About

Gold comes from the pure element Aurum and is caught up in stone deep below the surface of the earth. Ore deposits are formed through the imperceptible, aeonian shifting of the tectonic plates which, over millennia, are brought close enough to the surface for extraction. This process is elaborate and takes time, which means refined gold will always be highly valued, even more so when turned into intentional objects of beauty by the hands of skilled artisans.

Topaz is a precious gem stone that is found in a variety of colors from yellow to blue, brown, and rose red - blue being the rarest form. The word ‘topaz’ is thought to have a few different origins: Topazios, the ancient name of St. John’s Island in the Red Sea, known for the yellow gems mined there; an Arabic word meaning ‘subject of the search;’ or the Sanskrit word tapas meaning ‘heat’ or ‘fire.’

The poet Pablo Neruda wrote an ode to the beauty of topaz in his poem ‘El Topacio.’ It begins: "Whenever you touch topaz, it touches you: it awakes / a gentle fire, like wine awakes in grapes."� The topaz is a particularly captivating stone, having high qualities of color, clarity, and hardness. It is considered to be the birthstone for the month of December, and is given in celebration of 4th and 19th anniversaries.

Artist

As a child growing up in Genova, Italy, Laura Serrafero loved to draw and dance. She announced to her parents at the age of seven that she was going to be an artist, and has been designing her unique jewelry for almost 20 years.

Based in Toronto, Laura shares a work space and shop with her husband to showcase imported African art as well as Laura's designs. "We were not sure at first how it would be working together... But realized that we really enjoy it!" Laura says. In her time outside of the studio and shop, Laura enjoys the outdoors with her husband and daughter. She also loves Toronto's cultural offerings and can often be found visiting art galleries, museums, or the theater.

Details

• handmade with 14k satin-finish gold
• 4mm bezel set blue topaz in 5.5mm setting
• TLC for your satin-finish gold and precious gemstone jewelry