Despite busy days spent working for one of Vancouver’s most popular radio stations, jewelry designer Keltie Maguire still finds time to handcraft her dreams at night. And just last week she launched Spring 2014, her fifth Keltie Leanne collection, loaded with geometric and eye-catching designs.
New gemstones such as bold green onyx and accents of iridescent moonstone vie for your eye alongside classics like lapis lazuli and turquoise, green amethyst and labradorite.
As with all Keltie Leanne jewelry, the designs are manufactured in her Vancouver studio using 14-karat gold fill and sterling silver, in her signature feminine and modern style.
What makes this self-taught designer (who has a background in jewelry sales) sparkle like gold in a sea of pyrite is her passion.
“I get so excited when a new shipment of gemstones comes, or when I’m looking at gems locally. The colours are so beautiful. I’m like, ‘This stone is so juicy, I just want to eat it!” she laughs. “They’re beautiful in their natural state, but once they’ve been professionally faceted it really brings out their qualities.”
And hearing her describe each gemstone in her collection is like listening to Jean-Luc Martinez explain why a painting is hanging in the Louvre.
“As much as I’d love to say, ‘I saw this really amazing building while I was traveling Europe,’ most of my inspiration comes from the gemstones,” Maguire explains.
In addition to new takes on popular favourites such as the Arc Necklace and Faceted Gemstone Bracelets, we’re springing for the Catching Fire Earrings in Lapis ($80), with vibrant lapis lazuli gemstone, suspended by gold-filled chain inside a hammered gold-filled hoop, or the strikingly simple Chrysalid Necklace ($78), featuring a green onyx pentagon-shaped gemstone on a gorgeous gold-filled chain.
The new collection ranges from $45-$110 and is available at Fine Finds Boutique in Yaletown, and online at KeltieLeanneDesigns.com. As an extra bonus, when you purchase one of the new pieces at KeltieLeanneDesigns.com between now and April 15, you will be entered to win a $100 gift card for the online store.
