Before a necklace reaches you, it has already passed through many hands—but never an assembly line.
Every Designs by Nature Gems piece begins with a genuine natural gemstone and is carefully handcrafted in our Toronto studio by skilled artisan makers. No molds. No mass production. Just experienced hands shaping every setting around the unique character of the stone.
That distinction matters more than it might seem.
Today, "handmade" appears on everything from factory-produced décor to jewelry assembled overseas. We believe it's worth showing what handcrafted actually looks like—not just saying the word.
Every piece is handcrafted in our Toronto studio before finding its new home.
It Starts With the Stone, Not the Design
Many jewelry collections begin with a sketch. Ours begin with a stone.
Before a single wire is bent, each gemstone is examined individually. Our team studies its natural colour, inclusions, shape, balance, and the way it reflects light. No two stones tell exactly the same story, so no two pieces begin in exactly the same way.
Working with genuine gemstones means embracing nature rather than trying to standardize it. Instead of forcing every stone into an identical design, we allow each one to influence the finished piece.
It's a slower process and less predictable..And that's exactly why we love it.
Every gemstone is individually selected before becoming part of a finished design.
The Art of Wire Wrapping
Wire wrapping is one of jewelry's oldest techniques.
Rather than casting metal around a stone or relying on adhesives, a handcrafted wire wrap is built one bend at a time. Every curve, twist, and connection is created by hand until the stone is held securely in place.
A typical Designs by Nature Gems piece moves through several stages:
Selecting the Foundation
Choosing the appropriate wire gauge and metal—sterling silver, gold filled, or bronze—to complement the stone's size, weight, and personality.
Building the Frame
Creating the structural wire framework that supports the gemstone securely.
Wrapping the Stone
Each wire is carefully tensioned, shaped, and tucked into place by hand. Many pieces require dozens of individual bends before the design is complete.
Finishing
The completed piece is inspected, refined, polished, and checked to ensure it meets our studio's quality standards before packaging.
Every decision is made by eye and by feel, because every stone is different, every finished wrap is, too.
Every bend is shaped by hand to fit the individual gemstone.
Why Handcrafting Matters
Mass-produced jewelry is designed for consistency.
Handcrafted jewelry is designed for the individual stone sitting in front of the maker.
Instead of forcing every gemstone into a standardized setting, wire wrapping allows the design to respond naturally to each stone's unique shape and character. The result is a setting that feels intentional because it was created specifically for that gemstone.
It's one of the reasons handcrafted jewelry has a character that's difficult to reproduce through automation.
No two genuine gemstones—or the pieces built around them—are exactly alike.
The People Behind the Pieces
Craftsmanship isn't just about technique.
It's about people.
Our Toronto studio is home to a small team of artisan makers who genuinely care about the work they create. Every person brings their own strengths to the bench. Some naturally notice perfect symmetry. Others have an eye for gemstones with exceptional character.
Even when following the same design, every maker develops their own rhythm over time.
If you look closely at handcrafted jewelry, you'll often notice small differences that remind you a real person created it. Those aren't imperfections—they're signatures of craftsmanship.
Every piece that leaves our studio has been handled by someone who wants it to be something they'd be proud to wear themselves.
Behind every finished piece is a team of makers who care deeply about their craft.
What This Means for You
When you choose a Designs by Nature Gems piece, you're choosing more than a gemstone.
You're choosing:
- Genuine natural gemstones selected one by one
- Jewelry handcrafted in our Toronto studio
- A wire-wrapped setting built specifically for that individual stone
- Skilled artisan craftsmanship rather than mass production
- A piece designed to be worn, treasured, and enjoyed for years to come
Those choices aren't always the fastest or easiest.
But they're the reason every piece has its own story before it becomes part of yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every Designs by Nature Gems piece handmade?
Yes. Every necklace, pendant, bracelet, and pair of earrings is handcrafted in our Toronto studio by artisan makers using genuine natural gemstones. From selecting the stone to shaping the wire and performing the final inspection, every piece passes through skilled hands before it reaches yours.
Why do your gemstones all look different?
Because we use genuine natural gemstones, no two pieces begin with identical materials. Colour, inclusions, texture, and shape vary naturally, making every finished piece one of a kind.
What is wire wrapping?
Wire wrapping is a traditional jewelry-making technique that secures a gemstone using carefully shaped metal wire rather than glue or cast settings. Each wire is bent, tensioned, and formed by hand to fit the individual contours of the stone.
Why don't your pendants all look identical?
Because no two gemstones are exactly alike. Instead of forcing every stone into a standard setting, we adjust each wire wrap to complement the unique shape and character of that specific gemstone. Those subtle differences are part of what makes handcrafted jewelry so special.
Can I choose the exact gemstone I'll receive?
For many of our collections, yes. Rather than photographing a single sample piece, we individually photograph natural gemstones so you can select the exact one that speaks to you. It's one of the ways we celebrate the individuality of genuine gemstones and help ensure the piece you receive is the one you fell in love with.
From our workbench to your jewelry box—every piece carries the story of how it was made.
Every Piece Has a Beginning
Every necklace, pendant, bracelet, and pair of earrings begins the same way—with a genuine natural gemstone and a maker willing to take the slower path.
From selecting the stone to shaping every wire by hand, each step is an intentional choice to celebrate the individuality of nature rather than hide it. That's why no two Designs by Nature Gems pieces are ever exactly alike.
When you wear handcrafted jewelry, you're wearing more than a beautiful gemstone. You're wearing hours of careful work, thoughtful decisions, and the quiet confidence that comes from something made by real people instead of machines.
We believe that's worth preserving.
Explore by Gemstone
Every natural gemstone has its own story, colour, and character. Whether you're drawn to the calming glow of moonstone, the rich greens of emerald, or the deep reds of garnet, you'll find handcrafted pieces that celebrate the individuality of each stone.
Explore some of our most-loved gemstone collections:
- Emerald Jewelry
- Moonstone Jewelry
- Ruby Jewelry
- Garnet Jewelry
- Aquamarine Jewelry
- Sapphire Jewelry
- Amethyst Jewelry
- Peridot Jewelry
- Opal Jewelry
