Squamish residents like gems under the tree
Roland and Susan Badke have owned Gem Jewellers on Pemberton Avenue since 1995. They moved here after buying the family business from Roland鈥檚 parents in the late 80s. It was originally located in Capilano, which Susan says was a lot like Squamish in the 鈥渙ld days鈥� with a community vibe and family atmosphere.聽
The lifestyle of Squamish residents means what sells is what works outdoors.聽
鈥淵ou have people who like nice things but they鈥檙e rough on them. So big fancy fussy rings where you can knock the head off them just won鈥檛 fly,鈥� Susan said.
Roland, a registered goldsmith and gemologist creates custom pieces. He starts with a customer鈥檚 nebulous or precise idea and creates a 3D video design, which is then 3D printed and waxed to caste.
鈥淩oland will talk to them about their lifestyle and look at their hands,鈥� says Susan. 鈥淎nd 20 years down the road, they still love it.
Though all retailers get busy during the holidays, what makes jewelry different is the emotion attached.
鈥淥ften people have stories behind what they鈥檙e buying,鈥� Susan says, 鈥渁nd that鈥檚 what makes it so different. Most people are just looking for something special for their loved one.鈥�
Diamond stud earrings are a crowd pleaser during the holidays because they鈥檙e classic and work outdoors, Susan explains. It鈥檚 the real planners who tend to order custom since it takes about four weeks, she added. 鈥淲e love it here in Squamish,鈥� Susan says. The family business looks forward to December and loves seeing the community grow, though she admits it鈥檚 hard to keep up sometimes.聽
鈥淲e thrive on doing one-of-a-kind things and we would love to produce faster but we can鈥檛.鈥澛�
Jody Sparkes, the owner of Studio Sparkes, says the volume goes up a lot around the holidays.聽
The Squamish resident always wanted to make jewelry after learning to bead on a First Nations reserve where she grew up.
After travelling the world, she opened her business selling handmade jewelry in craft markets, fairs, pop-up boutiques and in stores along the Sea-to-Sky Corridor. Her lightweight fringe earring was popular, but her new stud design is flying off the tables.聽
鈥淭hey鈥檙e such a popular solution for women who are sporty but want something from the collection that won鈥檛 get stuck in their helmet,鈥� she says.聽
This season she is fully booked at winter markets from Squamish to Alberta. Sparkes also does custom work and says it鈥檚 usually a sentimental piece for a loved one.聽
Custom orders ramp up over the holidays and jewelry making is incredibly precise so she has her work cut out for her.
