| About - Bijoux Pierrette d'Entremont Jewellery Designs
~ Fine Gemstone Keepsakes
 Pierrette d'Entremont lives amidst the beautiful seascapes of the south shore of Nova Scotia, Canada. Having begun her jewellery making journey as a hobby in 1996, she quickly developped a love and appreciation for the art.
While studying Biomechanics and Excersise Physiology in university she started as an apprentice in a small boutique and sold her original pieces in summer markets. So taken with the art, Pierrette continued in its' stream after her undergrad work. Taking metalsmithing, beading and business workshops, her business took shape as did her vision of offering fine handcrafted jewelry that is crafted with material knowledge and ethically conscious suppliers. She continues to study through individual reasearch, professional guidance and studies with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). She holds a Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP) diploma, her Pearls Certificate and is currently working on her Gemology Degree.
Designer Pierrette d'Entremont in her studio!!
* PEARLS: All pearls in my designs are real pearls. I have a great interest in cultured pearls and I adore working with them and their many shapes, colours and types. All my cultured freshwater pearls come from China, Japan or America, with the majority coming from China. I import my own pearls from the SuZhou region of China. These are grown and harvested by a co-op of pearl farmers from that region and sent to a center in Hong Kong. I buy from them about twice a year.
I adore natural colours and try to work with them as much as possible. Most dark coloured pearls that I use are irradiated to create a permanent hue. These have great iridescence! I also request custom colors for dyes if i really can't find the right colour (see * "Creme caramel's square coin pearl" we called this custom dye Blomidon Memories!). Unless noted, pearls are freshwater cultured (FWP) Pearl Grading. I also occasionally use saltwater cultured pearls. These will be noted and will be Akoya pearls (China and Japan), South Seas (Australia or Indonesia) and Tahitian (French Polynesia) cultured pearls.
* GEMSTONES: All of the gemstones I use in my designs are real. I research and choose my gemstones very carefully. Requesting well faceted stones that are of good quality, fine colour and that match my design ideas. I buy my gemstone beads and cut stones from various places but try to always buy from respected manufacturers. Moreover, for the past 2 years I have requested a company enquiry from the Canadian Consulates in various areas before placing an order. I feel that there are too many gemstone manufacturing companies with poor working conditions. If a company has a poor reputation, I will not purchase from them. I will also pass over many North American Importers because I am unsure of the origin of the beads. Having nearly 10 years of experience and my A.J.P. (Accredited Jewelry Professional) from GIA I know the values, characteristics and approximate grades of gemstones. I do not use synthetic glass quartz "cherry/strawberry/lemon.. quartz", I also don't use "candy jade". I will also use accurate terms. I try to use untreated stones as often as possible, though accepted heat treaments and dyeing occur frequently and are to be expected.
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 * PRECIOUS METALS: I use sterling silver or 14K gold unless otherwise noted. My bails, handforged earrings wires and handmade chains are always handcrafted in my own studio with sterling silver wire (and/or Argentium wire) that is manufactured in North America. I import sterling silver components such as toggle clasps and 'bali' beads directly from an artisan and his family in Bali, Indonesia. These are authentic Bali beads. Bali-style beads are usually bulk produced in India by workers that may not receive fair trade terms. Most other components are manufactured in North America.
< Yanto and his young family. Yanto is our artisan from Bali who, along with members of his family, makes such beautiful sterling silver beads and clasps!
Yanto is very skilled and has learned his trade from his own grandparents. He can make beautiful clasps from our simple, drawn, designs. He also has a great many traditional Bali sterling designs to offer us! |
NOTES:
Online shopping for original handcrafted jewelry is easy and convenient with our secure payment server and our versatile order and payment choices. You may fill out and submit our online order form or you may use the Paypal shopping cart by clicking on "add to cart".
Freshwater pearls are available in an array of colors and styles. shades include black, peacock, pink, lavender, white, peach, bronze, and champagne. Pearl shapes available are coin, round, nugget, oval, keishi, and stick biwa. Bridal fashion accessories are also popular, especially for summer and fall weddings. Tiaras, custom (pearl, gemstone,
All pieces are original designs. Stones often used are amethyst, pink and green tourmaline, citrine, aquamarine, peridot, topaz, chalcedony, amazonite, fluorite, cherry and blue quartz. Stone shapes include faceted rondel, briolettes, teardrop and fancy.
Pierrette's draws her inspirations from many places. To a great extent, her interest in gemstones and precious metals coupled with her unceasing need to know... make her designs ever evolving. Memories of her college years in Ottawa's bustling Byward Market and her strong roots in a small fishing village on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean play a part too. Furthermore, her interest in the colors and hues of nature is a strong influence in her art and designs.
The website pages are a compilation of many of my available creations. I try to update each season. If anything interest you, but you would like to change something. Do not hesitate to contact me. We may be able to custom make the piece for you :) ~Pierrette
send e-mail to: pierrette@pierrettedentremont.com
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