- Story by Sean McIntyre

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication

Asked about his pastimes, Brad Leith speaks of hobbies in quotation marks. ItB次元官网网址檚 inevitable, really, for someone who logs about 75,000 kilometres of air miles annually.

B次元官网网址淢y B次元官网网址榟obbiesB次元官网网址� are associated with my day job,B次元官网网址� says Brad, the designer at DuncanB次元官网网址檚 Impeccable Jewellery. B次元官网网址淭he process of our unique creations requires me to travel substantially and allows me to see locations most B次元官网网址榯ouristsB次元官网网址� would never venture to.B次元官网网址�

Whereas many people preserve souvenirs from distant and exotic locales on shelves or walls in their homes, BardB次元官网网址檚 treasures are displayed at Impeccable JewelleryB次元官网网址檚 downtown Duncan showroom. Step into the quaint Craig Street boutique to behold 70-million-year-old fossils or shards of volcanic rock that spewed through space following an eruption on the moon. In one display case are the remnants of a meteorite that collided into Eastern Europe nearly 15 million years ago. The emerald green rock was discovered in Bohemia (modern day Czech Republic) during the mid 18th century and has since become a valued stone among jewellery makers because of its distinctive translucence.

BradB次元官网网址檚 specimens are artfully arranged into eye-catching pendants, breathtaking necklaces and beautifully subtle earnings.

Nearby is a find Brad discovered during a tour of European auction houses. Roman glass was commonly used for ceremonial and decorative purposes across much of Europe in ancient times. When Brad happened upon a lot that included intact pieces and an assortment of broken artifacts, he couldnB次元官网网址檛 resist placing a bid. He won, and the result is an historic treasure repurposed as stylishly modern accessories that conjure the earliest days of civilization.

B次元官网网址淢y concept is that there arenB次元官网网址檛 many items that canB次元官网网址檛 be made into incredible and impeccable jewellery, and I find these items wherever I travel,B次元官网网址� he says.

Some discoveries emerge from extensive research, others are the product of chance. With time to spare between trade shows in Hong Kong and Bangkok, Brad once headed for CambodiaB次元官网网址檚 Angkor Wat, one of the worldB次元官网网址檚 largest religious monuments. While travelling to his destination through northeastern Thailand, he found himself with a long wait for his next bus in a dusty and congested border town. He headed to a nearby beach, where he met an awe-inspiring sight.

B次元官网网址淚 was literally the only person on that beach,B次元官网网址� he recalls. B次元官网网址淚 walked its entire length, and the shells that I was pulling off the beach were magnificent. IB次元官网网址檝e never seen shells in such abundance that were so magnificently beautiful.B次元官网网址�

Each of the shells contained a distinct collection of naturally formed crystals unlike anything heB次元官网网址檇 seen before.

After Brad crossed into Cambodia and toured the sprawling temple complex at Angkor Wat, he found even more glorious artifacts to behold. ItB次元官网网址檚 in places such as this, he says, amid timeless ruins and inspiring early architecture, that creativity emerges.

B次元官网网址淲hen I see these monuments of civilization, they give me the inspiration to fuel our design approach,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淎s a designer, you change as you have that emotional feeling.B次元官网网址�

Brad hasnB次元官网网址檛 always been an avid treasure hunter and globetrotting gem finder, but the Southern Ontario native has been travelling for much of his professional life. Prior to pursuing his creative tendencies, he worked as a jewellery wholesaler. HeB次元官网网址檇 travel across the country, from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland and back, twice a year, selling products to 300 stores.

Much of his time was spent supplying jewellers with a consistent and predictable product. While the quality was certainly consistent, Brad found little excitement in the homogeneity of the products he supplied. Electing to taking the giant leap into jewellery design about 20 years ago, he hasnB次元官网网址檛 looked back.

With a fondness for Impressionism, Brad is drawn to subtle variations in colour. In a sense, every stone he selects will speak to him through its distinctive hue. His task is to work with the stoneB次元官网网址檚 innate expression as he strives to create a masterpiece unlike any he has made before.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e always tried to make the stone the star,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚 think that when you make the designer the star, you often get something that no one would wear. To me, what we design is wearable art. For us, to see the faces of people when we finish or recondition a product is what itB次元官网网址檚 all about. ItB次元官网网址檚 always a thrill for me.B次元官网网址�

The shop in downtown Duncan has become the crowning achievement in a journey to make pieces that marry unique stones, inspired design and a craftsmanB次元官网网址檚 eye for quality.

B次元官网网址淲e design every piece, we pick every stone, import it and sell it. Lots of people do one of these or maybe even two, but very few do the whole process,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淲e do just about everything, and we do things that are different. We distinguish it from mass-produced product and get the opportunity to achieve some really interesting results.B次元官网网址�

BradB次元官网网址檚 design work is complemented by custom projects for clients in addition to restoration and repair services undertaken at the downtown location, where Impeccable Jewellery has grown to become a familiar landmark in a vibrant downtown core that values friendliness and service.

Brad says heB次元官网网址檚 thrilled to be part of downtown DuncanB次元官网网址檚 remarkable resurgence as a prime shopping destination. In a competitive marketplace, where small-town downtowns are in a constant battle with generic big box stores, Leith says, a personal touch and attention to detail is what has helped DuncanB次元官网网址檚 downtown thrive.

B次元官网网址淵ou have to get off the highway to get here, and I think thatB次元官网网址檚 why this downtown has preserved a little of the old feeling,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淭his is the best downtown business association that IB次元官网网址檝e ever been involved with. They work very hard at making the downtown successful. I think itB次元官网网址檚 a testament to them and a testament to the merchants that are down here. We all have the same mentality B次元官网网址� we emphasize service over anything else.B次元官网网址�

You can see more about Brad and .