Readers, May I Present...

All five of our young designers have dropped off their jewellery at 18Karat and we are busy constructing new displays to accomodate all of their - sometimes uniquely formed - pieces.

Today, I would like to introduce you to.... Therese Cruz

For Therese Cruz, pursuing a career in jewellery started as a childhood hobby in the Philippines collecting 'fancy' costume jewellery given to her by her father.

When she moved to Canada, it gradually developed into a liking for art and design as a whole, and the technical aspects related to it.

It pushed her to get into George Brown College's Jewellery Arts program after highschool.
She currently resides in Toronto.

Furturist Manifesto Ring
18karat white and yellow gold

Firecrackers Pop Brooch
Sterling silver

"I explore the different dimensions and expressions created by lines. The pieces I create are a multitude of rather geometric forms, with a contrast of matte and high polished finishes. I consider my jewellery miniature sculptures displayed on the body"


These pieces only represent a fraction of the work Therese will be showing during Emerge, and isn't it tantalizing?

Emerge begins August 1st and continues until the end of September. A reception will be hosted at 18Karat on August 13th, at 5pm. Stay tuned for more!

Let Me Introduce...

With only a few weeks to go before August, we can barely contain our excitement.

Is it because of the warm reds and oranges of a late summer?
Hot muggy breezes mixing with brisk ones...?

Maybe.
Or, is it because August marks the beginning of Emerge a group show featuring the work of 5 very talented recent graduates from George Brown's jewellery design program. Every week leading up to the reception (August 13th), I will be introducing you to one of these artists.

So get ready.
Today, let me introduce you to..... Shannon Clay.

Growing up in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Shannon was always surrounded by artists - print makers, traditional sewers, carvers, and jewellers. It was the sense of creating – the tactility of construction with bare hands – that drew Shannon towards the arts.

Croissant Earrings -

Fine Silver, 14k Yellow Gold

Wash Behind Your Ears -

Sterling Silver, Soapstone, Serpentine

"Taking for granted the opportunity to express myself boundlessly, I have created pieces which show my unrestrained imagination and creativity.
I have taken inspiration from the Viking tradition, Inuit carving traditions, modern techniques in jewellery production, metal forging techniques as well as my own mortality."

These pieces only represent a fraction of the work Shannon will be showing during Emerge, and isn't it tantalizing?

Emerge begins August 1st and continues until the end of September. A reception will be hosted at 18Karat on August 13th, at 5pm. Stay tuned for more!

Where DOES the time go?

My oh my, the summer is at its peak already and it has been a month since my last post.
I think some of our readers were thinking we had given up this ol' internet game.
Not true.

We have just been super duper, extra-ordinarily crazy, busy. Conjuring up another 6months of exciting events - trying to do our part to put Toronto on the world's jewellery map.
Not an easy feat, but an exciting one.

We have entered our second and final month of the Mosaics exhibit, featuring Turkish designer Murat Tunc. On June 25th, we even hosted a reception that allowed us the oppurtunity to meet some interesting people and to learn a little bit more about Turkey, (especially what's good to eat and drink.. mostly drink).

My favorite pieces, have always been the rings. They are chalk full of detail and intricacy, and they are unlike anything I have ever seen. So bear with me, as I take this time to do a little ode, to the ring...





24ct. gold plated-silver rings, featuring remarkable and intricate hand-painted porcelain squares. This reminds me of the intricate needlepoint that your grandmother, or great-grandmother used to do. Murat is all about the details.

What I have enjoyed most about this exhibit, is getting a better insight into Turkish art and design. I never realized how little I knew about this country. Istanbul is really a cultural crossroads, combining Persian, Greek, Roman, and Asian influences that create a beautiful aesthetic.
This ring is certainly one of my favorites, with a floral pattern that seems entrenched in Persia.

Not only does Murat design and manufacture each of these pieces, but he also carves each cameo he uses.

While Murat's work is inspired by many different cultural and historical aspects, his cameos are all inspired by famous Greek and Roman forms. Focusing mainly on the Gods and Goddesses.

It has been great having Murat's work at 18Karat. His unique aesthetic has really taken off, and we are excited to see where this artists goes from here.
Mosaics runs until the end of July, and we will be keeping a select line at our store into the future.

tradition + culture + history = Mosaics Exhibit

We are busy little bees over here at the shop, and isn't it exciting to have so much good stuff in the works. So forgive us if we took a little longer to announce our new designer showcase...



For the next two months we will be featuring Murat Tunc, a recently arrived Turkish sculpture/artist/jeweller/designer who creates some truly captivating pieces.

Murat's work is characterized by a meticulous attention to detail, the under-side of each ring, bracelet, and pendant is as beautiful as the top.

His work features porcelain disk which are painstakingly (to say the least) created.. dot by dot by dot. They are then fired at over 3000 degrees to ensure a long life.




But the show stoppers are really the rings - faceted quartz, from lemon to smoky to clear, with rubies or emeralds underneath that create excellent light play. It's really one of those.. seeing is believing.. sort of things.

Mosaics explores how tradition, culture, and history combine to shape our future and the way we express ourselves. Murat's work is the amalgamation of this idea, swirls of Greek, Persian, and Byzantine aesthetics blend and collide in each piece he creates.

For more information visit our website, www.18karat.ca
We will be hosting a reception for Murat on Wedneday June 25th from 5pm - 8pm at our shop on Dundas Street West, Toronto.

Let us know what you think and post a comment!

Remember that gem?

Mother's Day brought with it a super 18Karat-meets-Bijouxbead promotion.. remember that stellar necklace by Darlene Martin...
If not, here it is gracing the very lovely neck of Whitney, our winner, who just received it via snail-mail.
Congratulations again to Whitney. Couldn't imagine that gem finding a better home.

So Pretty!

Don't forget.... Metamorphosis Exhibit is two days away!

Just a reminder to everyone who loves the hand-crafted -
Lara Bazant will be in our shop Wednesday May 27th from 5pm to 8pm to meet and discuss her work.
You may remember a previous entry we did on Lara, but if you don't - here's a little recap.

Using reclaimed, natural, and fair trade materials sourced from all over the world, Lara Bazant aims to fuse global sustainability with a unique and individual sense of style.
We hope to see you Wednesday to help support this local and ethically minded artist.

We appreciate everyone who stops by and encourages local art to grow!

Meet Alex..

You may have never met, but let me introduce you to one of the most expensive gemstones commercially available – Alexandrite. Not only can top quality alexandrite sell for over $100,000 a carat.

This beauty is remarkable for its seemingly magical colour changing capabilities - especially higher end stones - from an emerald green to a plum red.

A variety of chrysoberyl, (derived the Greek chrysos and beryllos meaning 'a gold-white spar' and not to be confused with beryl - those are emeralds and aquamarines to name a few) alexandrite is the result of a small scale replacement of aluminum by chromium oxide, a process which results in its stunning colour change. Green by daylight and red by incandescent - it's like having two stones in one.

This stone apparently acquired its name when Finnish mineralogist Nils Gustaf Nordenskiol discovered the gem upon the sixteenth birthday of the future Tsar, Alexander II of Russia.

The most stunning examples still come from Russia, specifically the Ural Mountains... but don't be fooled the fakers still run rife. Some lab-grown (synthetic) stones are actually corundum lanced with various chemicals such as vanadium or colour-changing spinel. Like always folks, if one of the most expensive stones is selling for a super deal..... too good to be true.

Recently we had a beautiful 1.05ct. alexandrite come through the shop, and honestly... what photos can't capture. As the stone dazzles, flecks of red, green, and plum compete for your attention in the most breath-taking way.

Between you and me... diamonds are soooo boring in comparison!