It’s no surprise that Anne continued to grow her craft and reputation, becoming one of the most accomplished jewellers in the country. Her business and loyal fan base have flourished over the past 35  years. Today, her flagship location sits in the Trinity Bellwoods neighbourhood on Queen Street West.

Now a Mother Daughter Business

Anne’s daughter, Haley Woodbury, who grew up admiring her mother’s work, is now deeply involved in the business. She works closely with clients on bespoke requests, keeps an eye on the evolving jewellery landscape, and helps manage the business side so Anne can focus her energy on design and creativity.

And it’s not just about engagement rings or special-occasion pieces. Think right-hand rings, everyday fine jewellery, all inspired by organic shapes that women also would invest in for themselves. In fact, Anne recognized this consumer confidence shift long before it was considered a trend.

Anne is perhaps most known for her stunning Stardust Collection, inspired by the night sky and constellations. Haley explains that what makes it so distinctive is the beaded texturing. “Each one is hand-pressed under a microscope. It’s very labour intensive. We still offer this collection, and every piece remains slightly different and hand-done.”

Anne has always been particular about using high-grade gold and diamonds—even the smallest stones. To help clients understand the difference, they show a colour scale during diamond consultations. “We like brighter, cleaner, sparklier diamonds, even in small stones,” Haley shared. “It was a very intentional choice for my mom to work only with finer materials like 18-karat gold. Quality is really important to her. We think of our pieces as heirlooms—something you can pass on to future generations but also wear every day.”

I remember Anne saying years ago that jewellery is meant to be worn. Their tagline, “Precious Everyday,” couldn’t ring more true. It’s fine jewellery, but wearable fine jewellery—not something meant to sit in a safe. “My mom always says you should just want to wear it. And for our customers, we really encourage that,” said Haley. “Pick a piece you see yourself living in.”

Trends in Jewellery

While I’ve always gravitated toward Anne Sportun’s daintier pieces, Haley mentioned a growing interest in chunkier, heavier designs. The Atelier has introduced new beaded pieces with more weight and presence. Gold continues to enjoy a strong comeback, alongside a welcomed splash of colour.

The Right Hand Ring Collection is something Anne has explored for years. “Many of our engagement-style rings are unique enough to be right-hand rings—anniversary pieces or special-occasion pieces,” Haley explained. “We love rings because it’s the piece we see most on ourselves.”

Initial jewellery is also perennially popular, and Anne has recently introduced a collection featuring letters in her own handwriting. Add a birthstone, and it becomes a truly meaningful keepsake—perfect for moms, sisters, or anyone you love.

Couples Shopping for Engagement Rings

Anne Sportun wants choosing an engagement ring to feel like a beautiful experience. Haley told us most couples now book an appointment together. “You can really learn what your partner likes. In the past, guys were expected to just know and keep everything a surprise. But many had no idea about cut, carats, clarity, or even their partner’s style—and it’s a major investment.”

Today, most won’t take that risk without some guidance. “It’s also an emotional investment,” Haley added. “So it’s important to come in together and enjoy the process.”

During appointments, Haley would ask questions, listen, and keep detailed notes on file. “Sometimes that’s all the couple needs in the first meeting. It depends on how involved each person wants to be. Some women want the final choice to be a surprise; others know exactly what they want and prefer designing the perfect ring together.”

Trying on different styles is key. “It’s always helpful to see what she likes on her hand,” Haley said. “It can look very different from what she’s bookmarked on Pinterest or Instagram.”

Pear-shaped diamonds remain in demand, along with “old mine” vintage elongated cushion cuts—thanks in part to Taylor and Kelce’s influence. Antique diamonds, however, are what Anne and Haley personally love. Over 100 years old and hand-cut, these stones offer a one-of-a-kind beauty. They often rework these heirloom diamonds into custom modern pieces for engagement rings or refreshed one of a kind keepsakes.

“Obviously they didn’t have laser machines a hundred years ago,” Haley explained. “So antique diamonds are more unique. They’re not perfectly symmetrical, and that echoes everything we love about our designs—even in our everyday pieces.”

Do they always know the history behind antique diamonds? “It depends on how the piece was obtained,” Haley shared. “If it’s purchased through an auction as part of an estate, we usually have good information. But once something has been taken apart, it can be harder to trace. Still, we can often identify an antique diamond from its cut.”

Are People Asking for Coloured Gems?

Diamonds remain the most requested stone, but sapphires did see a resurgence about two years ago, offering rich colours for clients who want something a little different. “You really have to love the colour,” Haley noted. Diamonds remain the more neutral choice—even though they also come in shades ranging from yellow to champagne to brown. Less traditional, but always beautiful.

Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamonds

Haley shared that there’s been a strong movement toward lab-grown diamonds, often for sustainability reasons. “There was some hesitancy at first, but they’ve gained a lot of popularity over the past five years,” she explained. Clients requesting lab-grown diamonds often come in specifically for them—especially during the recent trend for larger solitaires on micro bands. “But now that the market is saturated with that look, we’re seeing a shift in the opposite direction. People are scaling back a bit and leaning toward smaller stones and natural diamonds again.”

Lab-grown diamonds offer incredible brightness and sparkle, and Anne Sportun only uses high-grade stones. Are they real? Absolutely—they have the same hardness, brilliance, and chemical composition as natural diamonds. The only difference is that they grow in months, not millions of years, in a controlled environment.

Future is Beautifully Clear

As Anne and Haley continue shaping the future of the brand, their shared vision remains beautifully clear: jewellery should feel personal, intentional, and deeply connected to the lives of the people who wear it. Whether you’re choosing an engagement ring, marking a milestone, or simply treating yourself to something special, their pieces are designed to be lived in and loved for generations. Anne Sportun’s commitment to craftsmanship, authenticity, and “precious everyday” style is what keeps her work timeless.

Anne Sportun Atelier and flagship boutique is located at 742 Queen Street West, Toronto.

The post Jewellery Designer Anne Sportun Continues to Sparkle in Toronto appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

What is your business called and what does it do?

We are FTJCo Fine Jewellery, and we specialize in fine jewellery with integrity. We are an employee-owned, living wage certified, female run B Corp company, and we manufacture all our jewellery at our studio and retail location on Parliament St in Toronto’s historic Cabbagetown neighbourhood. We do everything jewellery, from full custom design to wedding band and engagement rings, and repairs and remounts.

What made you want to do this work?

When I graduated from my Bachelor of Fine Arts, I considered all the artwork I had been making and realized that goldsmithing would be a perfect fit; my work in school was very detail-oriented, often an amalgamation of many small details that came together to create a larger installation, such as a sculpture or drawing. I spent a lot of time in the metal and casting studios and felt very at home with those materials and ways of making. Once I had studied goldsmithing and was introduced to gemsetting. I knew immediately that this was the speciality I wanted to pursue. Setting a stone is like solving a puzzle, there are so many ways to do it, each stone is its own special challenge and it’s oh-so rewarding.

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

There’s no secret to our mission statement, it’s in our tag line: “Fine Jewellery with Integrity”.

We wanted to offer customers a true alternative to other fine jewellery brands, and integrity became our mantra. It means two things to us: Integrity of design and integrity of materials. Our designs are thoughtfully crafted to ensure that they will stand the test of time. You won’t see ultra skinny ring shanks, or barely set stones here, because we aren’t interested in making ‘disposable’ jewellery. Integrity of materials is where we truly stand out in our industry. We have been at the forefront of responsible sourcing since our inception. Jewellery supply chains are global and our materials have inherent value, so it is of the utmost importance to understand where these materials are coming from, under what conditions they were mined or grown, and who is profiting from their sale. Any claim we make we take very seriously, and we only make claims that are based on evidence.

When customers shop with us, they can be assured that we have done our homework and aren’t repeating unsubstantiated claims, while also having full confidence that their jewellery has been crafted to our meticulous high standards.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

We love love! As a Rainbow Registered business, we strive to serve all folks, whether that’s helping them find the perfect gift, an engagement ring that best represents their partner, or repairing their family heirloom. The majority of our business is engagement rings and wedding bands, so we are most often found helping couples pick the perfect rings to represent their shared lives and love.

We mostly serve the Greater Toronto Area, but we are always thrilled when folks come in from out of town, or make a purchase remotely because they’ve heard good things and want to work with us. We’ve received a lot of positive recommendations on Reddit from existing happy clients, and that kind of grassroots word-of-mouth promotion is one of the major ways new clients learn about us.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

We sell fine jewellery online through our website and in person at our retail store. We are focused on the customer experience, as evidenced by the many five-star reviews we’ve earned over the years. We work as a team and loop in our colleagues for technical or design consults to ensure we bring our best to every client project; having our goldsmiths and workshop within view of the showroom means that an expert is always near. This experience is underlined by a set of warranties and customer service policies that are unequalled in the industry.

Online, we’ve made a lot of investments in our site so that customers can use our Ring Designer tool to craft their dream ring design. Whether they purchase in-store or online, clients can monitor the production of their item as it moves through our workshop via our Project Status App.

Where in the city can we find your profession?

For us, Cabbagetown has always been our home, on the east side of Toronto’s downtown core. Since 2021, our address has been 576 Parliament St. We love the history, the iconic architecture and the beautifully diverse community we get to be a part of here. Our home is a renovated heritage row house from 1876, which originally housed a family-run hardware store that had operated since the early 20th century. Now it houses us, an employee-owned business, which feels like we’ve brought the legacy and spirit of the building into the 21st century.

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

“What’s your return policy? What’s your warranty policy?” If a company doesn’t have a good answer to those questions, there’s likely a good reason. Products that aren’t designed and made to last will often have short, limited warranties with little or no ability to return the product. In contrast, we have incomparable customer service, and we take great pride in taking care of our clients throughout the lifespan of their purchases.

The other key question we encourage clients to ask is, “Where did this material come from?” followed by, “How do you know that?” We are transparent about our sourcing, and will only repeat substantiated, evidenced-based claims of origin. In asking these questions, clients can be as informed as possible about the materials going into their jewellery, while also pushing the industry towards more transparency and better sourcing practices over all.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

The absolute best part of what we do is crafting objects that become such a big part of people’s stories. It’s a really special feeling knowing that the art we make is so closely linked to how they see themselves and move through the world. The absolute worst part is telling someone their heirloom piece can’t be repaired. Sometimes after years and years of wear, there isn’t enough metal left to make a repair last or to make it wearable. For those extremely sentimental objects, it’s best to love them from afar, wearing them on special occasions only, rather than every day.

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

How do you protect a jewellery store at night? You locket.

Where can we follow you?

We can be found on Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest. Our beautiful jewellery collection as well as all our services can be found on our website.

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?

We love Good Gang Ice Cream, so much so, that for the past two years, we’ve run a summertime promotion, offering clients a voucher for a free scoop of ice cream to enjoy after their FTJCo appointment. Good Gang has amazing Filipino-inspired flavours like Majicha Brownie and Cà Phê-Misu. Our shop dog, Letty’s favourite neighbourhood business is the Beastiary. She loves to shop for tasty treats on her way back to work after her lunchtime walks. They have a great selection of dog treats, as well as a wonderful selection of fish, amphibians, terrariums and other pet supplies.

The post Homegrown Business: Kesha Frank of FTJCo Fine Jewellery appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

What is your business called and what does it do?

Our business is called Anne Sportun, paying homage to my mother. We specialize in designing distinctive, handcrafted fine jewellery. Located on Queen West, our storefront doubles as a goldsmithing studio, where every piece is meticulously created. Additionally, we showcase the creations of other independent artists, ensuring a diverse range of styles and price options for our customers.

What made you want to do this work?

The inspiration stemmed from my upbringing, observing my mother’s multifaceted role in designing, crafting, and managing a thriving business. As I matured, she enlisted me as a sales associate, igniting my fervour for the jewellery trade. Witnessing the profound joy our pieces bring to individuals is immensely rewarding. Whether it’s an eternal engagement ring, a heartfelt gift, or a symbolic token of achievement, jewellery holds a deeply personal significance for each wearer. Collaborating with my mother to uphold her legacy fills me with infinite happiness.

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

Our aim was to provide exquisite fine jewellery that marries beauty with practicality—pieces meant to be treasured yet suitable for everyday wear. We wanted to offer fine jewellery that seamlessly integrates into daily life, enhancing every moment with elegance and sophistication.

Who is your clientele/demographics?

Our clientele spans from soon-to-be brides to independent women in their mid-50s to 60s who are purchasing for themselves. We curate our selection of designers to complement our own work, ensuring a diverse range of styles that appeal to everyone and anyone who appreciates unique and well-made jewellery.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

Our business generates revenue through two primary channels. Firstly, we retail handmade jewellery directly to consumers through our storefront. Secondly, we engage in manufacturing and wholesaling, supplying our creations to over 60 boutiques across North America. This dual approach allows us to reach both individual customers seeking our unique pieces and boutique owners looking to offer our designs to their clientele.

Where in the city can we find your profession?

You can find us at 742 Queen Street West, nestled in the vibrant Trinity Bellwoods neighbourhood, right in the heart of the city. Our location offers a convenient shopping destination and a charming area for leisurely strolls and good food.

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

The best question a prospective customer could ask is about the continuing support and the quality of our jewellery. In response, we proudly offer a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects, ensuring peace of mind for our clients. Additionally, we provide complimentary cleaning services with each visit and meticulously inspect stone settings for any issues. Should repairs be necessary, we handle them in-house at cost, utilizing the expertise of our skilled goldsmiths, some of whom have been with us for over two decades. Our commitment to traditional craftsmanship, including wax carving and moulding for each design, results in pieces that are handmade to last a lifetime and potentially become cherished heirlooms for future generations.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

The best part of what we do is fulfilling people’s dreams and witnessing the joy it brings them. It’s incredibly rewarding when customers return to visit us, whether to add to their collection, simply say hello, or have their jewellery cleaned. These moments are truly gratifying and reinforce the value of our craft. On the flip side, the challenge lies in the continuous rise of gold prices. Despite our efforts to maintain accessible pricing, the market’s upward trend presents an ongoing hurdle.

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

“I have enough jewellery.” – Said no one ever.

Where can we follow you?

We are active on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, and our entire collection is on our website!

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?

We have a fondness for the local clothing boutique, Gaspard! Their curated collection of high-quality clothing never fails to impress us.

The post Homegrown Business: Haley Woodbury of Anne Sportun appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Niki Kavakonis quickly caught worldwide media attention when she was part of The Nature of Diamonds exhibition that was organized by the Museum of Natural History in New York and travelled to various museums including the Royal Ontario Museum, Houston’s Museum of Natural History and Chicago’s Field Museum. Her “Tip of the Iceberg” ring was among the exhibition’s standouts. As many of her pieces are inspired by her love and studies of architecture and history, this particular work of art was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater house and features a stunning uncut, natural, Canadian mined diamond.  Niki was the only independent designer to be part of this exhibition. She explained that Canadian diamonds were relatively new to the global market and the exhibition curators were interested in the inclusion of a Canadian piece. “Canada at that moment, was the third largest producers of diamonds in the world. While they did have many Canadian faceted diamonds they were interested showing a Canadian diamond in it’s natural state. You rarely see diamonds that are uncut and they are particularly beautiful. One of the curators at the ROM had seen and knew my work knowing that I work with the diamonds in a way that most people had not seen before and that’s how I became involved with the exhibition.”

When I walked through the Niki Kavakonis studio there was a particular cuff bracelet that caught my eye as well. Niki explained that this stunner that is contemporary in feel with a playful nod (a tiny human being under the canopy), called “Ode to the Right Angle” is an award-winning piece and was inspired by Frank Gehry. It’s truly breathtaking but Niki reassured me that all her pieces, while gorgeous to admire, are wearable works of art.

But we knew very little about this internationally recognized, Toronto-based artist. Born in Toronto, to a Greek father and Finnish mother, Niki’s upbringing took her to 22 countries before she was even 11 years old. Her father, an accomplished architect, brought the family on his work travels which led to Niki’s many opportunities to learn about different cultures and arts. As a young adult, she took interest in jewellery making and studied at both George Brown College and OCAD following her undergrad studies in Art, Art History, Anthropology and Architectural History (including PhD studies) at University of Toronto.  Yet, she still considers her art mostly self-taught.

Another influence, Niki explained was a neighbour who lived around the corner from her, an artist named Kaz Nakamura and his daughter was Niki’s best friend growing up. She explained that she was always always at their house and was exposed to his beautiful paintings.When Niki started to teach herself how to paint, her first objective was to paint so well that you couldn’t tell if it was a magazine cut out or real paint and enjoyed experimenting with different canvases including waiting on leather. “I was a little bit “punky” in high school,” said Niki.

We moved onto each collection of work in the studio and I noticed that each was very different. Some were inspired by architecture while others were influenced by nature as well as asian themes. Each collection had a story.

Niki Kavakonis explains a few of her themed collection including one that was created for the same church that her father’s work is in for their 100th anniversary in 2007. “My father was also a sculpture and in the 60s he designed four plaques for St. Anne’s Church in Toronto and I have an example of what it looked like here in this space.  The pieces I had created were based on some of the decorations inside the church so it was a nice way to celebrate the church’s anniversary and my family’s art,” said Niki. Another great collection shown in her studio is the beautiful “Teardrops from the Sky”  inspired by Roman beliefs that pearls are considered the  teardrops of the Gods and represent missing someone. “They are emotional pieces,” explained Niki.

While admiring her work, it was interesting to note, and especially with the rings, is that each piece was designed to actually stand alone, literally. “They are individual sculptures and works of art. When you’re not wearing them they could be on display. The White Cap ring is inspired by a famous Japanese print of a wave that has been popular for both men and women and great for displaying.” explains Niki.

But looking closely, there are a few surprises in her work that may not be visible at first glance.  There is a collection that includes star rubies that are quite unique. Niki explains that if you hold the ruby up towards very bright sunlight or spotlight, a star will appear within. This is a natural feature that appears. Most rubies are now cut so you won’t see this incredible feature. “You may find this in one out of a hundred rubies out there but it’s rare to find them so clear. I look for these unique features and I think I’m not like other jewellery designers out there. I’m not only about aesthetics but I think the stone should be incorporated in the design. Because the stones are hand cut the likelihood of finding two identical are rare. You can actually see one on display at the ROM.”

Niki Kavakonis also explains about the beauty of an uncut Canadian diamond,  “when you look at it closely it appears to have an etched triangle on it. She explains that this is called a trigon that is a natural feature that my customers love to see. You can spend hours studying these endlessly. But what I love to teach people is that inside each uncut diamond that I use for the ‘Tip of the Iceberg’ ring is actually two diamonds. So, you’re actually getting a diamond that is over 2 carats. There is no cutting waste on this, very few people have actually seen an uncut diamond in a design.”

That original ring that was part of the exhibition is on display in her studio space and while it’s not for sale, she will re-create the design upon request. “What I like about this ring is that each diamond is unique. While it is inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, it is also a nod to the Group of Seven and Canada’s great white north. My intention with this design is to be able to show the full parts of the diamond as much as possible. I also wanted to create a contrast so there’s no pins or claws holding it in place. The roughness of the diamond against the rest of the ring is a contrast that is beautiful.”

Another unique diamond feature Niki had chatted about was the white male diamond that she has used in her Ice Floe, Blue ice necklace. What makes this diamond so rare is that it naturally goes fluorescent under UV light. She explains that the fluorescent property can be found in some diamonds but are hard to find. Only one-third of the world’s diamonds have this ability and some even consider it magical. While the most common colour while fluorescent is blue, they are sometimes also pink, orange or red.

Want to see more art by Niki Kavakonis? Visit nikikavakonisdesigns.com. Her studio is located at 2465 Bloor Street West, Toronto.

The post Niki Kavakonis Museum Worthy Jewellery Designs in Bloor West Village appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Six months ago, jewellery designer Karen MacRae and master goldsmith Sabrina Melendez (pictured with baby) opened their own shop, On the Other Hand Jewellery, in an adorable little store at 1015 Queen St E. just east of Pape.

The cute little stand-alone shop is surrounded by other great Leslieville stores such as Florabunda, Black Rooster Decor and the neighbourhood coffee staple, Te Aro. The venue’s new tenants specialize in designing and making custom engagement rings.

The store has been completely redone and features solid hardwood floors, beautiful Victorian wood trim and of course numerous display cases displaying ready to wear jewellery collections. This is the gallery where Karen and Sabrina display their art and the jewellery of other well known Toronto designers whose work they admire.

With a focus on ethically sourced and recycled materials, every ring, (necklace or bracelet) is hand crafted from solid gold or silver with a focus on simplicity and elegance.

Karen MacRae graduated from George Brown’s Canadian Jewellery Design program in 2003 and has since established herself as a top designer in Canada. She has sold her rings all over the world and has made some breathtakingly beautiful diamond engagement rings.

Late in 2016 Karen teamed up with Sabrina Melendez, a Master Goldsmith who graduated from Écoles des Arts Appliqués de Genève Tech in 2009. Although a few years younger, they are equals in skill and charisma and their partnership is a perfect marriage of skill and personality.

On the Other Hand Jewellery or just simply ‘OTOH’ as they call it, has been born after years of creating stunning custom pieces and fashion jewellery collections for other people’s online galleries and retail stores across Canada. Now, slightly more mature as artists and business people, they’ve bravely hung out their own shingle.

Karen and Sabrina excel at creatively exceeding their client’s expectations. This boutique Toronto jewellery store, On The Other Hand at 1015 Queen St E will surely add even more shine to Leslieville!

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