More and more people are wanting fine jewellery that is unique and personal to them,” explains the friendly face of La Maison d’Or, Brent Harden. “They’re looking for something specific that no one else in the world has, that authentically reflects their personal style.”
What better place, then, to buy a one-of-a-kind item than at a one-of-a-kind jewellery store?
La Maison d’Or came to life in Hawkesbury in 1949. Since then, it’s grown from a modest family business into Ottawa’s most trusted jeweller. Nary an engagement, wedding, anniversary, or other special occasion has been celebrated in the nation’s capital without the invaluable contribution of La Maison d’Or’s knowledgeable, personable team. Harden’s trusted staff continues to honour the precedents of selection, service, and ongoing product care that were proudly established by his parents all those years ago.
These days, La Maison d’Or’s longstanding premium on variety includes the exciting expansion of its coloured gemstone line. One look at this extravagance of exceptional stones and customers’ eyes glisten like the product itself.
Gemstones are pieces of mineral crystal known for their robust character, vivid colours, and brilliant sheen. This billion-dollar industry is a historic one: Egyptians, Greeks, Vikings, Aztecs, Mayans—almost every great civilization has been bedazzled by these spellbinding stones. Historically, they’ve been prized for everything from tribal ornamentation to psychic prognostication.
While their modern value may be more less grandiose, it’s no less commemorative.
“Coloured gemstones and diamonds, because they have such a distinct look, can feel more special than just a traditional white diamond,” Harden enthusiastically explains. “There is a feeling of luxury that comes with high-quality gemstones, lending a more opulent feel to your engagement ring. Plus, with coloured stones, there is more of an opportunity for personalization: birthstones, favourite colours, and more, that can make a ring feel like it was truly made just for you.”
The counters of La Maison d’Or are filled with stones from every corner of the rainbow, with the most popular consistently being the “Big Three” of the gemstone world: sapphire, ruby and emerald. While it doesn’t take the commemoration of a birthdate to inspire a purchase, it remains the primary instinct behind the product’s procurement.
If you’re a September baby, then a classic blue sapphire is for you—and probably your offspring, as the durability of sapphires makes them ideal family heirlooms. In fact, they’re tied with rubies as the second hardest gemstone on the Mohs scale, right behind diamonds. This is a gift that will truly last forever!
If May is your month, you might opt for an emerald. Currently, they’re rarer than diamonds, adding to their already established uniqueness. Fun fact: They’re also one of the few gemstones that only come in a single colour, though they can vary from light green to a darker shade.
As for rubies, they can vary from pink to deep red. The most valuable are known as “pigeon blood” red (an expression with Burmese roots). Those with a birth date in July can boast of this bauble’s brilliance, durability, and, should they opt for a larger size, its rarity.
Such is the popularity of these singular stones that these days, coloured gemstone pieces are responsible for 30% of the company’s sales. Needless to add, it helps to make the longtime bond between La Maison d’Or and its trusted suppliers even stronger.
The company sources from local, Canadian wholesalers, some of whom they have been in business with for over 30 years.
After you’ve selected the gemstone or diamond of your choice (ask Brent about fancy yellow diamonds, his personal favourite), the team at La Maison d’Or sets about making your purchase even more personal, through a combination of your own imagination and their reliable expertise.
“Our custom work is truly like no other,” Harden proudly points out. That’s not simply pride of ownership talking: Every year, La Masion d’Or creates over 400 custom-designed pieces. Each is fashioned according to exact standards: After a detailed dialogue, Tammy, the company’s in-house designer, creates a precise sketch of the customer’s vision, bringing their ideas to prospective fruition. From there, a computerized rendering is realized, followed by a wax model that the customer can try on. It’s a truly bespoke experience as unique as the product that’s co-created.
Says Harden, “We’re always out to create a dream piece that says, ‘I’m one of a kind.’”
As is La Maison d’Or.
