 years and older. Yay diamonds!

How cute are we, posting our first Youtube video?

So Soon?

Time flies when you are having fun, right?
The Uniti auction closed last week, and with the anticipation and adrenaline constantly building, it was starting to feel like the end would never come.

We are so grateful to all of the artists who donated their time and materials to create a piece - be sure to check out these talented individuals here.

But - and there is always a but - not all of the pieces sold. With Christmas upon us, we have decided to put these pieces up for sale, with 100% of the sales going to the Red Door Family Shelter.

Therese Cruz created one of the most striking pieces to be included in this auction, both in shape and texture.

Embrace Cuff was inspired by the multicultural fabric Therese and her celebrity collaborator Paula Brancati believed existed at the core of the Toronto community.

Hand constructed from silver, copper, and 14k yellow gold. This piece is available for purchase at 18Karat for $950.

And remember 100% of the sales go directly to the Red Door Family Shelter.

Uniti Collection Enters the Home Stretch....

Who would have thought we would be at this point.. already.. so soon?
After months of hard work and determination and surprises and wonderful opportunities, the Uniti Collection comes to an end tomorrow at 2pm.

We are anxiously waiting, squinting our eyes and pretending not to look, as the online auction enters the last 24 hours. Remember, all of these pieces have been donated by the artists who created them and every sale goes directly to the Red Door Family Shelter - helping the families who need it most this holiday season.

A beauty for you jewellery box or a spectacularly unique present, don't forget to check out these pieces.
Go directly to the auction by clicking here.

Designer Samantha Hawkes in collaboration with Raymond Ablack (Degrassi: Next Generation)Designer Dino Giannetti in collaboration with Dina Pugliese (Breakfast Television)

Designer Suzanne Crudden in collaboration with Jonas Chernick (The Border)Designer Meghan Schnarr in collaboration with Lead and Gordon Pinsent (Canadian Acting Dynasty)
Designer Kim Drosdick in collaboration with Aaron Pritchett (Country Music Star)

Don't forget... Time's a tickin'!

Presenting new designer Carmen Tam.

With the Uniti Collection counting down its last few days, I thought it would be a good idea to take a break from the bids and the paddle numbers to present you the latest addition to the 18Karat list of local designers.

Carmen Tam is a recent graduate from George Brown's Jewellery Arts program, and has been working at the Organic Metal Gallery on College Street.

Carmen has a graphic style and geometric sensibility that inhibits each piece. Currently we have a matching set of silver and garnet, necklace and earrings (pictured to the right and bellow).



(Hand made Sterling Silver and Garnet Earrings, $268)

(Handmade Sterling and Garnet Necklace, $165)

Perhaps my favorite piece in her collection, are the pair of earrings to the right. The interesting thing about these sterling silver beauties, it that they are adjustable. Each circular disk is attached to the next via a double-ended screw top attachment, meaning you can remove links or re-arrange their order however you see fit. Despite their size, they are remarkably light-weight.

(Sterling Silver adjustable disk earrings
$280)

Just a reminder, the Uniti Collection jewellery auction ends at 2pm on November 26th. Remember, all funds raised go directly to the Red Door Family Shelter