Hi, I’m Taren Wilkins. I’m a gemologist and the owner and operator of Brockton Gems. We are a small Toronto jewellery studio specializing in pieces you won’t find anywhere else, including vintage engagement rings, fully custom engagement rings, and heirloom redesign projects.

As far back as I can remember, I’ve loved jewellery. As a small child I spent hours at my grandmother’s house designing and making spectacular beaded dangly earrings for her to wear to the grocery store — a request she happily obliged, even though, in retrospect, I wouldn’t say they were her style.

I continued to indulge my hobby throughout my life: creating bracelets to sell on Boulevard St. Laurent in Montreal while pursuing my undergraduate degree, and taking jewellery making courses at George Brown during law school as a creative outlet — until I finally decided to turn my love of jewellery into something more, leaving my job as in-house counsel for a large Canadian tech company to go back to school at the Canadian Gemological Association and write my gemmology exams in 2015, while pregnant with my son. I’ve never looked back. I truly love what I do and enjoy the relationships I form with my wonderful customers.

I personally work with each of my clients one on one from start to finish. Whether you’re purchasing a one-of-a-kind engagement ring online or visiting me at my studio to create a fully custom piece, I walk you through every step of the process. I’m also the one answering your questions and emails, sending your invoices and shipping you pieces. For each custom project, I design each piece and personally see your ring through each step of the the production and approval process to make sure you get exactly what you want. I bring my expertise and attention to detail to gem selection, design, and construction so you end up with the perfect ring for you. And if you visit my studio, expect a cozy, unhurried appointment —  no pressure, and never any expectation to decide on the spot.

MODERN VINTAGE AND CUSTOM

I started this journey specializing in vintage jewellery, and vintage engagement rings are still at the core of my collection. I noticed it was becoming increasingly difficult to find simple, sturdy and well-designed vintage pieces, so I decided to create some of my own, which I call modern vintage. These designs are clean, simple and modern while paying homage to traditional design and setting techniques and often incorporate repurposed antique diamonds, which I’m especially drawn to. Each antique diamond is over 100 years old — a little handmade work of art with its own character and unique sparkle. An exclusive collection of my one-of-one modern vintage pieces is available to shop online.

Alongside my vintage and modern vintage pieces, I also create fully custom engagement rings. Some begin with me sourcing a rare Canadian or antique diamond or an unusual sapphire. Others start with an heirloom stone that you want to incorporate into a meaningful new design. These heirloom redesigns are some of the most meaningful projects I take on — being trusted with a piece of your family’s history is something I never take lightly. Curious how a custom project works? You can see the whole process, step by step, on my custom page.

Whether a ring is vintage or custom, the goal is the same: to create or find a ring that is just right for you and designed to last a lifetime.

If you purchase any of my vintage or modern vintage pieces online or in store and decide you don’t love it, you can return it for any reason for up to a week (as long as you haven’t altered it or worn it, of course).

For all my custom projects, I promise you will love it. You get to choose your gem and also have the opportunity to view and approve a 3D wax model prototype of your design before it’s created in metal. Custom orders are final sale for obvious reasons, but rest assured, if for some reason it’s not exactly right, I will work with you to make it right.

Buying and creating local is important to me. All my custom and modern vintage pieces are designed by me in my Toronto studio and brought to life by my team of one — a master goldsmith with decades at the bench, working from his own workshop just down the street. I also source Canadian whenever possible and work with high-quality Canadian-based suppliers.

Appointments are available in Toronto or by video. Brockton Gems offers insured and fast shipping across Canada, the United States and internationally.