Marigold Jewellery
Marigold Jewellery
Marigoldjewellerydesign.com
180 York St,Unit 101
Ottawa, On K1N 1J6
(613)562-2222
Interview: Michael Irwin
Photography: Marianne Rothbauer, Rothbauer Studio
You started working with gold and jewellery at a young age. What sparked this passion?
M: As a late teen, I had worked in a jewellery store as a sales associate, but it wasn’t until I saw a friend working at a work bench that my interest piqued. Growing up I loved any opportunity I had to be creative, and seeing that I could use my creativity to create jewellery really enamored me.
Did you know right from the beginning that this was your future?
M: Watching Goldsmithing for the first time was my light-bulb moment. I knew it was something that came naturally and I would love doing.
How did you branch into being in business for yourself?
M: My partner at time was repairing jewellery for local jewellery stores as a second job, so I began working with him in the evenings while working 9:00 – 5:00 myself. Repairing jewellery quickly became our full-time job, and after several years of repairing jewellery and teaching myself the trade I had developed the skills to open my own business.
Marigold does a lot of custom jewellery. How does your product and service come together as an experience for your clients?
M: Over the years I came to realize ring design and all jewellery design is more than just form and function. There is a third element, the relationship to the wearer. Similar to clothing it has to “fit” right. When it does you see it and feel it.
Marigold is GIA certified. Can you tell us what that means and is this a new offering for Marigold?
M: It simply adds another level of expertise in our already strong service portfolio.
When did Ali become your business partner?
M: Ali joined us in 2018, at the time he was studying to become a GIA certified gemologist. He completed his degree early this year and having a gemologist really makes Marigold as a full-service jewellery store.
Do you have a favourite gem?
A: I am definitely a huge fan of diamonds and that is the most common gem I encounter on the job. After visiting Sri Lanka last January I got to see some amazing Sapphires and Rubies which are actually the same species of mineral but are different varieties but the sapphires really stick for me.
Favourite piece of jewellery and why?
M: While I do love my award pieces, the jewellery I love most are the pieces that I make that my customers will love and wear all their life. After so many years of making and selling jewellery I have the pleasure to have clients return and visit still wearing and enjoying everyday pieces that I made 20 or 30 years ago!
When you aren’t busy with Marigold what do you do?
M: I love to play music and sing, and I play in a band “Nifty over Fifty”. If I am not playing music or practicing, I also love to garden, hang out with people I love and of course there are the glass of wine and Netflix nights.
What is your favourite Ottawa restaurant?
M: I love dine in the Byward Market, if I am looking for a casual night it would be MacLaren's Elgin. My son is a manager there, it is always a great excuse to see him.
We have a question for Ali. How did you first get into gemology?
M: I started my studies just over 3 years ago this was after working with diamonds for about 4 years (I worked with mostly watches before) , was trying to further my knowledge and arm myself with tools of the trade.
What is involved is becoming a gemologist?
A: The Graduate Gemologist Program with GIA is the first major step for any gemologist , the program usually takes approximately 2 years but after the program working in the field and on hand experience is the best teacher. I plan to further my education especially with Appraisals.
What future plans do you have for Marigold?
M: A big part of our future plans is to keep ahead of the changing the jewellery industry. A couple areas we have been doing so is by offering the most competitive diamond prices in the city, as well as focusing more on recycling gold and diamonds. As well as bringing in high quality designer lines of bridal jewellery to complement our own.
