Specimental
Specimental is a Canadian jewellery brand and local Vancouver shop. Laura, the owner and designer behind Specimental, creates the most unique jewellery using raw gemstones and rough diamonds.
Scroll down to learn more about Laura and her journey getting started making jewellery and what her best selling pieces are. Her story is truly inspiring.
She creates the most unique Made In Canada jewellery we’ve ever come across.
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What inspired you to start your business?
I began Specimental in 2008 to both provide myself with an outlet for my interest in designing and building jewellery and to bring additional income to my family when my kids were little (I am also a teacher).
In 2011, we lost my husband to a sudden death in our home. This left me as the sole provider for three children aged 3, 5, and 6. At that point, I had to really ramp up the business in order to support my family as an only parent. Unexpectedly, Specimental became a critical part of me being able to get my legs under me again; my working hands gave me something to focus on beyond my loss.
Specimental has been an integral part of my family’s existence since then. The kids are now 18, 20, and 21, and it’s still just the four of us together. We depend on Specimental to keep us going.
How would you describe your business?
Specimental is a one-person show. With the exception of the odd part of production that I don’t have the equipment to do, every aspect of the designing and production of each Specimental piece is completed by me alone. I work with unusual gemstones, including rough diamonds and sapphires. The gemstones I use are as ethically sourced and traceable as possible. Whenever possible, I purchase my gemstones directly from miners and gemcutters. I only work in recycled, post-consumer metals. Knowing as much as possible about the materials I am working with is important to me and to my clients.
Every piece that I make is unique, as the vast majority of my work is fabricated (built by hand from cut, forged, and soldered components). If I am creating a piece that utilizes lost wax casting, the wax model is built by hand by me.
About 90% of my work is done for clients outside of Canada; it’s very unusual that I get to meet my clients face-to-face. So, it’s imperative to my process that I work closely with the client at every step of production. I send them multiple photos and videos of potential gemstones for their project. At each step of production, I update the client with photos, so we can ensure everything is looking exactly as expected. I don’t ship my completed work until the client has had an opportunity to approve final photos and videos.
When I am working with local clients, I meet with them as many times as needed to ensure their piece turns out perfectly. Nothing leaves the studio until the client is absolutely satisfied with the work. This is a very time-consuming process, but it is important to me that I ensure my clients are as involved and comfortable with the process from start to finish.
What’s your bestselling product?
My rings have always been my best selling pieces. They range from simple solitaires set with rough diamonds, to extremely complex stacking rings with multiple stones set into them.
Why do you think it’s so popular?
I think people come to me for my one-of-a-kind rings because this is what I am best known for making. I have a background in sculpture from Emily Carr, and rings to me are like little sculptures in the round. I thrive on technical challenge, so the more components the client wants included in their rings, the happier I am.
More than ever before, people want to know where their gemstones and their precious metals come from. Because of the way I source my materials and the supply chains I have been able to build over the years, my clients are assured of getting what they want as far as a unique ring that is built of materials that are as ethically sourced as possible.
What’s your personal favourite product from your shop?
My current favourite pieces in my shop are my one-of-a-kind rings made with the lost wax casting process. I’ve always shied away from utilizing casting in my work, even though I have taken classes in the technique. I finally made myself sit down this year and create two series of cast rings: one series in gold and the other in sterling silver. Being as focussed as I am on unique surface textures, lost wax casting has allowed me to do things in my work that I could not do using traditional hand tools.
What’s your favourite local Vancouver shop?
Innocent Ice Cream is a current favourite local business of mine. They are an independently owned shop, and they make the most delicious handmade ice cream and cookie sandwiches. Plus, a close friend of my middle kid’s works there, so I love that Innocent supports local youth by hiring them.
