CLAIRE VESSOT

Situated along the border between Ontario, Canada and the state of New York in the U.S., Niagra Falls is a virtual natural wonder to behold.

Composed of Canada's Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and the American Falls, the wall of water has a massive expanse of six million cubic feet that falls every minute. Canada is also the home of featured jewelry designer Claire Vessot.

With a résumé that includes numerous awards, studies at Toronto's Ryerson University, an apprenticeship with one of Toronto's leading independent jewelers, and an enviable position with Montreal's Birks and Sons, Vessot has a simple design philosophy, "stay close to beauty."

Vessot poured her love for fashion design, illustrating, and painting into jewelry design, and ultimately developed a signature "dramatic style."

Fourteen years ago, in 1995, Vessot established her own company Vessot Designs, wherein she collaborates with numerous, Canada-based jewelry brands providing them with an array of creations.

Energetic and prolific, in recent years Vessot created an exclusive line of sterling silver jewelry for the iconic fashion publication ELLE called ELLE Jewelry.

"I find a global perspective on what is important," she says of the collections, "I have always wanted to design with sterling silver. The ultimate quality of these pieces is rewarding for me as an artist. All dimensions are considered in the very early stages of conceptualization, yet the overall creative process is intangible. Inspiration comes with impetus and evolves."

The clean, sophisticated items of ELLE Jewelry include the arabesque-like detailing of the Butterfly Wings Collection, along with the sleek, sculptural lines of the Unusual Twist Collection.

Vessot implements subtle accents of smoky quartz, red jade, rose quartz, ebony wood, leather, and black agate as contrasts to the high gloss, white metal. She also incorporates time-honored amulets, like hearts, keys, the fleur de lis, and the peace symbol.

"Holding these pieces in my hand after they have been molded, cast, and polished has a unique, pleasing feeling that is hard to forget," she says.


Vessot's list of awards includes the Diamonds Today National Award, Canadian Jeweler's Buyer Choice Award, the Diamonds International Award, and the AGTA Spectrum Competition Award.
________________________
Photo 1 (top right): Sterling Silver and Red Jade Hearts PendantPhoto 2 (bottom left): Sterling Silver Butterfly Wings Cuff