Earrings - Lapus Lazuli

What is Canadian Shield Jewelry – what kind of jewelry can I find here?

• Canadian Shield Jewelry is a one-man jewelry-making enterprise. I fabricate and assemble everything in my basement workshop. It is not a Dropshipping operation.

• I became launched on this enterprise by accident. I was searching for fossils to prepare for my grandchildren, and found that although there are many fossils in the shale in the Ottawa area, most are both too small and fragile for further work. But I did increasingly notice the rocks everywhere I went.

• I educated myself in the basics of rock identification and preparation, purchased a rock tumbler and associated tools, and started off. I also purchased a range of hardware and setting materials from wholesalers like Amazon and Fire Mountain Gems (firemountaingems.com) and am becoming a favoured customer there.

• My jewelry is simple yet elegant, based on Canadian Shield rocks - in other words the rocks that are right here in Canada. I find my rocks all around me in the Ottawa area, and have in fact used some rocks from my house landscaping.

• What I have found truly amazing is that a relatively innocuous rock, once broken up, tumbled, polished and then shined, possesses the most marvellous colours in both bold and subtle accents that were not evident before.

• I also bring in some invited guests from the wholesalers - polished and formed stones and beads and some raw rocks from other places - which are a beautiful complement and offset to my rock jewelry.

• I make all types of jewelry pieces – earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings.

• All rings are adjustable in size. Bracelets are all adjustable being either open-ended bangles, memory wire or with adjustable extender chains. Necklaces are described in their overall length, and hoop necklaces in their circumference.

Who are these products aimed at – who would like to wear this jewelry?

• Hopefully, anybody and everybody. My jewelry will appeal to all ages, genders and fashion goals.

• All my jewelry can be worn as a regular complement to everyday living in work and casual environments.

• Some will be well suited to a night out, adding a different but elegant flair.

• Some pieces may suit a Bohemian look.

• All pieces can of course be worn independently, but there are also sets of similar appearance, in some cases being made from the same rock creating a unique accessory set.

• I get expert opinion and advice from my wife and son, and slowly am acquiring commentary from viewers of my web store.

How is this jewelry different from all the others that I see?

• I take great pride and pleasure at being able to capture in jewelry the wonder of Canada all around us, by finding the innate beauty in our rocky surroundings. My jewelry is unique in a number of respects.

• My jewelry is not mass-produced. Each piece is fabricated and assembled by hand, individually, in my workshop.

• My inventory of pieces is therefore ever-changing with the materials I have on hand, and in most cases cannot be duplicated exactly.

• The store inventory may often show Sold Out for items of which I have so far made only one or two. I will either replace those items if possible, or remove the item from the inventory and add others of similar style.

• I can also offer the option of making a piece on demand, if you have a particular type of rock or stone and treatment in mind. I’m always available through admin@canadianshieldjewelry.ca for your suggestions and requests. However I’m not a silversmith, and cannot do fine working of silver or other materials.

How durable is this jewelry?

• This is jewelry, and not playground or athletic wear. It will not withstand rough handling.

• I certainly don’t recommend using any of the chains for a tug-of-war…

Are there areas I should be aware of?

• There will be slight differences in similar pieces, being assembled by hand and from materials which are not duplicates.

• There may be small flaws in the hardware which I’ve overlooked. If this is identified to me, I will rectify it as soon as possible. Contact me at admin@canadianshieldjewelry.ca

• There are many crystals used in these pieces. Amethyst is the most common and among my favourites are Tiger Eye and Jade. There are other crystals I come across or order from the wholesalers. I have no knowledge of crystals in healing beliefs, so forgive me if I inadvertently transgress some of those practices.