Emerge 2010 - A Group Show

Despite how busy we have been this year, July marks the first exhibition we will be hosting at 18Karat - the first of many to follow, (check out our upcoming events).

Beginning July 5th, 18Karat will host Emerge 2010 - a group show featuring recent graduates of George Brown's Jewellery Arts program. We are excited to be the first studio to host their work post-graduation and we are excited to watch them maneuver the world of professional jewellery design.




Last year marked the first time graduates from George Brown took centerstage at 18Karat. We continue to be impressed by their technical abilities as well as their innovative design.

Exhibition runs from July 5 - 31, with a reception to be June 5th from 5 - 7pm. Please join us in supporting these young designers.

spring shades.

New buds. Flowers being born everyday. Spring is full of vivid colours and a sense of the earth being re-born. That is why no spring collection would be complete without some delightful shocks of colour.
An unusual-cut peridot surrounded by a rim of brilliant cut diamonds make this ring the ultimate in a spring-time statement. This ring was designed and created by Dino in our downtown studio. It is also up on our website, check it out.

While agate, a form of quartz, is one of the most abundant minerals on the planet - agate this vivid is certainly not common place. This turquoise agate ring recalls Caribbean beaches or endless summer skies - either way it makes for a truly wonderful ring. Set in 18k white gold, this ring as designed and created in our studio as well.

What's up buttercup?

As is always the case, the more interesting events you are participating in and the more intriguing people you meet, the less time you have to blog about it; and April has certainly not been an exception to that rule.

We have launched a new website! Months and months in the making I am so happy to see it up, with the majority of our inventory available for viewing in a much more cohesive format. I hope you will all check it out, www.18karat.ca.

Envy - Call for Entry announced. This is the first time we have ever done anything quite like this before, but we have recently announced our call for entry for our first juried show and I have been really impressed by the response. I can now breath easier knowing we have received our first batch of entries. Although we are still accepting entries until the end of May, I know too well how artists are and I expect a flurry towards the end – don't forget to get them in artists!

Our first graduate award. This was the first year for the new 18Karat award for graduates of the Jewellery Arts Program at George Brown, handed out to the student who demonstrated both design and technical excellence, as well as someone who stood out with both their drive and determination. This years winner was Mariangela Aguirre, who has a lovely site already, www.malala.ca. We are all excited to work with her more this year.

(Dino and Mariangela at the Graduate Award Ceremony)

And of course, this is only the beginning of the year - we have plenty of exciting things coming through the pipe line. Be sure to check out the new site, we have some utterly gorgeous new pieces (my favorite being the turquoise agate ring) for your viewing pleasure.

call for submission - ENVY - TO COVET AND DESIRE

18Karat announces an open call for artists to submit entries for – Envy: To covet and desire. A juried exhibition that seeks to use what is coveted to explore the complex and vast means in which we express our insatiable desires.

Combining themes of luxury, desire, love, and jealousy to comment on this primal and often dark human emotion.

Prizes:
- best in show
- best young artist (under 30)
- best technical achievement
- best in design

About the Jurors:
- Massimo and Dino Giannetti, owners of 18Karat, one of Toronto's oldest custom goldsmiths.
- Martha Glenny, Professor of Jewellery Studies at George Brown College.
- Jacquie De Almeida, Managing Editor of Jewellery Business Magazine.

For more information, visit www.18karat.ca

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)